Wolverhampton Wanderers moved into the top three in the Premier League on Friday evening as they recorded a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Molineux.
Teenage defender Rayan Ait-Nouri will take much of the plaudits having scored their opener in the 18th minute, becoming the youngest-ever Frenchman to score on debut in the English top-flight.
Daniel Podence is another Wolves star who will take praise having doubled the lead less than ten minutes later with a fine strike at the back post.
However, there was one player who went under the radar and outshone the pair of them – Nelson Semedo.
The 26-year-old has seamlessly fitted in as Matt Doherty’s direct replacement and on Friday, displayed exactly why Nuno Santo wanted to splash a whopping €40m (£36m) on his services.
Semedo was a major threat at either end of the pitch, condemning Roy Hodgson’s decision to bring Patrick van Aanholt back into the starting XI.
The Portuguese international won 100% of his duels whilst also recording two shots, four dribbles, three tackles, two clearances and one key pass, per SofaScore.
He also made 85% of his 53 passing attempts and delivered two crosses for Raul Jimenez.
Express & Star reporter Joe Edwards dubbed his display “his best outing in a Wolves shirt so far, without a doubt” whilst BirminghamLive were left wowed by his ability to create space, claiming: “It’s how Semedo used that space which was so impressive. He had the beating of Schlupp and van Aanholt on his own at times and chipped in with a few vital blocks and headers too.”
Neither of Wolves’ goalscoring duo won more duels than Semedo – Podence won just one of four on the ground with Angers loanee Ait-Nouri losing four of nine, via SofaScore.
Semedo arguably stole the show under the lights at Molineux and is now looking every bit of a bargain signing from La Liga giants Barcelona.
AND in other news, Wolves have ready-made Moutinho heir in “goal threat” who’s their best prospect since Gibbs-White…