Raul Jimenez's first goal since suffering fractured skull extends Southampton's winless run
Jeremy Wilson
·19-min read
Jimenez's last goal for Wolves came in October 2020 - GETTY IMAGES
Mexican, in sixth game back since serious head injury, scores skilful solo winner in 61st minute
Southampton have first-half goal disallowed for offside and unable to convert chances
After six games, Ralph Hasenhuttl's team are yet to win in the league this campaign
It is 301 days since Raul Jimenez was rushed to hospital with a skull fracture and a bleed inside his brain following a sickening clash of heads with David Luiz. Emergency surgery followed and the candid view of his doctors was that it was a “miracle” even that he survived. Jimenez, though, did more than survive. He has returned to the Premier League and, after 61 minutes of a match otherwise frustratingly short of attacking quality, he was also back doing what he does best.
His goal was not just Wolverhampton Wanderers’ winner. It was not just a finish oozing with individual class. It was the culmination of a personal comeback since the horrifying moment last November when, in his own words, it was “lights out”.
This had been Jimenez's sixth game back and, again playing with a head-band that contained reinforced padding, he secured the three points after single-handedly beating Southampton centre-backs Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu before calmly side-footing his finish past goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. He celebrated in front of Wolves’ ecstatic away fans, punching the air repeatedly and leaping off the ground in a spontaneous outpouring of joy. “I was thinking, 'when will the goal come?’” he admitted. “But I was fighting for it, working for it and all the team deserve it.”
Jimenez's goal oozed individual class - GETTY IMAGES
The Wolves fan responded vociferously. They had been chanting a chorus of “Si Señor” for their 30-year-old Mexican striker even before kick-off and were still going long after the final whistle. Wolves manager Bruno Lage said that the victory belonged to both Jiménez and the supporters but also repeatedly stressed the need to now maximise the momentum. Lage, who has known Jimenez from their time together in Portugal with Benfica, added: “I think it is a good example you can be a star player and a good man. After he scored the goal, he spent 20 minutes running and pressing to help the defenders. It was a special goal for Raul. What I saw since the first day was a guy with a big ambition to come back, play and score goals for us. But tomorrow is another day and he knows he must continue.”
Wolves had previously scored only two Premier League goals all season - of which one was an own goal - but had created a wonderful chance to improve that tally within seconds of kick-off. A swift exchange of passing saw Nelson Semedo released down the right but McCarthy stood up strongly to both narrow the angle and block the shot.
It would prove to be the best chance of a first-half that contained plenty of crisp intricate passing, especially from Wolves, but a mutually limited cutting edge.
For Southampton, Tino Livramento was again providing the most eye-catching moments with his powerful runs down the right but the stand-out moment of attacking quality - when Nathan Redmond controlled the ball on his chest, swivelled and 'scored' - was rightly ruled offside.
Summer signing Tino Livramento once again stood out for Southampton - GETTY IMAGES
There was an added urgency about Southampton early in the second half and Livramento was again central to their best attacking moments. Sprinting forward from right-back, he collected Adam Armstrong’s pass along the penalty area and forced an excellent near-post reflex stop by Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa. The Wolves goalkeeper than followed that up with a superb double save to deny Mohamed Elyounoussi and then Che Adams from the rebound.
With Southampton pressing from the front, Wolves were certainly creaking but they then benefited from an unusually ‘route one’ build-up. A long kicked clearance by goalkeeper Sa was well judged by Jimenez, who then seemed to simply outmuscle Bednarek. He surged forward into the inviting space, gliding outside Salisu before then brilliantly turning back inside Bednarek and finishing beyond McCarthy.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl responded by bringing on Moussa Djenepo, Armando Broja and Shane Long in quick succession. Long did go close but his shot was blocked and, following the summer sale of Danny Ings, questions persist about whether Southampton have enough goals to avoid a relegation fight.
