Lopetegui | Wolves showed 'a big heart and a big spirit' to beat Saints

Julen Lopetegui has praised the spirit and heart of his players on display at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Wolves fought from a goal – and a man – down to earn a fifth successive Premier League win against Southampton.

The head coach, who lamented the decision to send Mario Lemina off just moments after Southampton had opened the scoring, was full of admiration for his side’s ability to fight until the very end, as Adama Traore forced an own goal from Jan Bednarek before Joao Gomes fired in on his debut.

On fighting from behind against the Saints

“It was a very hard match above all because we played against a good team. They scored before us and we suffered, in my opinion, a very unbalanced and very unfair sending off for Lemina.

“But in the end, we suffered and it was difficult, but we believed and we worked in a very good way in the second-half.

“First of all, not suffering a second goal was key. We tried to draw and to win and it was a very good win for us. The players showed that they have a very big heart. They worked, they ran and they suffered, but in the end they have this reward.”

On the spirit within his squad

“I have to give the gratitude to the players because they had to make a big effort. They believed in the bad moments with one player less for 70 minutes and they were losing the match.

“But in the end, they showed that when they play together, when they work together, they have a big heart and a big spirit. In the end, you could lose, of course, but they showed when they believe and when they work together, they can overcome difficult situations like we had today. To play with one player less for so long was very difficult, and when you are losing – even more.”

On a whole team effort

“I know about the character because they have showed this already for me, but today it was very difficult. That’s why I clapped them today because they showed character like a hero. But this is going to be a good reflection for them because they are able to do better and be a good team when they work very hard.

“Not only the starting line-up players, but the players that come on after from the bench. Some of them didn’t play today, but they were there shouting and supporting their teammates, so in the end it’s about the team, and we are very happy for the three points and happy for the fans who came here too.”

On a debut goal from Gomes

“He’s a very good player. It was a very hard match for him. It was his first match, playing with one player less and losing the match, but he showed that he has a big character, a big personality and football quality, and that’s why my club buy him.

“I’m very happy for him and he’s happy for the team.”

On Lemina’s sending off

“He didn’t deserve this yellow card. I think it was because he was dismissive of him [Gillett], but I don’t know. It was very strange. For you to have one player less in the pitch, you need to have said several things, but it’s only because he said one thing.

“I have seen the images and there are a few players saying things to him, but he picked the first player he saw when he turned. But I don’t know.

“To me, it was a very unfair decision, because to play 11 v 11 against Southampton is hard, but to play 10 against 11 and losing the match is much more. But in the end, he takes his decision which was against us, but above all, I prefer to keep talking about the heat, the spirit and the reaction of the players.”

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