Leeds climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone after holding off a late Wolves fightback to win an enthralling game at Molineux.
The victory lifts Javi Gracia’s side – who started the day in 19th – four places and two points above the bottom three.
Jack Harrison, who scored in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to Brighton, side-footed Wilfried Gnonto’s cut-back past Jose Sa to give the visitors an early lead after a bright start.
Leeds doubled their advantage four minutes into the second half as Luke Ayling, left completely unmarked by the Wolves defence, beat Sa with a low header from point-blank range.
More questionable defending from Jonny gifted second-half substitute Rasmus Kristensen a third, before the Wolves wing-back gave his team hope with a tremendous volleyed finish after Illan Meslier had come rushing out of his goal to make a clearance.
Matheus Cunha’s deflected strike set up a nail-biting finale, but Wolves’ hopes of a dramatic comeback were dealt a blow when Jonny was shown a straight red card for a reckless, studs-up challenge on Ayling with just over six minutes remaining.
Rodrigo completed the scoring deep into added time, lifting the ball over the onrushing Sa for his 11th league goal of the campaign.
Julen Lopetegui’s side stay 13th but remain only three points above the relegation zone, having played at least a game more than the majority of their rivals near the foot of the table.
Rare away success breathes life into Leeds survival bid
Leeds have shown plenty of promise in their two home games under new manager Gracia but had lost both games away from Elland Road under the 52-year-old – at Fulham in the FA Cup and Chelsea in the league – prior to Saturday.
The visitors certainly didn’t start like a team with only one top-flight victory on their travels this season, taking the game to Wolves and going in front with just six minutes on the clock.
Gnonto, restored to the side in place of Crysencio Summerville, was particularly lively early on and vindicated his manager’s decision with a brilliant cut-back into Harrison, who side-footed home his second goal in as many games.
The visitors had their backs to the wall for the rest of the first half as Wolves applied heavy pressure, but a combination of smart goalkeeping, last-ditch defending and wasteful finishing ensured they went into half-time with their narrow lead intact.
Second-half goals from Ayling and Kristensen – who scored moments after replacing Gnonto in the second half – gave Leeds a seemingly comfortable platform for a rare away victory, but Jonny’s spectacular finish and Cunha’s low effort – which took a heavy deflection off Maximilian Wober on its way in – offered Wolves an unlikely lifeline.
Ayling was fortunate to escape serious injury when Jonny caught the Leeds skipper with a high challenge after a heavy touch, but the 31-year-old was back on his feet quickly to help the visitors see out the victory.
Rodrigo’s late effort was subject to a VAR review for an apparent foul by Marc Roca on Adama Traore in the build-up, but after viewing the incident on his pitchside monitor referee Michael Salisbury decided to award the goal.
More to follow.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Starting XI
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Squad number1Player nameJosé Sá
Average rating4.56
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Squad number22Player nameNélson Semedo
Average rating4.32
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Squad number15Player nameDawson
Average rating4.20
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Squad number23Player nameKilman
Average rating4.25
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Squad number19Player nameJonny
Average rating3.79
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Squad number8Player nameRúben Neves
Average rating4.57
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Squad number5Player nameLemina
Average rating3.99
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Squad number35Player nameJoão Gomes
Average rating4.00
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Squad number7Player namePedro Neto
Average rating4.06
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Squad number9Player nameJiménez
Average rating4.14
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Squad number10Player nameDaniel Podence
Average rating4.04
Substitutes
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Squad number4Player nameCollins
Average rating3.77
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Squad number12Player nameMatheus Cunha
Average rating4.00
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Squad number21Player nameSarabia
Average rating3.80
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Squad number28Player nameJoão Moutinho
Average rating3.89
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Squad number37Player nameTraoré
Average rating4.60
Leeds United
Starting XI
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Squad number1Player nameMeslier
Average rating7.93
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Squad number2Player nameAyling
Average rating8.07
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Squad number5Player nameKoch
Average rating8.00
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Squad number39Player nameWöber
Average rating8.35
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Squad number3Player nameFirpo
Average rating7.75
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Squad number8Player nameRoca
Average rating7.76
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Squad number28Player nameMcKennie
Average rating7.76
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Squad number11Player nameHarrison
Average rating8.41
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Squad number7Player nameAaronson
Average rating7.63
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Squad number29Player nameGnonto
Average rating8.31
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Squad number9Player nameBamford
Average rating7.70
Substitutes
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Squad number10Player nameSummerville
Average rating7.80
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Squad number19Player nameRodrigo
Average rating8.04
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Squad number21Player nameStruijk
Average rating7.82
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Squad number25Player nameKristensen
Average rating8.31
Line-ups
Wolves
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Sá
- 22Nélson SemedoBooked at 53minsSubstituted forMatheus Cunhaat 57′minutes
- 15DawsonBooked at 37minsSubstituted forCollinsat 45′minutes
- 23Kilman
- 19Castro OttoBooked at 84mins
- 8NevesSubstituted forJoão Moutinhoat 76′minutes
- 5Lemina
- 35João GomesBooked at 87mins
- 7NetoSubstituted forSarabiaat 45′minutes
- 9Jiménez
- 10PodenceSubstituted forTraoréat 57′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Collins
- 12Matheus Cunha
- 21Sarabia
- 24Gomes
- 25Bentley
- 27Nunes
- 28João Moutinho
- 29Diego Costa
- 37Traoré
Leeds
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1MeslierBooked at 90mins
- 2AylingBooked at 24mins
- 5Koch
- 39Wöber
- 3FirpoBooked at 45minsSubstituted forStruijkat 81′minutes
- 8RocaBooked at 75mins
- 28McKennieBooked at 45mins
- 11Harrison
- 7AaronsonSubstituted forSummervilleat 81′minutes
- 29GnontoSubstituted forKristensenat 61′minutes
- 9BamfordSubstituted forRodrigoat 67′minutes
Substitutes
- 6Cooper
- 10Summerville
- 19Rodrigo
- 21Struijk
- 22Robles
- 23Sinisterra
- 24Rutter
- 25Kristensen
- 63Gray
- Referee:
- Michael Salisbury
- Attendance:
- 31,570
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Leeds United 4.
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Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Leeds United 4.
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Attempt missed. Pablo Sarabia (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner from a direct free kick.
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Illan Meslier (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card.
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João Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Crysencio Summerville (Leeds United).
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Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Robin Koch.
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Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the red card.
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VAR Decision: Goal Leeds United – Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-4 Leeds United (Rodrigo).
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Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Leeds United 4. Rodrigo (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Crysencio Summerville with a through ball.Goal confirmed following VAR Review.
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Hand ball by Pablo Sarabia (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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Attempt saved. Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Adama Traoré with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Pablo Sarabia with a cross.
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Hand ball by Rodrigo (Leeds United).
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João Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by João Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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Marc Roca (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Jonny (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the red card.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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