Matheus Cunha netted his 12th goal of the season as Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their place in the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-0 win against Championship promotion contenders Blackburn Rovers.

The hosts thought they had taken the lead when Dom Hyam headed home, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Wolves then struck twice in quick succession just past the half-hour mark. João Gomes' shot deflected in off goalkeeper Balázs Tóth to break the deadlock, before top scorer Cunha doubled the lead moments later with a clinical strike into the far corner.

The Brazilian forward, who signed a new contract with Wolves last weekend, had further opportunities after the break, heading over the bar and seeing two efforts saved by Tóth.

Blackburn entered the tie amid speculation regarding manager John Eustace’s future, with reports linking him to a return to his former club Derby County following Paul Warne’s dismissal on Friday.

Eustace made eight changes to the Rovers’ starting XI from Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at QPR, handing debuts to deadline-day signings Emmanuel Dennis and Yuri Ribeiro, while fellow January arrival Augustus Kargbo made his first start. Wolves manager Vítor Pereira, meanwhile, made five alterations to the side that defeated Aston Villa 2-0 last weekend.

The match began with a nervy moment for Blackburn as their attempt to play out from the back gifted Wolves an early chance, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s shot being saved by Tóth. The Hungarian goalkeeper was also equal to a Cunha free-kick shortly afterwards.

Blackburn spurned a promising opportunity when Kargbo fired over into the Darwen End, before seeing a goal ruled out in the 19th minute as Hyam’s header was chalked off for offside. It appeared a marginal decision, but with no VAR in place, the goal stood disallowed.

Seven minutes later, Kargbo went to ground under pressure from Emmanuel Agbadou and appealed for a penalty, only to be booked for simulation by referee Lewis Smith.

Wolves then took control with two goals in quick succession. Gomes' effort squirmed under Tóth’s body and over the line, before Cunha clinically finished past the Hungarian moments later after being set up by Nélson Semedo.

Blackburn sought a response before half-time, with Dennis heading wide and seeing another effort blocked by Sam Johnstone’s legs. Todd Cantwell then blazed over the bar early in the second half.

The Premier League side continued to threaten after the interval. Cunha and substitute Marshall Munetsi—another deadline-day signing making his debut—both headed off target from promising positions.

Wolves maintained their attacking pressure, with Tóth doing well to parry a powerful strike from Cunha before Munetsi fired wide. At the other end, Johnstone made a crucial save to deny Blackburn substitute Makhtar Gueye.

Cunha had one final chance to add to his tally, but Tóth thwarted him once more as Wolves comfortably secured their place in the next round.