REPORT: Southampton squanders lead in 3-2 defeat to Wolverhampton

A second half capitulation from Southampton allowed Wolverhampton to escape St Mary’s Stadium with a 3-2 Premier League victory on Saturday.

Jan Bednarek and Shane Long put Wolves on the back foot with two first-half goals, but Pedro Neto gave new life to the visitors before Raul Jiminez converted from the penalty spot to equalise shortly after the hour mark.

Long had come agonisingly close to giving Saints a commanding 3-0 lead before Neto hit the back of the net at the other end, and Nathan Redmond struck the bar from distance when looking to restore the advantage.

But Wolves stole all three points when Jiminez added his second on the day after Adama Traore chased down a ball over the top before his cutback found the forward in space to fire past Alex McCarthy.

Jack Stephens tried to manufacture a late equaliser, but the defender could only steer James Ward-Prowse’s whipped cross beyond the post in added time.

Southampton remains in 12th win the result, which saw a run of five matches (4W, 1D) unbeaten come to an end.

Wolves, meanwhile, have added to their comeback haul, collecting their 18th point from a losing position.

Southampton: McCarthy, Bertrand, Bednarek, Stephens, Cedric, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Redmond (Boufal 78), Armstrong (Djenepo 71), Ings, Long (Adams 71)

Unused subs: Gunn (GK), Vestergaard, Romeu, Adams, Boufal, Djenepo

Goals: Bednarek (15), Long (35)

Bookings: Ward-Prowse (29), Bednarek (57)

Wolverhampton: Patricio, Saiss, Coady, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny, Doherty, Traore, Neto (Kilman 86), Jiminez

Unused subs: Ruddy (GK), Buur, Kilman, Ashley-Seal, Gibbs-White, John Giles, Jordao

Goals: Neto (53), Jiminez (65 PEN, 76)

Bookings: Neves (88)