Matheus Cunha gives Wolves team-mate answer he needs during toughest season of career

Nelson Semedo is beginning to see the light towards the end of the toughest season of his career thanks to Matheus Cunha.

The 31-year-old Wolves wing-back hailed his team-mate as 'one of the best players in the Premier League ' after the Brazilian magician conjured up three points against ten-men Bournemouth with his fourth goal in four games. But it is not just Cunha's 'ability on the ball which is on another level" that is bringing Semedo joy.

He said: "Matheus is a very important player for us. One of the best players in the league and he is helping us a lot, like with goals, but not only with the goals. It is his whole performance, like defensive work, you understand, and he knows how important that is for us.

"So when the guys see him working hard, everybody will give the extra that we need. So yeah, we're very lucky to have him. And I hope we keep it this way. I hope he keeps helping this team and we will try to help him the best way we can, as well."

Wolves have now won four of their 10 games under manager Vitor Pereira.

They sat in 19th place when the Portuguese manager replaced Gary O'Neil in December after a damaging defeat against Ipswich. That was a low point, and Semedo also highlighted the exit of captain Mario Lemina in January as a hard moment to get through.

He said. "Since the beginning of the season it's been a big fight for us but you have to carry on. You have to be the first ones to come in the next day, and push for the team, because we know we have quality to be out of this relegation fight. But unfortunately we are in this now.

"So it's what we have to do.

"Me, when I go home, I just try to switch off and, like, fuel myself with being happily with my kids, with my wife, and then be ready to work the next day at the club."

Wolves were given a helping hand when Illia Zabarnyi was sent off on 31 minutes after a VAR review for a challenge on Rayan Ain-Nouri which was deemed dangerous play.

Semedo, who is in talks with the club about signing a new contract, had already struck the post before he delivered the cross from which Cunha slotted in the only goal of the game five minutes later. Marshall Munetsi fluffed a chance to seal the points in the second half.

But Semedo was delighted that a fifth clean sheet of the season has taken Wolves five points clear of the drop zone with a chance to increase that gap at home to Fulham tomorrow.

He added: "We have a good game now at home with Fulham, and I think it's a good opportunity for us to increase this distance and carry on.

"We have to keep this team spirit, everyone working hard, everyone fighting for each other and I think like that it will be easier for us to stay in the Premier League.

"We are in a good way, but still have a long way to go, and we have to go step by step."

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