Crystal Palace stun Wolves 2-0 at Molineux as Wolves' relegation battle deepens

Crystal Palace delivered a clinical away performance at Molineux Stadium on Saturday, November 22, 2025, crushing Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 in a match that laid bare the depth of their Premier League crisis. Goals from Daniel Muñoz in the 63rd minute and Yéremy Pino six minutes later didn’t just seal the win — they exposed a Wolves side crumbling under pressure, with their home record now a nightmare: 0 wins in 11 matches this season. The final whistle echoed through the 29,976-capacity crowd not with frustration, but with resignation. This wasn’t just a loss. It was another nail in the coffin of their survival hopes.

Defensive Masterclass and Clinical Finishing

"They didn’t need to dominate. They just needed to be smarter. And they were." — Match analyst, BBC Sport

Crystal Palace, under manager Oliver Glasner, deployed a disciplined 4-4-2 that suffocated Wolves’ attack without ever needing to press high. Captain Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix formed a wall in the center, limiting Wolves to just one shot on target in 90 minutes — a staggering stat for a top-flight fixture. Their midfield, anchored by Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada, intercepted passes like clockwork, turning defensive solidity into offensive opportunity.

The first goal came from a simple but devastating transition. A long ball from Dean Henderson found Yéremy Pino drifting wide, but it was Maxence Lacroix who made the difference — sprinting into space behind the Wolves’ high backline and threading a perfect pass to Daniel Muñoz, who slotted it past Sam Johnstone with cool precision. The second goal was even more brutal: a swift counter after a Wolves corner was cleared, Adam Wharton drove forward and found Pino in the box. One touch. One finish. Game over.

Wolves’ Collapse: A Team Losing Its Way

Wolverhampton Wanderers, managed by Rob Edwards, looked like a team playing for the wrong reasons. Their 5-3-2 formation, meant to provide width and resilience, collapsed under pressure. Midfielder João Gomes was their only player to register a shot on target — and even that was blocked. David Moeller Wolfe, their creative hub, was constantly double-teamed and never found rhythm. The attack, led by Tolu Arokodare and Jørgen Strand Larsen, had zero support from the flanks, where Emmanuel Agbadou and Jackson Tchatchoua were repeatedly overrun.

The stats tell the story: 41.3% possession, 8 shots, 1 on target, 22 tackles, 46 clearances. That’s not football. That’s survival mode. And it’s costing them. With just 2 points from 11 games, Wolves sit dead last in the Premier League — the only team without a home win this season. Their last victory at Molineux? Over a year ago. Their last clean sheet? October 2024.

Crystal Palace’s Rise: Top Four Credentials Cemented

For Crystal Palace, this was their fourth consecutive away win — a run unmatched by any other team in the top half of the table. Jean-Philippe Mateta, their top scorer with 6 goals, didn’t find the net, but his movement dragged defenders out of position, creating space for others. Ismaila Sarr was a constant threat on the left, forcing four fouls and drawing two yellow cards. And Daniel Muñoz, a 24-year-old Spanish defender, has now scored in two straight games — a breakout performance that’s turning heads.

Their defensive record speaks volumes: 4 clean sheets in the last 10 matches. Dean Henderson, once written off as a backup, has become the backbone of this team. He didn’t need to make many saves — but when he did, he was flawless. The backline didn’t just hold; they dictated. And with Yéremy Pino and Adam Wharton linking up like seasoned partners, Palace look like genuine contenders for a Champions League spot.

What’s Next? The Chasm Widens

Wolves face a brutal December: home to Arsenal, away to Manchester City, then a derby against West Bromwich in the EFL Cup. Their next Premier League match is at home to Brentford — a team they’ve beaten twice in the last three seasons. If they lose that, the relegation zone won’t just be a threat — it’ll be a certainty.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, host Everton next weekend and travel to Chelsea the week after. With 17 points and a goal difference of +9, they’re not just safe — they’re dangerous. Glasner’s side has become the league’s most consistent away team. No flukes. No luck. Just execution.

Behind the Numbers: The Real Story

The stats don’t lie. But they don’t tell the whole truth either.

Wolves’ 46 clearances? That’s not discipline. That’s panic. Their 13 fouls? That’s desperation. Their 2 yellow cards? One was for Toti Gomes, their captain, who looked exhausted by the 60th minute.

Palace’s 432 passes at 83.8% accuracy? That’s control. Their 10 shots, 4 on target? That’s efficiency. Their 3 yellow cards? All in the final 20 minutes — a sign they were managing the game, not chasing it.

This wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement.