Matt Doherty returned to the pitch for Wolverhampton Wanderers for the first time since August 2020, and boy, did he make his presence known.
In his re-debut with Wolves, Matt Doherty netted a pair of goals, playing a pivotal role in a decisive 5-0 victory against Blackpool, a team currently grappling with life in League One. The win ensures that Wolverhampton is marching on to the third round of the Carabao Cup like a rock band on a world tour.
Kicking off the goal fest was Sasa Kalajdzic, who capitalized on a rebound to score in the initial 45 minutes, as if setting the stage for an action-packed second act.
Meanwhile, Fabio Silva notched the second for Wolves, capitalizing on a fateful error by Blackpool’s Kenny Dougall whose attempt at glory ricocheted off the post, as if the universe itself were playing defense for Wolves.
Then, after halftime, came the Matt Doherty Show. Alongside Doherty’s double-whammy was a smashing strike from Nathan Fraser, as Wolves piled on three more goals to their tally. Talk about overkill, huh?
The Irish sensation, Doherty, has a history with Wolves, stretching back to 2010, before embarking on football sojourns with Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid. He marked his return with a header for his first goal and smoothly netted his second not too long after. No rust here, folks.
Wolves Gain Momentum After a Rocky Start
It’s been a rollercoaster start for Wolves this season, losing their opening two Premier League matches, while conceding a whopping five goals and managing just one for themselves. That’s like a band releasing two bad albums in a row. But under the tutelage of Gary O’Neil, things are starting to click.
Not only have they secured back-to-back victories, but they’ve also managed to keep the scoreboard clean, scoring three times without a single rebuttal. If they were a startup, we’d be buying stock right now. Further buoying team spirits is the speculation that midfielder Matheus Nunes might not be headed to Manchester City’s greener pastures after all.
Gary O’Neil went all mad scientist for this match, making nine changes to his lineup. And yet, they completely overwhelmed a Blackpool squad that had been demoted to League One last season. Five goals will surely have Wolves fans howling with joy, especially since their team had earlier struggles with finishing.
Sasa Kalajdzic is also making a habit of finding the net, scoring his second in consecutive games after being the hero against Everton. As for Doherty, these were his first goals in Wolves’ colors since a dramatic 3-2 win against Tottenham in March 2020. It’s like a blockbuster sequel, folks.
Player Ratings: Fraser Shines Brightest
In a match replete with standout performances, Nathan Fraser took home the Man of the Match award with an average rating of 8.54, narrowly edging out Sasa Kalajdzic and Matt Doherty, who scored 8.53 each. Fabio Silva and Sarabia followed, scoring 8.43 and 8.26, respectively, while Aït-Nouri managed a 7.94.
The Numbers Game
Wolverhampton Wanderers truly bossed the game in terms of possession, hogging the ball for 72% of the match. Blackpool could only muster 28% but hey, at least they had a great view of Wolves’ ball-handling skills. Wolverhampton unleashed 13 shots, nine of which were on target, while Blackpool could not manage a single shot on target from their 12 attempts. In the corner-kick tally, Blackpool led with four to Wolves’ three, but in fouls, Blackpool was the less disciplined side, committing 10 to Wolves’ seven.
So there you have it, a jubilant return for Matt Doherty and a hopeful trajectory for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Now, will someone get Blackpool a GPS? They seem lost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackpool Carabao Cup Match Recap
What was the final score between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackpool in the Carabao Cup?
The final score was a resounding 5-0 victory in favor of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Who scored the goals for Wolverhampton Wanderers?
Matt Doherty scored two goals, Sasa Kalajdzic opened the scoring, Fabio Silva added one, and Nathan Fraser contributed with a strike.
Was this Matt Doherty’s first game back with Wolverhampton Wanderers?
Yes, this marked Matt Doherty’s re-debut with the team. He had previously played for Wolves from 2010 until leaving for spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid.
Who was named the Man of the Match?
Nathan Fraser was named the Man of the Match with an average rating of 8.54.
How did Blackpool perform in the match?
Blackpool struggled throughout the match, managing only 28% possession and zero shots on target from 12 attempts.
What does this win mean for Wolverhampton Wanderers?
The win seems to mark a positive turnaround for Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had a rough start to their season but have now secured back-to-back victories.
Was the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ lineup heavily rotated for this match?
Yes, Gary O’Neil, the manager, made nine changes to the lineup for this game.
Is there any news regarding the future of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ midfielder Matheus Nunes?
Yes, there’s speculation that Matheus Nunes might stay at Wolves, despite interest from Manchester City.
What was Wolverhampton Wanderers’ ball possession statistic for this match?
Wolves dominated possession with a whopping 72%, leaving Blackpool with just 28%.
Have Wolverhampton Wanderers been struggling with goal-scoring this season?
Before this match, Wolves had struggled with finishing, but this 5-0 win indicates a possible end to those woes, as they seem to have found their scoring boots.
More about Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackpool Carabao Cup Match Recap
- Wolverhampton Wanderers Official Site
- Blackpool FC News and Updates
- Carabao Cup Official Website
- Matt Doherty’s Career Stats
- ESPN’s Match Recap and Highlights
- The Guardian’s Football Coverage
- BBC Sport’s Wolverhampton vs Blackpool Match Report
- WhoScored Player Ratings
- Transfermarkt’s Matheus Nunes Profile
- Gary O’Neil’s Managerial Records
9 comments
Man, Doherty’s back with a bang! Who needs Spider-Man when you’ve got this guy swingin’ into action!
Sasa Kalajdzic is becoming a regular scorer, huh? guy’s turning into a hit single on repeat.
Nathan Fraser as MOTM? Kinda surprised, but dude was everywhere. Respect.
The return of Doherty is the plot twist I never knew I needed in this season’s storyline. So here for it!
O’Neil mixin’ the lineup like a DJ mixin’ tracks and still we won 5-0. Crazy!
Blackpool needa get their act together. 0 shots on target? Seriously?
This match was like an action-packed blockbuster. First half built the tension and then BOOM! Everything exploded in the second half. Good job wolves!
Stats are crazy. 72% possession? thats like having a cheat code in a video game.
Fabio Silva cashin in on others’ mistakes. Opportunist lvl 100.