‘Part of the family’ – Wolves’ remarkable turnaround under Vitor Pereira

Sunday’s win was the first time since March 2022 that Wolves have scored four or more goals in a league game at Molineux, so it was fitting that Matheus Cunha scored the final goal on his return to the side.

The Brazil striker came off the bench to make his return from a four-game suspension, and in the 86th minute dispossessed Lucas Bergvall before slotting past Guglielmo Vicario to wrap up the win.

Cunha has been Wolves’ best player this season, though in truth he hasn’t been missed.

Pereira’s side took 10 points from the four league games they were without him, scoring six goals along the way.

Yet the way the 25-year-old raises both his team-mates and the supporters is undeniable.

He annoyed some Wolves fans this week with a social media post – since deleted – that hinted at a summer exit.

“I will follow my dreams, not yours. So stay cool,” it read.

Cunha appeared to apologise to supporters when celebrating his goal, making a praying gesture before pointing to his heart.

“He knows his quality, he knows the team was playing good games and winning [without him],” Pereira said.

“In the right moment that we need him he said ‘yes I am here to help the team’.”

Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen – who scored four league goals in Cunha’s absence and added a fifth in four games on Sunday – hailed Cunha as “probably the best player I’ve ever seen”, adding: “He’s such a good man too.

“If he can do the right thing outside of football it’s better for him. Coming back meant a lot for him. He’s been our best player this season so I’m very happy for him.”