Wolves 1-0 Southampton FC: Daily Echo player ratings

Gary O'Neil's side secured their first win over fellow strugglers Saints, leapfrogging them in the table, thanks to goals from Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha.

Ryan Manning did think he had pulled Saints level at 1-0 before his goal was controversially ruled out for a foul by Fernandes in the buildup.

Here's how we rated every Southampton player's performance at Molineux on Saturday...

Southampton players were left outraged at decisions against Wolves (Image: PA) Starters

Aaron Ramsdale - 5.

Sarabia went around him to score the opening goal. Made an important save to deny Joao Gomes just after the restart. Could do little about Cunha’s well-hit goal. Was nearly punished by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde when he passed straight to the Frenchman but he lifted the ball wide.

Kyle Walker-Peters - 5.

Headed the ball to Wolves in the buildup for their opening goal inside 90 seconds. Struggled to deal with Cunha on the counterattack. Did show attacking intent - beat his man without matching his run with a good ball into the box. Played the most passes into the final third.

Jan Bednarek - 5.

Was the most solid player in Southampton’s defence but should have been punished by Bellegarde but the substitute missed Rayan Aït-Nouri’s inviting ball to the back post.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 5.

Not the performance he would have wanted after receiving his maiden England call-up. Caught high up the field for the opening goal but was a threat from corners.

Jack Stephens - 5.

Showed why he is perhaps not cut out to play a hybrid role as a defender and midfielder. Left a huge gap between himself and Manning to allow Sarabia to receive the ball and take it around Ramsdale.

Matheus Cunha celebrates in front of Jack Stephens (Image: Nick Potts/PA) Ryan Manning - 6.

Thought he had equalised when he crashed in 10 minutes after Wolves’ opening goal but his goal was ruled out for a foul in the buildup. Unlucky to be replaced at halftime.

Adam Lallana - 4.

Had a difficult afternoon. Caught out on the ball and lacked the pace to recover when Wolves looked to break. Did not close Cunha down, leaving him with space to fire in a second goal.

Joe Aribo - 5.

Came in to replace Flynn Downes during the warmup. Struggled to impose himself in the middle of the park. Missed Ryan Manning’s low ball towards the back post.

Mateus Fernandes - 6.

Delivered another good performance. Influential at both ends of the pitch, won the ball in important areas and looked to pass and drive forward. Needed to take a yard off his pass. A rare bright spot again.

Adam Armstrong - 4.

Was not able to continue his goalscoring momentum. Had an early shot after Wolves took the lead. Unsuccessful with all of his crosses, dribbles and tackles. 

Cameron Archer - 4.

Hardly got the ball. Managed just 12 touches and five passes in 73 minutes. Cast a lonely figure up front. Was fouled in the buildup to Wolves’ second goal.

Cameron Archer had a difficult afternoon back in the Midlands (Image: Nick Potts/PA) Substitutes

Tyler Dibling - 5.

Came on to replace Manning at halftime. Looked to add dynamism to an attack which was struggling to connect. Was left without options when receiving in tight areas. Completed the most dribbles of any Saints player.

Tyler Dibling added energy from the bench (Image: Nick Potts/PA) Yukinari Sugawara - 5.

Did not provide the required impact from the bench unlike he did against Leicester. Popped up in various positions as Saints struggled for regimented structure in the buildup late on.

Lesley Ugochuwku - 5.

Continues to struggle on loan from Chelsea. Saw a yellow card for a late tackle on the halfway line. Brought on to add energy in the midfield but was slow with his decision-making.

Paul Onuachu - 5.

Came on with 20 minutes to go but was forced to play a bit-part role as Saints failed to feed him the ball. Touched the ball just once in the Wolves box due to his lack of service.

Ben Brereton Diaz - 5.

Came on alongside Onuachu. Also struggled to stamp his authority on a team desperate for a goal. Had a half chance but ran the ball through to Jose Sa after failing to control a difficult dropping ball.

Ben Brereton Diaz's fortunes are yet to turn at Saints (Image: Nick Potts/PA)