After six games now without a win, there was audible disapproval from home fans on the final whistle. Hasenhuttl was clearly frustrated by the "naive" defending for Jimenez’s goal but also did not hide from the three game wait now for a Premier League goal. He argued that “the only thing missing” in recent weeks has been “the punch to kill the opponent”. Performances have indeed been better than results suggest but the Premier League remains an unforgiving arena. It is also Chelsea away next.
03:08 PM
Worth posting the goal again: A very special solo effort; his first league goal in 336 days
🐺 𝙅𝙄𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙀𝙕 𝙄𝙎 𝘽𝘼𝘾𝙆 🐺
🗣 "That is sensational... He's got no right to score from there! Outstanding strength, balance, skill and finish!"
FULL TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 0-1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
A special match-winning moment from Raul Jiménez proves the difference here today.
Lots of half chances from both sides, but a lack of clinical finishing all round.
It took a moment of magic from the man who suffered a horrific head injury against Arsenal last November to break the deadlock and allow Wolves to double their points tally.
Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers. - Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers. - Steve Bardens/Getty Images
02:54 PM
94 mins
Jimenez is almost in again there! In a similar fashion to his goal, the ball comes over the top to him from the back, and he gets past his man. He's one-on-one with McCarthy with very little space.
He feints, but McCarthy makes himself big enough and there's no way through. Wolves corner.
02:51 PM
90 mins
Six minutes of added time here at St Mary's.
02:50 PM
89 mins
Djenepo has looked lively since coming on. He's managed to get a few crosses into the Wolves box, but that defensive back three of Kilman-Coady-Saiss is too strong.
02:47 PM
86 mins - subs
A double change for Wolves.
Hwang and Semedo are off; Neves and Hoever come on.
Djenepo gets a shot away! He works the ball in down the left and cuts inside once in the box. There are plenty of Southampton shirts in the box but he decides to go for it on his right foot and it looks like it takes a deflection off Saïss to go out for a corner.
02:41 PM
80 mins
The ball drops to Long just a few yards out after Salisu manages to whip it in, but he's under pressure and he stabs it wide.
The pressure is building for Wolves as we enter the final ten minutes.
02:38 PM
78 mins
A little slow at the moment from the home side. They need to move the ball into the final third with more urgency if they're to get something out of this.
They've had plenty of the ball this second half, but they're not making the best of it.
02:36 PM
75 mins
Southampton are one-on-one after a deflected defensive clearance, but Jose Sa is out the traps quickly to snuff it out. Great decision-making from the Wolves goalkeeper.
02:33 PM
73 mins - sub
The final one for Southampton. Walker-Peters is off and is replaced by Long.
60 mins - GOAL: SOUTHAMPTON 0-1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
JIMENEZ! He's back. A long ball from the back comes straight to him, he twists, he turns, he shimmies past his two defenders and keeps his cool to drive the ball past McCarthy.
The deadlock is broken, and Traore is about to come on.
02:18 PM
58 mins
Jimenez with a low ball in for Wolves from the right, but there are enough Southampton shirts in there to keep Podence and Hwang at bay.
02:16 PM
55 mins
They're knocking again! Elyounoussi gets a shot away and Sa smartly saves. Adams is there to pounce, but Sa's able to claw it away.
It looks like Adams was offside anyway, but Southampton are looking closest to breaking this deadlock.
02:14 PM
54 mins
Livramento gets a shot away on the right hand side, but it's well saved by Sa! The closest chance yet this half for the Saints. They're looking strong up that right hand side.
02:12 PM
52 mins
We're up the other end for a Southampton corner now after Sa fails to keep Redmond's deflected shot in.
02:11 PM
51 mins
Moutinho is hobbling after Ward-Prowse stamps on his foot. No foul, and onto a Wolves corner.
Taken short, Hwang gets a shot away, but it's blocked well by Adams. Dendoncker gets a follow-up away, but that's blocked and cleared too.
02:09 PM
49 mins
It looks like Adame Traore is beginning his warm-up...
02:07 PM
47 mins
Some nervy passing around the back for Southampton as McCarthy just manages to get his pass out before it's pounced on. The story of the match so far.
02:04 PM
And we're back
The second half begins.
