Wolves 2-0 Southampton: Hosts FINALLY win a game to ease pressure on Gary O'Neil as Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha sink Saints - after latest VAR controversy denies visitors

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Gary O’Neil wanted VAR scrapped at the end of last season but it might just have kept him in a job.

Wolves achieved their first win of the campaign and claimed the three points O’Neil probably needed to remain in post. The result will pile pressure back on Russell Martin, who admitted he was unsure whether he would be in charge for Southampton’s meeting with Liverpool on November 24.

As he roared in celebration to the South Bank, O’Neil knew he had enjoyed a couple of lucky breaks.

With Wolves leading through Pablo Sarabia’s second-minute goal, Saints thought they had equalised soon afterwards when Ryan Manning scored – only for it to be ruled out for a foul by Mateus Fernandes on Nelson Semedo in the build-up. It looked an extremely tight call, just as was the case when Wolves met Crystal Palace last weekend.

Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stoppage-time strike was chalked off for a foul on goalkeeper Jose Sa, with the score 2-2. VAR did not intervene even though there seemed to be little wrong with the challenge.

A fine Matheus Cunha strike helped Wolves earn their first win of the Premier League season

Pablo Sarabia scored for Wolves after 108 seconds - their fastest-ever Premier League goal

The result eases pressure on Gary O’Neil, who would have known he had some lucky breaks

‘Not interested,’ was O’Neil’s response was he was asked about his future. ‘It’s just a big win for the club. The win was not about me. A lot was made about me and my future by I’m really comfortable with my position. Today was about Wolves and the fans. Now we need to make sure we extend the unbeaten run.’

Had those incidents gone against Wolves, O’Neil would probably not have survived the international break. As it was, Matheus Cunha scored a glorious clinching goal early in the second half against Saints and O’Neil can breathe a little easier after this long-awaited win and a haul of five points from three games and now it is Martin looking over his shoulder.

‘We work as hard as we can and show care and love and commitment to the players,’ he said. ‘The rest is out of my control. I hope I’ll be talking to you in two weeks but if I’m not, we’ll see.’

It was the usual story for Saints: plenty of possession, lots of pleasing moves, zero threat in front of goal. If they cannot manage a shot on target against one of the Premier League’s jumpiest defences, it is hard to see a route to survival for them.

Wolves could not have made a better start. Kyle Walker-Peters tried a bizarre diving header to cut out Toti Gomes’ ball forward and Cunha seized possession.

The Brazilian surged into Saints territory and delivered a pass of perfect weight, which matched by similar run from Sarabia. Sarabia’s touch took him beyond Aaron Ramsdale and left a simple finish. A goal inside 110 seconds should have been the perfect platform.

Instead, Wolves were living on their nerves. Adam Armstrong shot wide from the edge of the box and then Wolves had their moment of good fortune.

Wolves wasted chances to clear and the ball ricocheted to Manning, who hammered across Jose Sa and into the top corner. Yet the goal was overturned for an apparent foul by Mateus Fernandes on Nelson Semedo just before the ball reached Manning.

Southampton thought they had levelled only to see Ryan Manning's effort ruled out

Russell Martin admitted he was unsure if he will be in charge after the international break 

Southampton are stuck on four points after 11 games and had no shots on target at Molineux

Wolves defended for their lives as Saints pushed late on, managing to cling to their lead

Having cursed VAR so often during his tenure, O’Neil probably felt he deserved a bit of luck. It did not calm his team as it should have.

After securing their first win of the season against Everton last weekend, Saints were by far the more fluent team. The problem was that, apart from the disallowed goal, they did not have the edge to trouble Sa.

O’Neil and Rayan Ait-Nouri had a brief spat close to the touchline and Wolves squeezed to half-time still in front. Cunha had a face of thunder as he headed down the tunnel and it was left to Ruben Neves to lift an anxious crowd. Neves was sold to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League for £47million a year ago but addressed the crowd at half-time and was given an adoring reception for six memorable years at Molineux.

Perhaps Neves had been in the dressing room, too. Wolves looked a different proposition in the early moments of the second half as Ait-Nouri had an effort blocked and Aaron Ramsdale denied Joao Gomes before Wolves’ main man produced a moment of true class.

Cunha collected Mario Lemina’s pass, turned and caught his shot perfectly, sending it swerving beyond Ramsdale. Saints believed Craig Dawson had fouled Adam Armstrong to start the move and were furious, with Ramsdale charging over to the linesman to make his case. It is growing harder to make one for Southampton being a top-flight club next August.