Raul Jimenez goal fires Wolves into ninth as Burnley woe continues

Raul Jimenez scored the winner for Wolves as they inflicted a fourth successive Premier League defeat on struggling Burnley.

The lunchtime game saw the home side dominate but there was not a feast of chances in the first half.

Joe Hart was in fine form and kept out efforts from Jimenez and Matt Doherty while the Clarets, who started with Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes, offered little as an attacking force.

There was a glut of chances in the second half with Jimenez missing a glorious opportunity that was handed to him on a plate by Diogo Jota.

But Nuno Espirito Santo’s side eventually broke the deadlock courtesy of Jimenez’s first-time finish in the box from Doherty’s cross.

The home side threw on Adama Traore in the closing stages who made more impact than Burnley’s changes in Chris Wood, Ashley Westwood and Matej Vydra.

And the newly promoted side held on for back-to-back wins despite Leo Bonatini missing two sitters to climb to ninth place while Sean Dyche’s side slip to 19th.

Why are Burnley a shadow of the side that finished 7th last season? The lack of summer investment in the squad along with the extra games they had in the Europa League is haunting them. Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes, who netted 19 between them last season, have yet to score in the league. Their next two games against Bournemouth and Cardiff are seemingly must-win to avoid a relegation dogfight.

Matt Doherty (Wolves): The fullback was in the thick of the actiion from the first minute with his overlapping runs and workrate. He set up the winning goal and was a constant threat on the right flank.

WOLVES: Patricio 5, Bennett 5, Coady 6, Boly 6, Doherty 8, Moutinho 6, Neves 5, Castro 6, Costa 6, Jota 7, Jimenez 8. Subs: Traore 5, Bonatini n/a Gibbs-White n/a

BURNLEY: Hart 8, Bardsley 5, Tarkowski 7, Mee 6, Taylor 5, Lennon 4, Cork 5, Hendrick 5, Gudmundsson 5, Vokes 5, Barnes 4. Subs: Vydra 7, Wood 5, Westwood n/a

31’ - GOOD SAVE! Jota’s low cross finds Jimenez whose shot from close range is parried by Hart. A minute later, Hart tips away Doherty's low drive.

46’ - WHAT A MISS! Bardsley's mistake puts in Jota who tees up Jimenez whose drive in the box goes over.

61’ - GOAL FOR WOLVES! Jimenez steers the ball into the bottom corner from Doherty's cross.

67’ - CLOSE! Vydra's volley across goal flashes past Cork at the back post who cannot get a touch.

90'+4 - BONATINI MISS! The same duo combine with Traore's low cross finding Bonatini whose shot from close range goes wide.

Burnley have not won an away top-flight game in September since 1974 when they beat Liverpool.

Wolves have only lost two of their 28 home games in all competitions under Nuno Espírito Santo.