Raul Jimenez stepped up to convert a stoppage-time penalty and deny Blackburn a stunning opening-night win as Wolves were held to a 2-2 draw in their first Championship fixture in eight years at Molineux on Froday night.
The result was not the statement Cesar Peixoto’s side needed on a night when the stadium crackled with expectation and Wolves made the brighter start.
Their return to the second tier after a miserable relegation season in which they collected just 20 Premier League points was supposed to be the beginning of an immediate bounce-back campaign.
Peixoto’s side went ahead in the 18th minute when Marshall Munetsi arrived from deep, collected a clever through ball from Fer Lopez and drove a left-footed strike past Balazs Toth.
Blackburn had other ideas. Tony Mowbray’s side, who narrowly avoided Championship relegation last season, have added quality in Sam Morsy to their midfield and showed the resilience that kept them up.
Sean McLoughlin levelled in the 27th minute, rising to meet Ryoya Morishita’s cross from the right following a corner and sending his header into the net.
Blackburn stun Molineux
The visitors then did something few would have predicted before kick-off: they took the lead. Three minutes into the second half, Oladapo Afolayan drove at the Wolves backline and squared for Andri Gudjohnsen, who swept a composed left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Wolves chased the game in increasingly frantic fashion. Munetsi forced a save from range, Tommy Doyle lifted a gilt-edged chance over the bar when it seemed easier to score, and Kierian Trippier probed repeatedly down the right without finding the right ball.
Mateus Mane was shown a yellow card for simulation in the 52nd minute and hauled off at the hour mark, replaced by Jimenez.
The Mexican’s presence proved was the needed boost, if not in the manner Peixoto might have scripted.
With the clock deep into added time, Ryan Alebiosu stretched to block a low cross and the referee pointed to the spot after the ball struck his outstretched arm.
Jimenez, ice-cold on his first competitive outing of the season, dispatched the penalty to earn Wolves a point and spare their blushes.
You Should Also Read
