Bournemouth scored early and often against Wolves, largely at free will, as Justin Kluivert bagged a hat trick from the penalty spot and the Cherries cruised to a 4-2 victory away from home on Saturday.
WATCH — Wolves vs Bournemouth full match replay
More importantly, the win snaps a two-game losing skid against fellow top-half contenders and offered Andoni Iraola’s side the chance to beat up on a relegation candidate for a change. Bournemouth (18 points) climb two places in the Premier League table, up to 11th for the time being.
On the flip side, Wolves’ two-game winning run is over, emphatically. Jose Sa had a difficult day, giving away two of the three penalties himself by fouling Evanilson, who also won Bournemouth’s other penalty.
Justin Kluivert’s penalty hat trick makes Premier League history
All three won by Evanilson, all three scored by Kluivert. It was a bit strange watching nearly identical sequences play out again and again, but Wolves couldn’t stop fouling the 25-year-old Brazilian forward and Kluivert couldn’t miss from the spot. Bournemouth put the opposing defense under intense pressure as soon as they get they ball, creating lots of 1-v-1 situations where defenders and goalkeepers have to make perfectly timed plays, and they don’t always get them right. Any other day, it could have been Evanilson’s hat trick from open play.
Player ratings - Wolves vs Bournemouth
What’s next?
- Everton vs Wolves — Wednesday (2:30 pm ET)
- Bournemouth vs Tottenham — Thursday (3:15 pm ET)
Wolves vs Bournemouth live updates - by Andy Edwards
Wolves vs Bournemouth final score: 2-4
Goalscorers: Justin Kluivert (3' - PK, 18' - PK, 74' - PK), Jorgen Strand Larsen (5', 69'), Milos Kerkez (9')
HAT TRICK OF PENALTIES! Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth: For the third time today, Justin Kluivert beats Jose Sa (74')
GOAL! Wolves 2-3 Bournemouth: Jorgen Strand Larsen fires Wolves back in it (69')
PENALTY! Wolves 1-3 Bournemouth: Justin Kluivert scores again after Jose Sa falls asleep on the ball (19')
GOAL! Wolves 1-2 Bournemouth: Milos Kerkez fires home as frantic start continues (9')
GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Bournemouth: Jorgen Strand Larsen heads home an instant equalizer (5')
PENALTY! Wolves 0-1 Bournemouth: Evanilson gets cut down after 59 seconds; Justin Kluivert converts (3')
Bournemouth starting lineup
Arrizabalaga - Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez - Adams, Christie, Kluivert - Tavernier, Brooks, Evanilson
Wolves starting lineup
Sa - Lemina, T. Gomes, Ait-Nouri - Semedo, Andre, J. Gomes, R. Gomes - Bellegarde, Cunha, Strand Larsen
How to watch Wolves vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: The Molineux Stadium — Wolverhampton
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Wolves team news, focus
Minor injury concerns are mounting up for this weekend thanks to an illness and some knocks suffered at Fulham. But Matheus Cunha is healthy and at times it feels like that’s all that matters to keep Wolves safe.
OUT: Yerson Mosquera (knee), Boubacar Traore (knee), Enso Medina (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Bastien Meupiyou (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Pedro Lima (fitness)
Bournemouth team news, focus
USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams has started and gone 60-plus minutes in each of Bournemouth’s last two games, his latest long-term injury hopefully behind him. Adams and presumably Lewis Cook will have to win a midfield battle against in-form Joao Gomes and big signing Andre.
OUT: Alex Scott (knee), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Julian Araujo (thigh), Antoine Semenyo (suspension)
Wolves vs Bournemouth prediction
There could well be fireworks here, as both sides could score a handful of goals or conceded just as many. So we’ll look to Cunha and Evanilson to keep thriving and get on the board. Wolves 1-1 Bournemouth. — NM
