Wolves drew 2-2 against Nottingham Forest, with Matheus Cunha bagging a brace on his first start back after returning from injury.
A lively game saw Wanderers leave the City Ground with a point, having come from behind in the second-half.
Wolves took the lead in sensational style when Matheus Cunha picked up the ball from a Jose Sa throw, He ran a huge distance down the left side, before turning inside two defenders and unleashing a curling effort into the top corner.
Forest hit back through Morgan Gibbs-White – who else? – who provoked the travelling fans yet again with his celebration.
Forest went 2-1 up through Danilo, but Wolves showed good character in the second-half, with Cunha prodding in his second of the afternoon from close range.
The Brazilian has been missed a lot recently and it was fantastic to have him back in the side – and his Wolves teammates – including Pedro Neto – were clearly delighted by his return…
Pedro Neto and others react as Matheus Cunha scores brace for Wolves against Nottingham Forest
Cunha returned for Wolves against Burnley recently, and also got a cameo against West Ham United last weekend.
But yesterday Gary O’Neil decided he was ready to start, for the first time since coming back from his ‘significant’ hamstring injury.
And it was a good performance from the South American, with Wolves expectedly looking much improved with a more experienced forward up top.
Cunha’s first goal yesterday was absolutely amazing. He had no right at all to score from where he picked the ball up and having two defenders on him when he arrived at the box. On Sky Sports, pundit Clinton Morrison described it as ‘outstanding’.
Then, he showed good poacher instincts for his second.
He has taken his tally up to 11 Premier League goals for the season and 13 across all competitions, which is a fantastic return from a player previously questioned over his end product.
After yesterday’s game, Cunha took to social media to send a message to fans, writing ’10th and 11th @premierleague. Greatness in sports is built by several hours to spare’.
A number of Wolves teammates, plus Diego Costa, commented on the post:
- Pedro Neto – ‘Vamoooosss (Let’s go) Cunhaaaa 😍’
- Joao Gomes – ‘God is amazing bro you deserve it’
- Diego Costa – ‘🔥🔥👏👏’
- Santi Bueno – ‘💪🏼❤️’
- Max Kilman – ‘He is back 🔥’
What a boost it is that Cunha is back
Cunha is back with a bang for Wolves and with him, there remains an outside chance of European football.
The Brazilian has become such an influential player now for Wolves, and his absence through injury really strung the team. You can just see how much better Wanderers are when he plays, with his amazing ball carrying ability and much improved finishing.
Cunha’s return for Wolves has given the squad a lift when they most needed it.
O’Neil’s side have stuttered a little in recent weeks, but between the comebacks of Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan, Wolves are still in contention for Europe.