A cheerful Cesar Peixoto expressed that Wolves have gained their fans’ respect following their victory in the Black Country derby against West Brom on Sunday.
With a 1-0 win at Molineux, Wolves moved ahead of their rivals into fourth place in the Championship, just three points behind leaders Swansea City and with a game in hand.
The pivotal moment came five minutes into the second half when Nathaniel Phillips made a careless pass in his own area, leading to Fer Lopez scoring past the advancing Max O’Leary.
O’Leary kept West Brom in the game with several key saves, including a fantastic one that tipped Nasser Djiga’s header onto the crossbar, followed by denying Andre on the rebound.
Wolves took 15 shots compared to West Brom’s seven, landing six on target, while Jose Sa was only called into action twice at the other end.
The expected goals (xG) tally favored Wolves at 1.96 to 0.27, and Peixoto noted that the outcome made a statement as the team heads into the upcoming three-week international break.
“I was really pleased with that. The players put in tremendous effort and did well. We won it for our supporters, and the atmosphere in the stadium was amazing,” he shared with BBC Radio WM.
“We exhibited courage and character, pressed high, and fought until the end to secure the points we deserved. We created numerous chances, but their goalkeeper really stepped up, preventing us from scoring.”
“These three points are vital. However, it’s just three points. More importantly, these players have shown they deserve the respect and support of their fans.”
No mistake from Fer pic.twitter.com/3ZpKOwvQEM
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 20, 2026
West Brom manager James Morrison accepted the defeat graciously, stating, “We got what we deserved. We weren’t at our best and created a lot of anxiety among ourselves.”
“In the first half, we didn’t pose a threat, and in the second half, we failed to create sufficient opportunities. We lacked the bravery to manage the ball under pressure and go on the attack.”
“This might be due to some younger players experiencing their first derby or simply making too many mistakes. A crucial error while in possession ultimately decided the match.”
In another Championship clash, Bolton Wanderers overcame Norwich City in an exciting 4-3 contest, coming back twice to claim victory.
Norwich took the lead twice in the first half with goals from Mohamed Toure and Ruairi McConville. However, Thierry Gale and Gaika Larrazabal both quickly equalized for Bolton, before Sam Dalby’s neat finish put them ahead early in the second half.
Even though Jack Stacey leveled the game at 3-3, substitute Atsuki Ito delivered the final blow, scoring from the edge of the area in the 72nd minute, allowing Bolton to climb ahead of their rivals into 15th place.
Fan Take: This victory highlights Wolves’ determination and growth as a team, potentially setting the stage for a competitive run in the Championship. For fans, it signifies hope that their club is evolving into a force to be reckoned with this season, enhancing overall excitement and engagement in the league.
Source: www.soccernews.com
