Brentford's Victory Deepens Wolves' Relegation Struggles
Keane Lewis-Potter scored his first Premier League goals since January, leading Brentford to a decisive victory over Wolves.
His second-half brace secured a win in a match that was otherwise largely forgettable, as Wolves continued their dismal run at Molineux. The game concluded with Jorgen Strand Larsen's late penalty being comfortably saved.
This defeat marks a new club record for Wolves, who have now suffered 10 consecutive losses in the top flight, matching the league's longest winless streak at the start of a season.
Their current run of 17 games without a victory ties Sheffield United's record set in the 2020-21 season. Wolves find themselves 14 points adrift of safety and are facing relegation with a mere two points, threatening to break Derby's record low of 11 points.
With matches against Liverpool and Manchester United on the horizon, the prospect of a win under manager Rob Edwards seems bleak, as he has lost all six of his opening matches.
Despite Jose Sa's earlier saves against Lewis-Potter and Kevin Schade, the Brentford forward broke through in the 63rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. He netted from 10 yards after Vitaly Janelt's ball bounced in the box, before sealing the victory with a well-placed shot eight minutes from time.
This win elevates Brentford to 12th place in the league, leaving them 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Wolves' troubles deepened when Caoimhin Kelleher, who had fouled Matt Doherty, saved Strand Larsen's penalty kick.
Wolves Analysis: Relegation Seems Inevitable for Struggling Side
Wolves appeared to have an opportunity to turn their fortunes around.
Edwards expressed satisfaction with the team's training efforts and their spirited performance in a narrow 2-1 defeat against Arsenal the previous weekend. He believed the players were beginning to adapt to his tactics but needed to deliver results on the pitch. Unfortunately, against Brentford, they failed to do so.
Matching Sheffield United's record of 17 league games without a win marks a new low for the club, and with a challenging match against Liverpool next, it is likely Wolves will set an unwanted record.
The departure of executive chairman Jeff Shi on Friday had initially alleviated some of the negativity surrounding Molineux, as he had been a target of fan criticism. However, that brief relief faded in the second half.
"You’re not fit to wear the shirt" echoed around Molineux after Lewis-Potter scored his second goal, signaling the end of any hope for the home side.
Strand Larsen's disastrous late penalty miss epitomized Wolves' current state, as the team struggled with confidence, conviction, and quality.
It appears there is no turning back, and relegation seems unavoidable. Edwards has indicated that the focus should be on how Wolves will descend, rather than when, and at this moment, they are doing so quietly and without resistance.