Lopez Shines in Wolves Victory Over Preston

Lopez arrived at Wolves this season with questions hanging over him. Last year he had stumbled, lost his place, and ended up back on loan at his former club. This campaign already feels different. He opened his account in old gold in the League Cup earlier in the month, and here he looked like a player reborn.

His first big moment came in a flash of pure pace and conviction. Picking up the ball with Preston defender Liam Lindsay for company, Lopez simply burned past him, leaving Lindsay trailing. He drove all the way into the box, never breaking stride, before lashing a powerful finish beyond Daniel Iversen. One run, one ruthless strike, and Wolves were in front.

The visitors sensed weakness. Almost immediately, Raul Jimenez — back for a second spell at the club — nearly added a second. The Mexican ghosted into position and met a close-range chance with a deft flick, only to watch it slide agonisingly the wrong side of the post. It would have been a fitting way to mark his return, but the net stayed still.

That near miss jolted the hosts. They had started slowly, but a spell of pressure finally arrived. Callum Lang forced the issue with an effort that seemed destined to halve the deficit, only for Marshall Munetsi to read it perfectly and head the ball off the line. It was a crucial intervention, a reminder that Wolves were willing to dig in as well as dazzle.

Just as the half looked set to drift to a narrow 1-0 lead, Wolves almost struck again. Rodrigo Gomes found space on the edge of the box and drilled a low strike towards the bottom corner. Iversen flung himself full stretch and managed to get a strong hand to it, turning the ball away. It kept Preston alive at the break, but the warning signs were everywhere.

The second half opened with changes from both benches, the match finely balanced and waiting for someone to seize it. That someone was Armstrong. Introduced from the bench, he injected sharp movement and intent into Wolves’ attack. On 71 minutes, he combined neatly with Jimenez, a slick one-two slicing open the defence and releasing him inside the area. Armstrong took full advantage, coolly slotting home to double the lead.

Preston’s resistance began to fray. Wolves, by contrast, played with the confidence of a side that knew the points were there for the taking. Lopez stepped back into the spotlight. Another crisp passing move worked the ball to him on the edge of the box, and he needed no second invitation. One touch to set himself, one emphatic finish, and his second goal of the night flew in with eight minutes left.

There was still time for the hosts to hit back. Thompson produced a composed finish of his own to make it 3-1, a reminder that they refused to fold completely. But the damage had been done earlier, in those cutting Wolves attacks and in Lopez’s renewed edge in front of goal.

For a player who ended last season back where he started, this felt like a statement. Lopez is not just back in old gold. He’s starting to look indispensable.