Brazilian scores once and assists twice as Vitor Pereira’s side ease to a 3-0 victory at Molineux

An inspired performance from Matheus Cunha propelled Wolverhampton Wanderers to a sixth consecutive Premier League win, as they triumphed 3-0 over relegated Leicester City.

The Brazilian scored and provided two assists as the rejuvenated hosts extended their record streak of victories in the competition at Molineux, where Jamie Vardy’s second-half penalty was denied by Wolves goalkeeper José Sá.

Cunha broke the deadlock with a close-range finish for his 15th league goal of the season for Wolves, who secured their top-flight status after last weekend’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian then turned provider after the break, assisting Jorgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes to condemn the Foxes to a 10th defeat in their last 11 matches.

Vitor Pereira’s side climbed above Everton and Manchester United, who were due to play AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, into 13th place, while Leicester remain 19th.

How the Match Unfolded

Wolves created the greater attacking threat from the outset. Cunha was slightly off target with a long-range shot, before also firing straight at Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

Rayan Ait-Nouri was then denied by Wout Faes on the line, but the Algerian played a key role in Wolves breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute. His fizzing low ball across the six-yard box was turned in by Cunha.

Strand Larsen should have doubled the hosts' lead when he fired over from two yards out. However, the Wolves striker made amends in the 56th minute, receiving a well-timed pass from Cunha and slotting the ball past Hermansen.

Leicester were given a lifeline in the 70th minute when José Sá fouled Vardy in the box, but the Wolves goalkeeper atoned for his error by guessing correctly to deny Leicester’s captain.

The hosts sealed the victory five minutes from time, with substitute Gomes scoring a neat finish from a Cunha pass, rounding off a swift counter-attack.

Six in a Row for Wolves

To describe Wolves as riding the crest of a wave would be an understatement.

Pereira’s side mathematically confirmed their Premier League survival with their victory at Old Trafford last weekend. Now, they were looking to secure six straight top-flight wins for the first time since 1970.

After several warning shots, Wolves finally broke the deadlock with Cunha in the right place at the right time to convert Ait-Nouri’s cross.

Strand Larsen, who had been off target from close range on two separate occasions, was third time lucky, finishing neatly from Cunha’s through-ball to effectively put the game beyond Leicester.

The hosts were given a scare when the referee awarded the Foxes a penalty in the final 20 minutes. However, after Sá thwarted Vardy, it was relatively plain sailing for Wolves, with Rodrigo adding the finishing touch.

Wolves will face reigning Premier League champions Manchester City next Friday, and will travel to the Etihad Stadium full of confidence as they look to maintain their strong finish to the season.

Leicester Outfoxed

With their Premier League fate already sealed, Leicester are now playing for pride in an attempt to build some momentum ahead of their return to the Championship next season.

However, Ruud van Nistelrooy would have known it would be difficult to do that against a Wolves side brimming with confidence. The Foxes failed to heed their early warnings and were eventually punished when Cunha struck from close range.

Leicester lost Bobby De Cordova-Reid to injury before the break, and Van Nistelrooy made three changes at half-time.

Bilal El Khannouss came close with a long-range shot in the 55th minute, but within 60 seconds, Leicester found themselves 2-0 down as Wolves sliced through their defence, with Cunha and Strand Larsen combining.

Vardy, who announced during the week that he would leave Leicester at the end of the season, had the chance to begin his farewell tour with a goal, but his tame penalty was saved by Sá in the bottom-right corner.

Rodrigo then put the match well and truly beyond the Foxes later on, as they failed to score in a 16th Premier League game this season.

Leicester will look to improve in their final four matches, starting with a fixture against fellow relegated side Southampton next weekend.

What the Managers Said

Vitor Pereira:

"Our focus has been on giving confidence to the players, establishing a tactical identity, and creating a connection with the supporters. It’s simple — this is what we’ve been doing since day one. With good messages and good work, we’ve built this energy and connection. We must feel proud of ourselves, and we must make the supporters proud. The result is out of our hands, but at the end of the game, we must feel proud of our efforts."

Ruud van Nistelrooy:

"I assess the performance, and it wasn't good enough. I’m not talking football-wise; I’m talking about intensity, duels. We lost too many easy balls in possession, especially in the first half. In the second half, yes, we conceded two goals on the counter-attack, but we were better in those aspects. Overall, today wasn't good enough."

Remaining Premier League Fixtures

• Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Fri 02 May, 20:00 – Manchester City (A)

• Sat 10 May, 15:00 – Brighton & Hove Albion (H)

• Sun 18 May, 15:00 – Crystal Palace (A)

• Sun 25 May, 16:00 – Brentford (H)

Leicester City

• Sat 03 May, 15:00 – Southampton (H)

• Sun 11 May, 14:15 – Nottingham Forest (A)

• Sun 18 May, 15:00 – Ipswich Town (H)

• Sun 25 May, 16:00 – AFC Bournemouth (A)

Key Facts

• Wolves have won six consecutive matches in the top flight for the first time since September/October 1970.

• Leicester have conceded first in 29 of their 34 Premier League matches this season — the most ever by a side in a single 38-game campaign in the competition.

• Since Pereira’s first Premier League match in charge (22 December), only Liverpool (13) and Newcastle United (12) have won more matches in the competition than Wolves (10).

• Leicester have lost 24 Premier League games this season; only in 1977/78 and 1994/95 have they ever lost more in a single league campaign (both 25).