OneFootball
Joel Sanderson-Murray·28 September 2021
OneFootball
Joel Sanderson-Murray·28 September 2021
It was an exhilarating weekend in the Premier League but there was one man who stood out above the rest.
Our Player of the Week is âŠ
RaĂșl JimĂ©nez wouldâve been dreaming about the moment that took place in the 61st minute at St.Maryâs on Sunday for a long time.
The Wolves striker galloped towards a raucous away end, leapt in the air in celebration as a moment of raw emotion burst out along the south coast.
JimĂ©nez had just scored his first goal since netting in the match against Newcastle in October last season â a wait of 336 days.
It was the first time the Mexican has scored since his return from the horrific skull fracture injury he suffered against Arsenal in November 2020.
A stunning moment for the 30-year-old, and it was a strike that was fully deserved.
JimĂ©nez has been on the periphery in Wolvesâ games so far this season, mustering an average xG per game of only 0.40 from 15 shots so far this season before the weekend.
But the former Benfica man was heavily involved against Ralph HasenhĂŒttlâs side, displaying the strengths of his game for the first time since his return.
He dominated Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu, winning 12 of his 21 duels, the most on the pitch and ran the channels when he needed to while pressing his opponents at every opportunity.
He managed 56 touches, including nine in the opposition box, and it was one he took just after the hour mark which proved to be the pivotal moment in the game.
JosĂ© SĂĄâs long ball up field fell into JimĂ©nezâs path; he shrugged off Bednarek before gliding past Salisu and even feinted to shoot to beat Bednarek again for good measure.
The right-footed finish landed into the bottom corner and a weight had been lifted.