02:03 PM
Out they come for the second half
Traore is sure to come on at some point. Wolves need that injection.
Both sides have had their chances, but neither has been able to convert a promising situation into something more.
Southampton went closest with that offside goal, but other than some sloppy play from Sa, both goalkeepers have remained largely untested.
St Mary's. - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
01:48 PM
44 mins
Southampton knocking here, but a couple of crosses are quickly denied - one from Livramento on the right, the other from Walker-Peters on the left.
They've had the better of the first half, but they've barely made Sa break a sweat.
01:46 PM
42 mins
Wolves corner from the left side of the Southampton goal. Can they nick something just before half time?
In it goes, but it's not the best delivery and it's easily cleared. Wolves build from the back once again.
01:44 PM
40 mins
Sa taking unnecessary risks at the back - and he almost pays for it this time as he only just manages to scramble to ball away. A thunderous drive is unleashed, but it's straight at him. Sa off the hook for now.
01:42 PM
39 mins
Offside goal! Redmond with some clever movement into the box, but he's gone too early. The flag comes up early and there's no need for a VAR review with that one.
01:41 PM
39 mins
Livramento with a dangerous ball in across the box, but in the end Adams was just a fraction too slow to get to the cross.
01:40 PM
36 mins
Ward-Prowse with a perfect delivery into the box from a right hand side free kick, but no-one is there to get on the end of it. It comes back out to Romeu who lets rip... but that's high and wide from the central midfielder.
01:38 PM
34 mins
A strong period of possession for Southampton sees a couple of looping crosses into the Wolves box, but they're easily dealt with.
Back they go again to start another attack, but they're not able to threaten. Sa is barely being tested.
01:36 PM
32 mins
Lots of passes into space for Wolves, but no-one is getting on the end of them. Possession still being lost too easily.
01:32 PM
28 mins
An Adams shot at the other end is far too tame to trouble Sa. He needs to do better than that.
Lots of opportunities for both sides, but neither are able to capitalise.
01:30 PM
27 mins
Jimenez pounces on a defensive mistake and is almost in on the Southampton goal mouth, but he's not quite quick enough and gets muscled out the way. Southampton are let off the hook.
01:29 PM
25 mins
Jimenez is ready to pounce. He's getting into some good positions in the Southampton box, but Wolves are struggling to get the right crosses in. They're losing possession too easily in that final-third.
01:26 PM
22 mins
Scrappy at the back for Southampton. Podence creating trouble, but the Saints are struggling to clear their lines.
Both sides making mistakes... who will break first.
01:23 PM
21 mins
Some good work up the left between Redmond and Walker-Peters. Redmond gets the delivery into the box, but no-one's able to get on the end of it.
01:22 PM
18 mins
Podence with a curling cross into the box from the right, but that's an easy hold for McCarthy. Right idea, but better execution needed.
01:19 PM
15 mins
Semedo and Podence try linking-up in a nicely worked routine. Podence gets into the box and Semodo gets it to him, but he's got too little space to do anything. Saints get possession back.
A lot of turnovers in this game so far, both teams getting into this.
01:16 PM
12 mins
Southampton looking positive going forward, particularly up this left hand side. Walker-Peters gets on a run into the box, but his cross is blocked. Armstrong has another go moments later, but runs into trouble.
A pacey start to the game. Despite that close early chance from Wolves, Southampton have had the upper hand so far.
01:13 PM
10 mins
A couple of sloppy mistakes by the Wolves defence has almost allowed Southampton to capitalise. They're going to have to tighten up.
01:09 PM
5 mins
Southampton build, resulting in an early free kick on the left hand side. A diagonal delivery, with the big men peeling around the back to try to head into the feet of a waiting Salisu. But that's too close to Sa.
01:05 PM
2 mins
A clash of heads leaves Elyounoussi and Marçal on the floor.
A brief stop to check for concussion - it looks like they're ok.
01:03 PM
1 mins
Semedo with an early shot after darting into the box. He strikes it cleanly, but it's straight at McCarthy.
01:01 PM
Kick-off!
