UEFA Europa: Wolves OFFERED Hope after Boly's late goal while Red Devils Split points with Alkmaar

Boly scored the only goal to fetch Wolverhampton Wanderers their first win in Group K against Besiktas at the Vodafone Arena.

The English side lost their first game at the Molineux to Braga by a lone goal. Nuno Espirito Santos needed the three points to keep them challenging for the last 16 spot in the group. Beşiktaş surrendered a half-time lead and conceded twice in added time to lose 4-2 at Slovan Bratislava.

The game started with Besiktas as they utilized the width of the pitch and knocked the ball about at the back, waiting for pockets of space to open up. Wolves sat at the back comfortably and looked to hit the home side on the break.

Güven Yalçın missed the earlier chance of the game in the 18-minute. He arrowed one in from distance as a deflection en route took the sting out and it ended up wide of the target.

Jonny was later penalized for a foul on Lens. He chopped his man down on the edge of the box but the risky freekick was cleared from the danger. The game developed into a balanced one as the English side trended carefully and prevented being faltered. The hosts with few minutes to end the first half begun to pile pressure on Wolves, mounting attack after attack but it yielded to nothing.

Adama Traore was brought in for Neto in the 45-minute. Jiménez came close to hitting home the opener but his effort missed the target. João Moutinho whipped in a wonderful ball. The Mexican beat his marker to the near post, before he glanced over.

The efforts of both teams matched up to each other’s standard after efforts towards goal were missed and the various defense held compact against each other.

Boly scored for Wolves in additional time after everything seemed over. A deft ball in from Rúben Neves fell to the feet of the Frenchman. He was quick to react, took a touch and tucked it away.

Wolves are third on the league table with three points. Slovan Bratislava occupy the first spot trailed by Braga with four points each.

Manchester United played goalless

Manchester United in Group L played goalless with AZ Alkmaar at the Car Jeans Stadion, 48 miles south of Alkmaar, the home of ADO Den Haag. The reason for the change of venue was down to the collapse of the roof at AZ’s home ground AFAS stadium.

The Red Devils are winless in ten successive away matches (L6) in all competitions for the first time since February to September 1989 (11 matches).

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made eight changes following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

David de Gea, Victor Lindelof and Daniel James were the only players to retain their places in the starting line-up and there was a first senior start for 19-year-old academy left-back Brandon Williams.

AZ had the ball in the United net as early as the 11-minute. The visitors fell asleep from a corner, and Midtsjo was given all the time and space in the world to whip a cross into the box. It fell perfectly for Boadu, who glances a header past De Gea from six yards, but it was immediately, and correctly, ruled out for offside.

United saw a little bit more of the ball as they look to take the sting out of that promising AZ spell. They were yet to fashion a chance of note.

The first half produced an uninspiring half of football from Manchester United. The AZ side caused problem and arguably should have been in front. Without a recognized striker, United barely posed an attacking threat. 

 The United defence stood off Wijndal and he took an invitation to shoot in the 71-minute. David De Gea drew a fingertip save with a swerving shot from 25 yards. Rashford replaced James in th 63-minute as Greenwood took over from injured Lingard.

United's substitutes came alive in attack as McTominay threaded Lingard into space in the area. He took a touch to control before swiveling and fired a first-time effort towards goal, which flashed inches over the bar.