Molineux is a fortress: Five things learned as Wolves condemn Burnley to another defeat

After a hard-fought contest at the Molineux, Wolves clinched a 1-0 victory over Burnley.

The first half was relatively subdued with both sides entering the half-time interval stalemate, though were it not for some brilliant goalkeeping from Joe Hart, Wolves should have broke the deadlock during the first 45 minutes.

However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men came out after the restart and continued pressing, eventually being rewarded for their hard work after Raul Jimenez opened his account with a brilliantly timed strike past a hapless Hart.

Sean Dyche’s men rarely tested Rui Patricio in the Wolves goal, and the newly-promoted side held out for a deserved victory, making it back-to-back wins for the club.

So, with that in mind, what five things did we learn from the match?

1. Molineux a fortress under Nuno Espirito Santo

Having already hosted, and picked up points, against an in-form Everton and Premier League champions Manchester City at the Molineux this season, Wolves have now extended their unbeaten run on home turf to three matches.

This should come as no surprise considering Wolves lost just twice at home last season in the Championship – a 2-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest and a 2-1 loss to Cardiff City – while today’s win now extends Nuno Espirito Santo’s home record to 19 wins, eight draws and just the two league defeats since joining the club.

It is clear that the imperious home form of Wolves will stand them in good stead for their return to top-flight football, and not many teams will leave the West Midlands having picked up points this term.

Espirito Santo has transformed the Molineux into a fortress, a bastion of stability and progress, while he has also built the foundations for a very organised and tactically disciplined side that will stifle a number of clubs this campaign.

2. Joe Hart proving his worth

Hart has endured a tumultuous few seasons since Pep Guardiola cast him aside during his maiden campaign with Manchester City, but the England international is now starting to find his feet in Lancashire under the tutelage of Sean Dyche.

The 31-year-old would have been fearing the worst towards the closing stages of the Premier League last term after falling down the pecking order at West Ham which saw him finish the season on the periphery of first team action, as well as playing second fiddle to Adrian.

But since signing permanently for Burnley over the summer, Hart has shown immense dexterity between the sticks and is beginning to rediscover his former form; on the evidence of this afternoon’s match, it may not be long before he is reinstated into the England fold.

Wolves threw the kitchen sink at Hart in the first half, but he was equal to their efforts, pawing away a number of shots fired in his direction, but he could nothing as Raul Jimenez opened the scoring this afternoon, though Wolves could easily have score three or four were it not for Hart.

3. Barnes’ goalscoring drought continues

Ashley Barnes has now failed to score in his last nine matches this season, netting just once this term in the Clarets’ opening match against Aberdeen during the preliminary stages of the Europa League.

Since then the Bath-born marksman has fired nine consecutive blanks with Burnley having just scored the three goals in their opening five Premier League matches.

The 28-year-old has never been a great scorer of goals, but the 10 he scored last campaign helped guide the Clarets to an immensely impressive seventh place finish, as well as firing them into the Europa League.

However, Sean Dyche’s men have struggled to find the back of the net this term, with Barnes’ own record epitomising their woe. If the club are to have any chance of salvaging their season, Barnes’ former goalscoring form will go a long way to alleviating the frustration currently presiding over Turf Moor.

4. Europa League a poisoned chalice for Dyche

Burnley are seriously struggling to recapture the form that delighted many last season, and it now looks as though the heavy fixture schedule of Europa League qualification has already burnt the Clarets out.

There has been much discussion about the impact of a heavy schedule on Harry Kane in recent weeks, well, the same appears to resonate with Burnley as they have already played 11 matches this term, nearly double that of most clubs in the Premier League.

Having suffered elimination at the hands of Greek outfit Olympiacos last month, Sean Dyche can now steer his focus in the direction of domestic success and look to guide the Clarets back up the Premier League table.

This afternoon Burnley looked tired and were run ragged by a Wolves side who base their game on using the full width of the pitch; in truth, the scoreline flattered the Clarets, and Wolves should have been out of sight were it not for the exploits of Hart.

5. Adama Traore is a freakishly good impact sub

With Burnley staring down the barrel and having endured 66 minutes of running around trying to claim the ball off a dominant Wolves, the last thing the travelling fans wanted to see was the introduction of pace-merchant Traore.

A fortnight ago, the former Barcelona winger caused a stir in east London after his late introduction sparked fear into the eyes of an exhausted West Ham side, and it was his last minute goal that snatched three vital points for Wolves.

Again this afternoon, the 22-year-old entered the fray in the second half looking to inject pace and venom into his Wolves side, while also capitalising on a very weary Burnley side who were already struggling to claim possession.

While he may not have had the same impact as his performance two weeks ago, there is no denying his ability to turn a game on its head when he enters the field. His hulking frame is in the mould of an Olympic sprinter, and he will prove to be a very astute signing this season.

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