And we're away. Wolves kick-off.
12:59 PM
And they're out the tunnel
Just couple of minutes to go here at St Mary's.
12:57 PM
Just a few minutes to go now; a reminder of today's line-ups
The players complete their warm-ups on this stunning day on the south coast
Adam Armstrong of Southampton warms up prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's Stadium. - Steve Bardens/Getty Images Joao Moutinho during the warm up before the match. - REUTERS/David Klein Fans make their way to the stadium ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers - Steve Bardens/Getty Images
12:47 PM
Bruno Lage on those changes... upping the firepower?
Speaking with Sky Sports, here's what the Wolves manager had to say about the decision to make three changes to last week's defeat to Brentford:
The most important thing is what the players are giving every moment. Daniel [Podence] did well, Hwang [Hee Chan] did well, but so did Adama [Traore] and Ruben [Neves], but our job is to take decisions as we are playing for the second time in three days, against a strong opponent, and I take the best decisions for this game, that’s why Daniel, Hwang and Leander [Dendoncke] start the game today.
We need more goals from Daniel, from Raul [Jiménez], because in the past the goals have come from Ruben and Pedro [Neto], so we need more guys in the box and then need to create a higher average of goals.
12:34 PM
Southampton make just one change to the team that came back with a draw from the Etihad
Defender Jack Stephens, who suffered a bad knee injury in that game, is replaced by Mohammad Salisu.
He's expected to be sidelined for around three months in a development that will concern manager Ralph Hasenhuttl who has turned-around last season's leaky defence.
12:25 PM
Bruno Lage rings the changes
Ruben Neves is dropped in favour of Leander Dendoncker, who impressed with a goal of assist midweek in the Carabao Cup and will make his first league start of the season, while Hee Chan Hwang and Daniel Podence replace Francisco Trincao and Adama Traore.
Leander Dendoncker of Wolverhampton Wanderers passes the ball during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur. - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images.
Here's what we know in terms of injury news so far
Southampton: Jack Stephens is facing around three months on the sidelines due to the knee problem he suffered against City. Midfielder Stuart Armstrong also remains out with a calf muscle injury, while forward Theo Walcott has returned to training following a similar issue but will take time to regain full fitness.
Wolves: Defenders Yerson Mosquera and Rayan Ait-Nouri are both ruled out. Jonny and Pedro Neto remain out with knee problems.
11:52 AM
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the early afternoon kick-off in the Premier League
Wolves make the trip to the south coast to face a Southampton side that sit just one place ahead of them in the table. Both occupy positions dangerously close to the relegation zone and a win for either side would dissipate pressure at this early stage in the season.
Southampton are yet to win this season, but have picked up four draws against tough opposition, including holding Manchester City to a goalless draw at the Etihad last weekend.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is satisfied with his side's start but admits an imminent victory is required.
"You can see that with one point always you don't make really big steps forward," said the Austrian.
"It's important that we have always a chance to win, to prepare as good as possible, and then it's not always so important who the opponent is.
"When you see Man City, Man United, we had so far very strong opponents and always took points, so this is good, definitely - only one loss so far.
"This is a good opportunity (against Wolves) but we know that the last two games at home we lost against this team so it will be a tough, tough, tough game, with 90 minutes of full concentration (required)."
Southampton also failed to score in their last two top-flight games, albeit against clubs who finished sixth and top respectively last season.
Yet, with only relegated West Brom conceding more goals than his side during the 2020-21 campaign, Hasenhuttl was more keen to focus on defensive improvements.
"It's right that in the last two games we haven't scored - we had in both games our chances," he said.
"But after last season the main target was definitely our defence work.
"It is important for me that it looks that we have found a way to defend that give us more stability, gives us more chances of having clean sheets."
Southampton's new-found defensive solidity suffered a setback with the news that Jack Stephens is facing around three months on the sidelines due to the knee problem he suffered against City.
Saints midfielder Stuart Armstrong also remains out with a calf muscle injury, while forward Theo Walcott has returned to training following a similar issue but will take time to regain full fitness.
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