Wolves Dominate Blackburn with Clinical Finishing
Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their spot in the FA Cup fifth round with a convincing 2-0 victory over Championship side Blackburn Rovers, thanks to Matheus Cunha‘s continued brilliance. The Brazilian forward netted his 12th goal of the season in a match that showcased Wolves’ growing confidence under manager Vitor Pereira.
The game turned decisively in Wolves’ favor during a two-minute blitz just past the half-hour mark. João Gomes opened the scoring with a shot that trickled past Blackburn goalkeeper Balázs Tóth, before Cunha doubled the advantage with a precise finish into the far corner. According to Baji live match analysts, this quickfire double demonstrated Wolves’ ability to capitalize on momentum shifts – a trait that’s becoming characteristic of Pereira’s side.
Tactical Analysis: How Wolves Controlled the Game
Blackburn started brightly but were undone by Wolves’ organized defensive structure and rapid transitions. The Championship side saw a Dom Hyam header controversially ruled out for offside in the 19th minute – a decision that might have gone differently with VAR intervention. Former Premier League defender turned Baji live pundit Mark Thompson noted: “Wolves’ high defensive line was risky but effective, catching Blackburn offside multiple times in dangerous positions.”
Wolves’ midfield trio of Gomes, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, and Boubacar Traoré dominated possession, completing 87% of their passes according to Baji live tracking data. This control allowed full-backs Nelson Semedo and Rayan Aït-Nouri to push forward aggressively, with Semedo providing the assist for Cunha‘s goal.
Cunha’s Rising Stock in English Football
The match further highlighted Matheus Cunha‘s importance to Wolves’ attack. The Brazilian international could have added to his tally after the break, testing Tóth multiple times with powerful strikes. His movement between the lines and ability to link play was particularly impressive, completing 4 key passes and creating 2 big chances.
Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison, speaking on Baji live post-match analysis, suggested: “Cunha has outgrown Wolves already. His technical quality and football intelligence would shine at a Champions League club. While the new contract gives Wolves bargaining power, I’d be surprised if he’s still at Molineux next season.”
Blackburn’s Off-Field Distractions
The match occurred against a backdrop of uncertainty for Blackburn, with manager John Eustace reportedly subject to an approach from Derby County. Eustace made eight changes to his lineup, handing debuts to new signings Emmanuel Dennis and Yuri Ribeiro. While the fresh faces showed flashes of quality, Blackburn lacked cohesion in the final third.
Wolves, by contrast, looked settled despite making five changes themselves. Pereira’s rotation policy appears to be building squad depth effectively, with deadline-day signing Marshall Munetsi making his debut as a second-half substitute and showing promising signs.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Wolves, this victory continues their strong cup form and maintains momentum following their recent Premier League win over Aston Villa. They’ll approach the fifth round draw with genuine belief they can make a deep run in the competition.
Blackburn must now refocus on their Championship promotion push, though the potential departure of Eustace could complicate matters. Their performance, while ultimately unsuccessful, did show glimpses of the attacking football that has made them playoff contenders this season.
Key Takeaways from Baji live Analysis
- Wolves’ clinical finishing proved the difference in a tight cup tie
- Matheus Cunha continues to enhance his reputation with another decisive performance
- Blackburn’s squad rotation and off-field speculation may have disrupted their rhythm
- Wolves’ defensive organization and midfield control were key tactical advantages
- The absence of VAR led to controversial decisions that might have affected the outcome
As Wolves progress in the FA Cup, their fans can dream of Wembley while keeping a firm grip on their rising star Cunha. For Blackburn, the focus returns to league action and resolving their managerial situation. Follow Baji live for more in-depth tactical analysis and breaking football news.
