Wolverhampton Wanderers claimed an important victory in their fight for survival in the Premier League with a vital 2-1 win at St Mary's against Southampton.
Despite the hosts making a bright start to the game, the visitors took the lead in the first half, when Jorgen Strand Larsen headed past Aaron Ramsdale after some poor defending from the Saints.
The Norwegian added a second early on in the second half, as Wolves appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory in Hampshire.
Southampton clawed one back through Paul Onuachu with 15 minutes to go, but the visitors held on for an important victory, as they moved nine points clear of the relegation zone.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
That game just about sums up Southampton's season - they started the game well and they could have taken the lead before Wolves had even had a shot.
The defending for Wolverhampton's first goal was exactly why the Saints have conceded so many this year, as both Bellegarde and Strand Larsen were given acres of space to assist and score the opener.
To Southampton's credit, they never gave it up, even at 2-0 and with the fans voicing their displeasure at the performance.
However, Wolves held on for a crucial win, and for all their efforts, the hosts could not rescue a point.
A return to the Championship appears imminent for Southampton, but Wolves distanced themselves from the relegation zone today, and they look as if they may well be staying up.
SOUTHAMPTON VS. WOLVES HIGHLIGHTS
19th min: Southampton 0-1 Wolves (Jorgen Strand Larsen)
© Imago
Wolves have the lead! The goal has come against the run of play, but Southampton have not helped themselves, as the defending was poor.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde receives the ball in space on the right-hand side, and he swings in a lovely ball to Strand Larsen, who has a free header to give the visitors the lead!
47th min: Southampton 0-2 Wolves (Jorgen Strand Larsen)
© Imago
Wolves win back possession from Ramsdale's long ball, and Bellegarde is on hand to provide the assist again, as Strand Larsen drags an effort into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.
75th min: Southampton 1-2 Wolves (Paul Onuachu)
© Iconsport
Game on? Tyler Dibling's effort crashes off the post, and Onuachu is there to convert on the rebound! Fifteen minutes to go, and the Saints may be back in this!
MAN OF THE MATCH - JORGEN STRAND LARSEN
© Imago
Strand Larsen and Bellegarde did the damage today, and the Norwegian netted a deserved brace to help secure a precious victory for the visitors.
Much of the talk before the game was about how Wolves would cope without the suspended Matheus Cunha, but Strand Larsen helped provide the goals today in the absence of the Brazilian star.
SOUTHAMPTON VS. WOLVES MATCH STATS
Possession: Southampton 60%-40% Wolves
Shots: Southampton 10-5 Wolves
Shots on target: Southampton 3-3 Wolves
Corners: Southampton 5-1 Wolves
Fouls: Southampton 12-13 Wolves
BEST STATS
Jørgen Strand Larsen has 10 G/A this PL season.
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) March 15, 2025
8 goals
2 assists pic.twitter.com/YKYC1BqIgO
📊Most #PL goals by summer signings:
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) March 15, 2025
10⚽️: Liam Delap
8⚽️: ⬆️Jorgen Strand Larsen⬆️
7⚽️: Dominic Solanke, Ismaila Sarr#Wolves #SOUWOL pic.twitter.com/UccX2RFzpC
A perfect cross, met by a perfect header 😮💨
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 15, 2025
Jorgen Strand Larsen places Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's pinpoint delivery into the far corner to put @Wolves in front #SOUWOL pic.twitter.com/pcx0mLYJ9q
GOAL!
— BlackWolf (@FPL_BlackWolf) March 15, 2025
Strand Larsen ⚽️⚽️
Bellegarde 🅰️🅰️#FPL #WWFC
Southampton are back in the game thanks to Paul Onuachu capitalising on Tyler Diblings effort that hit the post 👀 pic.twitter.com/CadazOJO5H
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 15, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
With an international break looming, both sides will not play again until the beginning of April.
Wolves return home to take on West Ham United at Molineux on April 1, while Southampton are back at home to Crystal Palace a day later.
Tom Humphrey
