Two second-half goals from Crystal Palace crushed the last remaining hope of a turnaround for Wolverhampton Wanderers on a grim Saturday at Molineux Stadium. The 2-0 defeat, sealed by Yeremy Pino’s breathtaking 69th-minute strike, wasn’t just another loss — it was a brutal confirmation that Wolves are in freefall. Rob Edwards, appointed just hours before kickoff, walked into a nightmare: 12 games, zero wins, two points, and a goal difference of -20. This wasn’t a rebuilding phase. It was a freefall.
Edwards’ First Game, a Nightmare Start
Rob Edwards’ debut as Wolves manager was never going to be easy. But few expected it to end with his team looking utterly devoid of belief. The visitors, Crystal Palace, came into the match in fourth place — a remarkable turnaround from last season’s mid-table mediocrity. Wolves? They hadn’t won since April 2025. Their last Premier League victory was a 2-1 win over Fulham. Now, they’re on the brink of becoming the first team since Newcastle in 2021-22 to lose all of their first 12 league games. And with only 2 points from 36 available, they’re already the third-worst start in top-flight history.
Edwards, a former Cardiff and Preston boss, was brought in to stabilize. But the squad he inherited looks broken. No rhythm. No cohesion. No goals. Sam Johnstone, the 32-year-old goalkeeper, was the only one holding things together — making six saves before the dam finally broke. Even then, his efforts were undermined by a defense that seemed to forget how to mark.
The Goals That Broke Them
The first goal came in the 63rd minute — not from a flash of genius, but from chaos. A short corner from Adam Wharton found its way to the edge of the box. His shot, aimed low, took a cruel deflection off Maxence Lacroix’s leg. The ball spun like a roulette wheel — and landed perfectly for Daniel Muñoz, who didn’t even need to stretch. Just a tap-in into an empty net. The silence at Molineux was deafening.
Six minutes later, the coffin was nailed shut. Yeremy Pino received the ball just outside the box, turned with the grace of a dancer, and unleashed a curling right-footed shot that kissed the crossbar before nestling into the top corner. “Stunning,” called beIN Sports. It was his fifth goal of the season — and the kind of moment that makes managers sit up and take notice. Palace had been patient. Wolves had been hopeless.
Missed Chances and VAR Controversy
Wolves had chances — or at least, they had moments. Strand Larsen’s early drive fizzed wide. Daichi Kamada’s volley was brilliantly saved by Johnstone. But the real turning point came early: David Moller Wolfe tangled with Ismaïla Sarr on the edge of the box. Palace screamed for a penalty. VAR reviewed it. The call? No foul. Just a free-kick. The decision sparked fury from the visitors’ bench, but it was the kind of call that, in hindsight, felt symbolic — Wolves were being denied even the benefit of the doubt.
And then there was Jean-Philippe Mateta. The French striker, usually clinical, was played through one-on-one with Johnstone in the 16th minute. He didn’t even get a shot off — just scuffed it wide. That moment, more than any other, exposed the gulf between Palace’s confidence and Wolves’ desperation.
The Bigger Picture: Relegation on the Horizon
Wolves are now nine points from safety. With the winter transfer window opening in January, Edwards has less than six weeks to convince owners to back him with new signings — and to convince his players they’re worth saving. The last time a team survived after being this bad after 12 games? No one has. Not since Sheffield United in 2020-21 (1 point) and Manchester United in 1930-31 (0 points) has a team had such a catastrophic start and stayed up.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace — under manager Oliver Glasner — have gone from being a mid-table side to genuine top-four contenders. Their 5-5-2 record, +7 goal difference, and a squad full of players finally clicking under pressure is the story of the season so far. Pino, Wharton, Muñoz — they’re not just scoring. They’re playing with joy.
What’s Next?
Wolves’ next fixture is a home game against Brentford on December 1 — a match they must win to have any hope of staying alive. But with no goals, no confidence, and no clear plan, it’s hard to imagine how they’ll turn it around. Edwards’ job is on the line. The fans are already muttering about a return to the Championship.
For Palace, it’s about maintaining momentum. A trip to Manchester United looms on December 6. If they can take points from Old Trafford, they’ll be firmly in the Champions League conversation. This win wasn’t just about climbing to fourth. It was about proving they belong there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bad is Wolves’ start compared to other Premier League teams?
Wolves’ two points from 12 games is the third-worst in top-flight history after 12 matches, behind only Sheffield United (2020-21, 1 point) and Manchester United (1930-31, 0 points). No team has ever survived from this position and avoided relegation. Their -20 goal difference is the worst in the league — and they’ve conceded more goals than any other team since the 2021-22 season.
Why has Crystal Palace improved so dramatically this season?
Under Oliver Glasner, Palace have shifted from reactive to proactive. They’re pressing higher, creating more chances (1.8 per game, up from 1.2 last season), and their midfield trio of Wharton, Hughes, and Pino have formed a cohesive unit. Pino’s five goals and three assists are the most by a Palace winger in a single Premier League campaign since Wilfried Zaha in 2018-19.
What does this mean for Rob Edwards’ future at Wolves?
Edwards’ job is hanging by a thread. With no wins, no goals, and no signs of improvement, the board will likely act before January’s transfer window. If he fails to win at least two of the next four games — especially against Brentford and Leicester — his departure is almost certain. The club’s hierarchy has already signaled they’re willing to spend big, but only if they see a clear plan.
Can Wolves still avoid relegation?
Mathematically, yes — but realistically, no. They’d need to win 12 of their remaining 26 games and hope every team above them collapses. Even a 10-win, 1-draw run would leave them five points short. Their only realistic hope is a dramatic turnaround in January, with at least three top-tier signings — and even then, the odds are 95% against them.
Who were the key players in Crystal Palace’s win?
Yeremy Pino was the star — his goal was the highlight, but his work rate and dribbling created space for others. Adam Wharton controlled the midfield, providing both assists. Daniel Muñoz, often overlooked, scored his first Premier League goal and played with physicality that disrupted Wolves’ backline. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson made three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Did VAR play a decisive role in this match?
Yes — but not in the way Palace hoped. The decision to deny a penalty after Wolfe’s challenge on Sarr was correct by the letter of the law — the foul occurred just outside the box. But the controversy highlighted how inconsistent VAR decisions can feel to fans. Wolves’ players were visibly frustrated, and the lack of a goal-scoring opportunity from the resulting free-kick showed how momentum can shift with a single call.