WOLVERHAMPTON, Feb 20 ― A freakish own goal by goalkeeper Illan Meslier gave Wolverhampton Wanderers a 1-0 home win over Leeds United in the Premier League today and enabled them to leapfrog their opponents in the standings.
The result left Wolves 11th on 33 points from 25 games, one more than 12th-placed Leeds who have a game in hand but missed several chances to come away with something from a fast-paced encounter at Molineux.
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa was adamant his side were not outplayed, although he rued profligacy up front.
“There were only a few moments in the game where we didn't dominate,” he told BT Sport.
“The offensive game we had was sufficient to score at least one goal and in a game of small margins I had the feeling we were the superior side.”
An action-packed first half saw Meslier parry two shots by Nelson Semedo after Pedro Neto had him at full stretch with a long-range pile-driver, while Mateusz Klich hit the post from a tight angle at the other end.
Leeds came agonisingly close to taking a 63rd-minute lead as Wolves keeper Rui Patricio superbly kept out a close-range header by Patrick Bamford, with the follow-up cleared off the line by a home defender.
They were punished barely a minute later as Adama Traore beat two markers with a jinking run and his thunderbolt from 25 metres cannoned off the woodwork before it hit Meslier in the back and rolled into the net.
Bamford had a clinical finish from inside the penalty area ruled out for marginal offside after a VAR check in the 79th minute as Leeds pressed in search of an equaliser.
Patricio then pulled off a pair of vital saves in stoppage time, keeping out a Helder Costa shot with his feet when the Leeds substitute was through on goal before he tipped a Raphinha header around the post.
Neto was pleased with the outcome and stressed Traore deserved all the credit for the Wolves winner.
“The goal was unlucky (that Traore didn't score himself) because it was a great shot and he did a great job,” he told BT Sport. “We are working very well. It was important to keep a clean sheet so we are happy.”
Wolves captain Conor Coady told the BBC: “A huge win against a real top team. We want to keep improving every game. We enjoy tonight, it was a fantastic performance. It was a fast game and a tough one to play in.” ― Reuters
