Southampton limp to 2-0 defeat at Wolves

New day, same Southampton.

Ivan Cavaleiro and Jonny Otto each scored to condemn Southampton to a second consecutive Premier League defeat.

Southampton made strides in the first-half, but failed to produce an opening goal, which has been the backbone recipe for losses.

Mohamed Elyounoussi twice forced saves by Rui Patricio, with the second a reaction stop to deny the Norwegian from lifting the ball over his head and into the goal.

Danny Ings, who returned to the side after missing out against his parent club, aimed a shot from distance towards goal, but a deflection carried it wide.

Wolves took momentum into the break with Raul Jimenez testing Alex McCarthy, before firing over with a header.

Stuart Armstrong was then first to react in the box a quarter-hour from full-time, only to swivel a shot into the grasp of Patricio.

It was another substitute, however, that linked up with Cavaleiro to break the deadlock 11 minutes from full-time.

Adama Traore skipped around Ryan Bertrand, before his delivery was laid off by Jimenez for Cavaleiro to fire into the net.

McCarthy then denied Jimenez from doubling the Wolves lead, with a fine stop to a header earmarked for the top corner.

But Otto slipped a shot through McCarthy’s legs to make it 2-0 and take what was left of Southampton’s wind.

Manolo Gabbiadini thrashed a speculative effort towards goal in added time, but the damage had already been done.

Wolverhampton: Patricio, Boly, Coady (c), Bennett, Otto, Doherty, Moutinho, Neves, Diogo (Cavaleiro 77), Costa (Traore 37), Raul (Bonatini 90+1).

Unused subs: Ruddy (GK), Cavaleiro, Saiss, Vingare, Hause.

Goals: Cavaleiro (79), Otto (87).

Bookings: Diogo (51), Otto (57), Traore (74).

Southampton: McCarthy, Bertrand, Hoedt, Vestergaard, Cedric, Lemina, Hojbjerg, Redmond, Elyounoussi (Armstrong 71), Austin (Gabbiadini 77), Ings.

Unused subs: Gunn (GK), Yoshida, Davis, Romeu, Targett.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Bertrand (50).