Bournemouth End Away Drought as Wasteful Wolves Fall at Molineux

Bournemouth secured their first Premier League away victory since August, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at Molineux Stadium to bring a 154-day wait for a road win to a close.

A sublime first-half strike from young attacker Eli Junior Kroupi and a stoppage-time clincher from midfielder Alex Scott decided a match defined by Wolves’ remarkable profligacy in front of goal.

The victory, marking Andoni Iraola’s 100th league game in charge, lifts Bournemouth to 33 points and back into the conversation for a top-half finish. For bottom-placed Wolves, now 17 points from safety with just eight points from 24 games, the defeat was a severe blow to their faint survival hopes.

The contest began with a disallowed goal that foreshadowed Wolves’ afternoon of frustration. Within eight minutes, Mateus Mane headed home from a Rodrigo Gomes cross, only for the assistant referee to raise his flag for offside against the provider.

Wolves initially carried the brighter threat, with Mane testing Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. However, the game’s complexion changed decisively after a Wolves error. Midfielder Andre lost possession in a dangerous area, allowing Alex Scott and Amine Adli to combine and set up Eli Junior Kroupi on the edge of the box.

The 19-year-old Frenchman met the pass with a magnificent first-time, dipping volley that soared over goalkeeper Jose Sa and into the net for his eighth goal of the season. Bournemouth nearly doubled the lead before halftime, but Sa produced a crucial one-on-one save to deny Adli.

The second half became a story of relentless Wolves pressure and squandered opportunities. Manager Rob Edwards saw his team dominate possession and create a series of clear chances.

Striker Tolu Arokodare was denied from point-blank range by a superb Petrovic save, before later blazing another effort over the bar. Substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen, potentially playing his final game for the club amid interest from Crystal Palace, scuffed a shot wide from an excellent position.

The woodwork then denied the hosts twice, first as Joao Gomes saw a header crash against the far post, followed soon after by a Yerson Mosquera effort that also struck the upright.

As Wolves pushed desperately for an equaliser, Bournemouth introduced new signing Rayan, who made an immediate impact on his debut after joining from Vasco da Gama. The winger’s direct running added a fresh threat, and in the first minute of added time, he sealed the victory.

Surging down the left, Rayan slid a perfect low cross across the six-yard box for the arriving Alex Scott to tap home, sparking a mass exodus of Wolves supporters.

In his post-match comments, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola expressed satisfaction with a hard-fought win. “It was a nice way to mark my 100th game. We needed this win,” he said, praising Kroupi’s development and the promising debut of Rayan.

A visibly frustrated Rob Edwards lamented his team’s lack of cutting edge. “We were very dominant in the second half… We’ve got to be more ruthless,” he stated, acknowledging the growing difficulty of the club’s predicament.

The result leaves Wolves staring at the increasing likelihood of Championship football next season, while Bournemouth can look ahead with renewed optimism, their European ambitions faintly flickering once more.