Vitor Pereira enjoyed a dream debut as Wolves head coach, guiding his side to a commanding 3-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday, ending a run of four consecutive defeats.
Goals from Gonçalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes, and Matheus Cunha during a decisive 25-minute burst in the first half secured a much-needed win for Wolves. Pereira, appointed on Thursday to replace Gary O’Neil, could hardly have asked for a better introduction to Premier League management. The result moves Wolves to 18th in the table, just two points shy of safety. Ironically, it is Leicester—who have now conceded seven goals in two games—occupying the spot directly above the relegation zone.
Pereira’s tenure nearly began disastrously, as Leicester immediately went direct to Jamie Vardy. The striker’s attempted poke past an advancing José Sá was blocked outside the box. While VAR briefly reviewed the incident, it ruled out any handball involvement from the Wolves goalkeeper.
From there, Wolves seized control and delivered an electrifying first-half performance. Guedes opened the scoring, showing strength and composure to shield the ball from Jannik Vestergaard before tucking it in from a tight angle. Moments later, James Justin’s defensive lapse allowed a long ball to bounce, gifting Rodrigo Gomes the chance to nip in and calmly slot past the stranded Danny Ward.
Leicester dominated possession in the second half and repeatedly looked for Vardy with long balls over the top, but Wolves’ defense held firm. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes side struggled to find creativity or cutting edge in the final third, making their efforts increasingly predictable.
Wolves, meanwhile, remained composed and could have added to their tally late on. João Gomes came closest, meeting Cunha’s teasing cross with a stooping header that went narrowly wide. By then, however, the result was beyond doubt, capping off a perfect start to Pereira’s reign and reigniting Wolves’ survival hopes.
For Leicester, the pressure mounts as they now hover precariously above the drop zone, searching for solutions to their defensive frailties.
