Javi Gracia’s Leeds reigned supreme in Molineux madness and climbed out of relegation

Javi Gracia smiled again with Leeds and distanced themselves from relegation after securing a much-needed victory on matchday 28 of the Premier League against Julen Lopetegui’s Wolverhampton. Harrison, Ayling, Kristensen and Rodrigo, who found the net again after injury, were the scorers for Leeds, who resisted a Wolves push in the second half and benefited from the dismissal of Jonny Otto, author of one of the goals in the afternoon.

The initial rain that fell at Molineux allowed a fast field to emerge, perfect for players like Gnonto. The Italian winger started like a cannon on the left side. After five minutes of play, he fearlessly tackled Semedo to reach the end line and put the pass back to Harrison, who finished in the back of the net for the second game in a row. Early goal for Leeds by Javi Gracia who struck first in the Spanish duel between the banks.

Afterwards, the locals claimed a penalty for an action involving two former Barça players. The seemingly possible demolition of Junior Firpo to Semedo did not want to teach the English referee. Lopetegui, drenched in the initial deluge, angrily protested a decision that was not shared by the fans either.

Wolves’ biggest danger was Daniel Podence, who broke through the defence, showing that he used both legs to perfection. Wolves, with crosses from Jonny Otto, came closer as the minutes ticked by. The depth of two full-backs invited Leeds to drop back, something Ruben Neves took advantage of to take the midfield in his recoveries.

Lopetegui wanted to blow up the match and brought on Sarabia and Collins after the break. What the Basque coach didn’t know so early on was that he would find himself against the ropes again in a corner. Marc Roca crossed long at the far post and captain Ayling, completely unmarked, came up with a header and slotted home the second goal of the afternoon.

It was a clear mistake by Joao Gomes that he was able to convert minutes later when a shot was saved under the visitors. At 0-2, Javi Gracia wanted to rest Gnonto and in came Rasmus Kristensen, who put the first ball he got his hands on inside. The Dane won the duel against Jonny after a cross and scored 0-3.

A defensive error led to the first goal for the Wolves. Jonny Otto took advantage of a mistake by Meslier early on to connect a long volley and close the gap on the scoreboard. 1-3 for some Wolves turned to the attack as the game broke down, looking for advantages for recently arrived Adama Traoré’s side. Outstanding performance for the Spaniard who, along with Lemina, kept the wolves at bay for many minutes and put Meslier in trouble, breaking the record for the youngest goalkeeper to reach 100 Premier League games (23 years and 16 that day).

In 73′ a rebound in the area fell to another revulsives put by Lopetegui in the second half. Matheus Cunha made it 2-3 after a shot that bounced off the visitor’s defense. And if Jonny Otto is one of the main characters for better, it is for worse. As Wolves went close, he was sent off at VAR’s request for a nasty tackle on Ayling.

There was time for Rodrigo Moreno to find the goal again. The Spanish international took advantage of Wolves’ lack of concentration, claiming a free kick to be left alone against José Sa, dribble past him and finish the game at 2-4. Lopetegui and his team showed their fury at the referee, culminating in the dismissal of a furious Matheus Nunes

In the end, Wolves’ momentum was not rewarded and Lopetegui’s team remained the same, in 13th position with 27 points, one more than Leeds, who with this victory climbed out of relegation and moved up to 1st. 14 seats. Javi Gracia’s second victory since he arrived on the bank of several ‘peacocks’ from less to more.