AliousWolverhampton Wanderers secured a crucial 1-0 victory over a 10-man Bournemouth side, extending their cushion above the relegation zone to five points.
Matheus Cunha’s first-half strike proved to be the difference in a tense encounter on the south coast, with the Brazilian finding the net just minutes after the hosts were reduced to 10 men.
The turning point came in the 31st minute when Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi was initially shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Rayan Ait-Nouri.
However, after a VAR review, referee Michael Salisbury upgraded the decision to a straight red, leaving Andoni Iraola’s side at a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the match.
Wolves wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity, with Cunha coolly converting his 13th league goal of the season.
His clinical finish marked his fourth consecutive game on the scoresheet, continuing his impressive form in front of goal.
Despite their numerical advantage, Wolves struggled to put the game to bed in the second half. January signing Marshall Munetsi, making his first start for the club, spurned a golden opportunity to double the lead, keeping the contest alive until the final whistle.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, failed to register a single shot on target after halftime, missing out on a valuable opportunity to break into the Premier League’s top four.
The defeat was a setback to their Champions League aspirations, while Wolves celebrated their first away league win of 2025—a vital result in their fight for survival, especially as relegation rivals Ipswich fell to a home defeat against Tottenham.
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