Matheus Cunha’s fourth goal in as many games earned Wolves a crucial three points in their battle for Premier League survival, as they triumphed 1-0 against 10-man Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The Brazilian striker’s goal came shortly after Bournemouth were reduced to ten men following a first-half red card for Illia Zabarnyi, and it proved to be the decisive moment in a match that saw the Cherries’ hopes of reaching the top four dashed.
Bournemouth, who had been aiming to move into a Champions League qualification spot, suffered only their second defeat since November 23. In contrast, Wolves seized the opportunity to extend their lead over the relegation zone, opening up a vital five-point gap to the bottom three. The win was a significant boost for Wolves, who have had a mixed start to the year, losing five of their six league matches since the turn of 2025.
The turning point in the match came just minutes after Zabarnyi’s dismissal. The Ukrainian defender was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Wolves wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, which was initially penalized with a yellow card but upgraded to a red after a VAR review. The decision proved costly for Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, who had started the match brightly, with Marcus Tavernier’s whipped shot signaling their attacking intent. However, their early promise was undone by the sending-off, and they struggled to regroup after the break.
Less than five minutes after the red card, Wolves capitalized on their numerical advantage. Nelson Semedo whipped a cross into the Bournemouth box, and despite James Hill and Dean Huijsen failing to clear the ball, Cunha pounced. The Brazilian coolly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, netting his sixth goal in his last four appearances and giving Wolves the lead. It was a moment of quality from Cunha, who has been in scintillating form in recent weeks.
Before the red card, Wolves had grown into the game. Semedo hit the base of the post with a left-footed shot, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s follow-up attempt was excellently saved by Arrizabalaga. At the other end, Justin Kluivert had forced Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa into a save, but Bournemouth’s attacking threat faded after the dismissal.
Wolves’ Cunha Continues Hot Streak with Match-Winning Goal
With the advantage of an extra man, Wolves took control of the game in the second half. Despite having a chance to double their lead when Marshall Munetsi guided a golden opportunity wide from Bellegarde’s cross, they always looked in control. Bournemouth had just one shot in the second period, highlighting the effectiveness of Wolves’ defensive organization and their ability to keep their opponents at bay.
Wolves arrived in Bournemouth in poor form, having struggled to pick up points since the start of the year. However, the visitors were buoyed by Cunha’s quality and the numerical advantage they enjoyed following Zabarnyi’s red card. Despite Bournemouth having pushed Liverpool close in a narrow defeat last weekend, this result showed that Wolves still have plenty of fight left in them, especially when they have a player like Cunha to make a difference.
Cunha has now scored 13 goals in the league this season, and his recent form – with seven goals in his last 11 games across all competitions – demonstrates just why Wolves were so determined to secure his future during the winter transfer window. His link-up play, movement, and technical quality were on full display throughout the match, making him a key figure for Wolves moving forward. The striker, who had already tested Arrizabalaga with a left-footed shot before his goal, is clearly a player who has settled into his role at Molineux and looks poised to help steer Wolves to safety this season.
For Bournemouth, the defeat was a harsh blow to their top-four aspirations, and the red card to Zabarnyi will be a talking point in the aftermath. Andoni Iraola’s side will need to bounce back quickly if they are to stay in the hunt for European football, but their inability to recover from the sending-off highlights the fragility that still exists in their squad. Wolves, meanwhile, will take confidence from this result as they continue their fight to stay in the Premier League, with Cunha’s form offering hope for the challenges ahead.
