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By GETHIN HICKS, REPORTER Published: 05: 11 AEDT, 1 February 2026 | Updated: 07: 58 AEDT, 1 February 2026 1 View comments Andoni Iraola made it 100 Premier League games in charge of Bournemouth on Saturday, and his players produced a performance for the occasion. The Cherries weathered an early storm after Wolves came out the traps flying, and silenced the Molineux crowd on 33 minutes when Eli Kroupi Junior fired home from range. Alex Scott side-footed a chance he couldn't miss into an open net to make it 2-0 in added time and the 1, 800 Bournemouth fans packed into a small corner of the Stan Cullis Stand rejoiced. Wolves supporters had seen enough. They headed for the exit, many before the final whistle, after another miserable afternoon in the Black Country. Daily Mail Sport's GETHIN HICKS was in position to analyse the action. Andoni Iraola made it 100 Premier League games in charge of Bournemouth on Saturday, and his players put on a performance for the occasion Eli Kroupi Junior silenced the home crowd on 33 minutes with a stunning strike from distance Alex Scott later sealed the Cherries' victory with a tap-in during added time When Antoine Semenyo was sold to Man City with Bournemouth winless in 10, Cherries supporters had reason to fear what the rest of their season may entail. The Ghanaian netted 32 goals in 110 appearances for the club and, in the ilk of Wilfried Zaha at Crystal Palace or Jack Grealish during his Aston Villa days, had become their talisman. But waiting in the wings was young Eli Kroupi Jr, 19, who looks like he has what it takes to become Semenyo's successor. Deployed in the No. 10 position on Saturday, the Frenchman was a thorn in Wolves' side and provided the standout moment of the day. After picking up the ball up on the edge of the box, Kroupi lashed a half-volley into the back of the net past the helpless Jose Sa. He wheeled away to celebrate with swagger, undeterred by the jeers aimed at him from the Sir Jack Hayward end. It was his eighth Premier League goal of the season. That's more than any other teenager in the top flight. He was replaced on 70 minutes by club-record signing Rayan who, making his debut, didn't show any signs of nervousness. Iraola has some serious talent on his hands. Kroupi Jr, 19, was a thorn in Wolves' side and has what it takes to be Antoine Semenyo's successor Club-record signing Rayan, who joined this week from Brazil, impressed off the bench In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Rob Edwards spoke of an improving relationship between his players and their support. Rightly so, in recent weeks Wolves have - at last - given their fans something to shout about. They started brightly against Bournemouth too and the impressive Mateus Mane thought he had scored the opener early on when his header struck the back of the net, only to see it chalked off for offside. Bournemouth's improvement thereafter coincided with loud groans from the Wolves support. Their frustration was palpable when Hee Chan Hwang played one shockingly careless pass in the middle of the park while the score was still level. Minutes later, after another ball astray from Andre, the visitors went 1-0 up. Scott, arguably the pick of the Cherries' players, made it two at the death when the hosts surrendered possession at the back yet again. The referee blew the final whistle amid swathes of empty orange seats around Molineux. The few who stayed let their frustrations be known as Edwards consoled his players, many of whom stood with their heads bowed, some even collapsed to their knees. Despite their recent upturn in form, it's a matter of when Wolves' relegation will be confirmed, rather than if, and it has been for a while. Rob Edwards' side suffered another disappointing loss as fans vented their frustrations If that was indeed Jorgen Strand Larsen's goodbye to the Black Country, his manager needs a replacement When Chan Hwang trundled off like something of a pantomime villain amid a chorus of boos from his own fans on 70 minutes, he was replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Wolves No. 9 was deployed in a front two alongside Tolu Arokodare. That partnership comprised of a duo with one league goal each this season. Both missed gilt-edged chances to score an equaliser. Tolu side-footing an effort from the penalty spot straight at Petrovic in the second-half and, later, Strand Larsen skewing a shot wide with the goal gaping in front of him. The Norwegian led the Wolves players as they trudged apologetically around the stadium post-match. It could be his last time doing so, as rumours of a move to Crystal Palace continue to swirl. If that was indeed Strand Larsen's goodbye to the Black Country, his manager needs a replacement. Wolves (5-3-2): Jose Sa 5, Hugo Bueno 6, Emmanuel Agbadou 5, Yerson Mosquera 6, Santiago Bueno 6, Rodrigo Gomes 7, Joao Gomes 5, Andre 5, Hee Chan Hwang 4, Mateus Mane 7, Tolu 6 Subs: Strand Larsen 5, Bellegarde 5, Arias 5, Moller Wolfe 5 Manager: Rob Edwards 6 Bournemouth (4-3-3): Djordje Petrovic 5, Adrien Truffert 6, James Hill 6, Marcos Senesi 6, Alex Jimenez 6, Adam Smith 6, Alex Scott 8, Lewis Cook 7, Amine Adli 6, Eli Kroupi Jr 7, Evanilson 6. Subs: Rayan 7, Christie 7, Unal 6, Toth 6, Diakite 5 Manager: Andoni Iraola 7
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