Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38 years

Wolverhampton Wanderers continued their surge in form by beating Bournemouth 2-0 with goals from Raul Jimenez and Ivan Cavaleiro at Molineux to record a third successive top-flight win for the first time since 1980.The contrast in form between the two sides could not have been more marked, with Bournemouth suffering a sixth defeat in seven Premier League games.Manager Eddie Howe had stressed the need to quickly forget the 4-0 thumping by Liverpool last time out but the visitors soon fell behind to a calamitous chain of events when Charlie Daniels misplaced a pass straight to Diogo Jota, whose mis-hit shot fell for Raul to tap home at the far post for his fifth goal of the season.Raul turned provider for Jota with a superb through ball but Steve Cook was alert to the danger and bounced the winger off the ball, a challenge that injured the Portuguese and led to his halftime substitution.Jota’s replacement Helder Costa sliced his shot when put through by Morgan Gibbs-White as Wolves pushed for the goal that would have put them out of sight.Bournemouth introduced top scorer Callum Wilson from the bench but his best chance was deflected for a corner and the victory was sealed by Cavaleiro with a cool finish in injury time.The game was the first ever top-flight clash between the clubs and there is no doubt which of them is currently looking more comfortable at this level.Wolves’ previous top-flight campaign in 2011-12 ended with just 25 points and relegation. Now they are seventh, one point behind Manchester United.Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo was predictably delighted with his team on a bitterly cold day.“In this weather, with the wind, cold and rain and against Bournemouth — I’m very proud. We did a fantastic job,” he said.“Before we were in a bad moment. Now we’re in a good moment. It’s important to realise why. The boys’ character, the way they commit to the work on a daily basis, well done to them.”