Nottingham Forest ended winless Wolverhampton Wanderers’ misery as Igor Jesus scored his first Premier League goal to secure a 1-0 victory at Molineux Stadium. The result extended Wolves’ miserable run to seven straight league defeats and left them with only two points after 14 games, equalling the joint-worst start in Premier League history alongside Sheffield United.

Wolves Struggle Continues

Wolves, managed by Rob Edwards, remain rock-bottom of the Premier League, 12 points adrift of safety. Despite efforts to improve form in recent games, Wolves’ lack of quality and cohesion was evident against Forest. Edwards admitted that his side’s first-half performance was poor, questioning the players’ confidence and mentality.

“It looked bleak before we arrived. We didn’t do our job tonight, so we can’t expect anyone else to give us any help,” Edwards said after the match. Wolves’ last league victory came in April, leaving fans frustrated and increasingly pessimistic about survival.

Igor Jesus Breaks Premier League Duck

Forest, under Sean Dyche, had dominated the game on paper, though the match itself lacked clear-cut chances. Igor Jesus had a first-half goal disallowed after a VAR review because teammate Dan Ndoye obstructed goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. Despite the delay, Jesus’ persistence paid off in the second half when he headed home Omari Hutchinson’s cross, giving Forest the lead and the three points.

Dyche praised his team’s mentality but criticized the VAR delay, questioning the requirement for referees to address the crowd. “Give them a chance to breathe and get their job done without layering up more and more on top,” he said.

Wolves Analysis: No Light at the End

Wolves’ 12th defeat in 14 games left Molineux in a state of despair. Players and fans alike seemed dejected, with Andre lying on the pitch at full-time and Tolu Arokodare standing hands-on-hips. Despite some energy and effort, Wolves’ form remains dire, and their relegation fight looks increasingly impossible.

The upcoming fixtures will be daunting, with Wolves hosting Manchester United and traveling to face Arsenal in the coming weeks. Even on paper, Nottingham Forest represented one of Wolves’ best chances for a victory this month, highlighting the scale of their struggles.

Nottingham Forest Analysis: Jesus Could Prove a Bargain

The victory showcased Igor Jesus as a potential key asset for Forest. Signed from Botafogo for £10m, he had previously netted five goals in the Carabao Cup and Europa League but had been waiting for a breakthrough in the Premier League. His contribution could be crucial in Forest’s quest to remain in the top flight this season.

Jesus’ performance highlights Forest’s smart summer recruitment, despite spending £180m overall. With other high-profile signings yet to make a consistent impact, Jesus could emerge as the best value of the squad, combining goal-scoring ability with work rate and movement.

Key Players and Ratings

• Player of the Match: Igor Jesus – 8.03
• Wolves struggled throughout, with André (3.89) and Sam Johnstone (3.83) rated as their top performers.
• Forest’s Omari Hutchinson and Igor Jesus proved decisive with attacking contributions and goal involvement.

What’s Next

• Wolves host Manchester United on 8 December (20:00 GMT) and then travel to Arsenal on 13 December (20:00 GMT).
• Nottingham Forest face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT) before their next Europa League match against Utrecht on Thursday (17:45 GMT).

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Key Takeaways

• Igor Jesus scores his first Premier League goal, giving Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win over Wolves.
• Wolves remain bottom of the Premier League, equalling the joint-worst start in top-flight history.
• VAR disallows Jesus’ first-half goal due to Dan Ndoye’s obstruction, highlighting ongoing technology debates.
• Forest climb to 16th, four points above the relegation zone, boosting survival hopes.
• Wolves’ form under Rob Edwards shows little improvement, with survival looking increasingly unlikely.