Wolverhampton Wanderers may have lost 3-2 to Espanyol courtesy of a spirited comeback from the Spaniards, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will not have minded as they cruised through to the last 16 of the Europa League. The opposition never seriously threatened to knock the Premier League’s eighth-placed side out of the competition, which allowed Wolves to play their usual counter-attacking style which gave right back Matt Doherty licence to roam forward.
The 28-year-old Irishman provided an attacking outlet for the visitors, as per WhoScored, dribbling around opponents on three occasions, playing a team-high two key passes, along with taking one shot on goal. Doherty’s late strike beat Andres Prieto in the Espanyol goal and saw the defender double his tally in Europe this season and add gloss to the overall result, meaning Santo’s side scored six goals over the two legs.
Much of the visitors’ play was channelled down the right side of the pitch, which resulted in Doherty making 48 passes with and 83.3 per cent accuracy, the most of any Wolves player, as per WhoScored. The Irishman was heavily involved in proceedings and regularly overlapped to stretch the opposition and give the Premier League side width. His one cross attempt was unsuccessful, however, the 28-year-old did complete the most through balls for Wolves as well as one accurate long ball, as per WhoScored.
To complete an incredibly rounded performance, Doherty recovered possession via two tackles, three interceptions and cleared the ball from danger on four occasions, as per WhoScored. Along with having an incredibly strong attacking influence on proceedings the 28-year-old Irishman was able to track back and ensure, even though Wolves lost, they progressed to the last 16 of the competition comfortably. It was a confident and disciplined display from the marauding right back, and it will be important he replicates it when Santo’s side face Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
In spite of defeat, the Midlands side will be quietly confident heading into the draw for the Europa League last 16, given the attacking threat they showed against Espanyol, few teams will fancy facing them.
