Igor Jesus’ first Premier League goal handed Nottingham Forest a vital victory and condemned winless Wolves to yet another defeat in a drab contest at Molineux.
The forward’s sixth goal of the season secured an immediate response for Sean Dyche’s side following their weekend loss to Brighton. For Wolves, however, the misery continues — now bottom of the table with just two points from 14 games, matching the joint-worst start in Premier League history alongside Sheffield United.
With no league win since April and seven consecutive defeats, Wolves find themselves cut adrift, 12 points from safety. Their last remaining hopes of survival are fading fast.
Manager Rob Edwards reflected bluntly after the match:
“We don’t want to go out with a whimper. In the first half, that’s how it felt… We didn’t show any of the things I want from my team and that hurts. It looked bleak before we arrived — and we didn’t do our job tonight.”
Forest, now 16th and four points clear of the drop zone, always appeared the more likely winners. Jesus saw one early effort ruled out following a lengthy five-minute VAR check due to Dan Ndoye obstructing goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, but he made no mistake with his second-half header, finishing from Omari Hutchinson’s delivery after earlier efforts from Hutchinson and Neco Williams had been denied.
Despite securing three points, Dyche criticised VAR’s lengthy stoppage and the new protocol requiring referees to announce decisions to the stadium.
“It’s already taken forever — just call it and get on with it,” Dyche said. “Referees have a tough job, so why add more pressure by making them speak publicly?”
This felt like the night optimism finally evaporated.
At full-time, Wolves players sank into despair as the home stands emptied rapidly. Many believed Rob Edwards had sparked improvement in recent performances — but this was the fixture they had to win to revive survival hopes.
Effort was visible, quality was not. A 12th defeat in 14 matches leaves Wolves staring at relegation with little room for belief. They sit 12 points behind 17th-placed Leeds, facing Manchester United twice, Arsenal, Brentford, and Liverpool before year’s end. Even the return of former player Morgan Gibbs-White failed to ignite the usual hostility — resignation replaced rivalry.
Derby County held six points at this stage during their record-low 11–point season in 2007/08. Wolves, on two, are on course to fall below even that unwanted mark.
Patience is paying off.
Signed from Botafogo for £10m, Igor Jesus has had to wait for his breakthrough, but with Chris Wood injured and goals scarce since opening day, Forest desperately needed him to deliver. On his sixth Premier League start, he finally found the net — adding to his cup and European tallies.
If his goals help keep Forest afloat, the fee may prove one of the bargains of the season. Even Botafogo owner John Textor has faced questions over why he sanctioned such a cut-price sale.
Forest spent £180m in the summer — with record signing Omari Hutchinson making his full Premier League debut here — yet Jesus may be the best value purchase of the lot.
Wolves
Nottingham Forest
