Matheus Cunha comments speak volumes as Wolves ace leads Gary O'Neil's fightback
Matheus Cunha might just be the best footballer in the Premier League operating outside the so-called 'Big Six' right now, and he was too good for Fulham as Wolves moved out of the relegation places
by Alex Richards · The MirrorBefore the international break, Matheus Cunha saved Gary O’Neil’s job as Wolves boss.
And if Molineux’s Brazilian magician can continue his scintillating form, O’Neil’s position will be secure for some time.
Cunha’s brilliance was too much for Fulham as he scored two magnificent goals and created another in Saturday’s 4-1 win at a sodden, windswept Craven Cottage.
At times, as he led the Black Country club to back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since February, dragging them out of the relegation places, he looked like a 15-year-old who had been asked to play with the under-12s: Too quick, too strong, too clever.
“He’s a special player,” stated captain Mario Lemina. “We know it. And he’s working really well for the team. He deserves all the praise he’s being given, because he’s unbelievable right now.”
Wolves endured a nightmare start to the season, taking just one point from their opening eight games - six of which came against sides in last term’s top seven - but have turned things around and taken eight points from their last four matches.
They've scored 10 times in those games, with Cunha scoring or assisting seven of those.
“When the results don’t come, people start to get a little upset," Cunha said. “We didn’t start the season the way we wanted, but we kept working. We believe a lot. We know everyone’s potential."
On a day when Lemina was pressed into action at the heart of a back four amid a defensive injury crisis - "I had to be a centre-back to make sure that we can win the game, and that’s what I did" - they showed their courage and potential.
After a timid start, falling behind to Alex Iwobi’s superb strike, they dared to push up higher, press faster and, cajoled constantly from the touchline by O’Neil, attack with increasing thrust.
“We never had doubts [about the manager],” insisted Cunha. “He did a lot of good things for us last season. Everyone in the group has grown up with him.”
They levelled on the half hour as Lemina’s long pass caught out Joachim Andersen, was met by Cunha racing in behind whose delicate first touch the ball to his will before he flicked past Bernd Leno.
“It’s something we’ve worked on,” claimed the Wolves skipper. “We try to catch eyes and in that moment I tried to give the best ball that I can. Everything was perfect, the ball perfect, the control as well was mad! The ball was crazy!”
In the second half Wolves dominated, with Cunha increasingly to the fore. He created Joao Gomes’ go-ahead 53rd minute goal before making it 3-1 with a stunning late effort.
"I love working with him," said O'Neil. "The improvements he’s made are just incredible. There’s no limit to where he can go."
Late substitute Goncalo Guedes wrapped it up with a cool finish in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
“We feel that we are turning the wheel the other way,” reiterated Lemina.
How high Wolves can rise likely rests on Cunha’s supremely-talented shoulders.
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