Wolves 0-2 Crystal Palace: Muñoz and Pino goals sink Edwards’ debut as Wolves stay winless
Nov, 23 2025
It wasn’t supposed to end like this. Rob Edwards, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender who once wore the club’s badge with pride, stepped onto the Molineux touchline for the first time as manager on Sunday, November 23, 2025, to a standing ovation from all four stands. By full time, the same fans were booing. Crystal Palace left with a 2-0 win, goals from Daniel Muñoz and Yeremy Pino, and the kind of momentum that makes top-four dreams feel real. Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers remain winless — 0-12-0 after 12 games — nine points from safety, and staring down the barrel of a relegation battle that feels more inevitable by the week.
Hope, then heartbreak: Edwards’ debut turns sour
Edwards, born on November 14, 1982, played 112 games for Wolves between 2002 and 2006. His return as manager was meant to be a homecoming. Fans waved scarves, chanted his name, and hoped the man who knew the club’s soul could fix its broken spine. For 62 minutes, it looked like it might work. Wolves looked organized. They pressed. They even had a few half-chances. But then came the deflection — Adam Wharton’s shot off Maxence Lacroix, looping awkwardly into the path of Daniel Muñoz, who didn’t miss. Empty net. 1-0. The stadium fell silent. And then, six minutes later, Yeremy Pino did something special. A curling left-footed strike from 20 yards, the kind of goal that makes goalkeepers look foolish and managers rethink their tactics. 2-0. The boos started then. Not just from the stands — from the dugout too.Crystal Palace’s quiet dominance
Crystal Palace didn’t dominate possession. They didn’t overwhelm. But they were clinical. And they were calm. Oliver Glasner — not ‘Tyler Glaster,’ as one YouTube transcript mistakenly called him — had his side playing with a maturity that belied their recent road woes. Before this match, Palace had lost their last two away games. Now, they’re fourth in the Premier League with 20 points from 12 matches (5W-5D-2L, +7 GD). Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guéhi returned from minor knocks, and both played pivotal roles. Mateta’s one-on-one chance in the 16th minute — a chance he scuffed horribly — was the closest Wolves came to scoring. After that, it was all Palace. Sam Johnstone, England’s backup keeper, made three solid saves, but couldn’t stop the inevitable. And Wolves? They didn’t register a single shot on target after halftime.The numbers don’t lie
Let’s put this in perspective. With 12 games played, Wolves have 0 wins. Zero. That’s the worst start to a Premier League season since Derby County in 2007-08 (0-3-9). Even then, they had 3 points. Wolves have none. They’re 19th. Brighton, Sunderland, and AFC Bournemouth all have 19 points. Wolves are nine points behind the safety line. And with 26 games left? That’s not a gap. That’s a canyon. Meanwhile, Palace are now just two points behind third-placed Arsenal. They’ve won four of their last five league games. This isn’t a fluke. It’s a rise.
Why this matters more than the scoreline
This isn’t just about relegation. It’s about identity. Wolves spent £120 million this summer trying to buy their way out of last season’s struggles. They brought in Arokodare, Larsen, and a new midfield. They hired Edwards — a man with no top-flight managerial experience — hoping for a spark. Instead, they’ve gotten more of the same: poor finishing, defensive disorganization, and a lack of belief. The team looked better early on, but when it mattered, they folded. And that’s the real problem. Not the goals conceded. Not the winless streak. It’s the mental collapse. Fans don’t mind losing if they see fight. They don’t mind rebuilding if they see progress. But this? This feels like stagnation.What’s next?
Edwards has 26 games to save his job — and possibly the club’s Premier League status. Next up: a home game against Leicester City on December 1. Then a trip to Manchester United. Neither will be easy. But neither is survival. The club’s board will be watching. The fans? They’re already preparing for the worst. And if Wolves don’t score a goal — or win a match — before Christmas, the calls for Edwards’ dismissal will become deafening.
Background: A club in freefall
Wolves haven’t finished higher than 11th since 2020. Since then, they’ve cycled through five managers. Nuno Espírito Santo left after a Champions League run. Bruno Lage was sacked after a 5-0 loss to Manchester City. Julen Lopetegui lasted seven months. And now Edwards? He was supposed to be the steady hand. Instead, he’s inherited a team with no confidence, no goals, and no clear direction. Their last win? October 19, 2024 — over 100 days ago. In that time, they’ve drawn three, lost eight. And now, with the January transfer window looming, they’ll need to sell to buy. It’s a vicious cycle.Frequently Asked Questions
How bad is Wolves’ start compared to other Premier League teams?
Wolves’ 0-12-0 record is the worst start to a Premier League season since Derby County in 2007-08 (0-3-9). No team in the last 25 years has gone 12 games without a win and stayed in the top flight. The lowest points total to survive relegation since 2000 was 34 (West Brom, 2019). Wolves need 34 points to have a realistic chance — meaning they’d need to win 11 of their remaining 26 games. That’s a 42% win rate. Historically, only two teams have achieved that after 12 winless games.
Why did Crystal Palace perform so well despite recent away losses?
Palace’s last two away defeats came against top-six sides (Liverpool and Arsenal), and they were competitive in both. Against Wolves, they adjusted tactically: they sat deeper, absorbed pressure, and struck on transitions. Their goals came from set-piece chaos and individual brilliance — not possession. Yeremy Pino and Daniel Muñoz exploited Wolves’ high defensive line. This win was built on discipline, not flair — and that’s exactly what Glasner needed.
What’s the impact on Rob Edwards’ future at Wolves?
Edwards’ job is in serious jeopardy. He was hired to bring stability, not chaos. The initial fan support turned to boos within 30 minutes of the second goal. Club insiders told the Wolverhampton Express that the board expects a win in the next three games or they’ll start exploring alternatives. His lack of top-flight experience is now a liability. If Wolves lose to Leicester next, he’ll likely be gone by January — even if he’s popular with the players.
Can Wolves still avoid relegation?
Mathematically, yes. Practically? It’s unlikely. They need to win 11 of 26 games and hope other teams collapse. But their defense has conceded 24 goals — the worst in the league. Their attack has scored just 7. That’s a ratio of 0.58 goals per game. Only one team in Premier League history — Derby in 2007-08 — survived with fewer than 1.0 goals per game. And even they had 11 wins. Wolves have zero. Without a major January overhaul — and a miracle — relegation looks inevitable.
Who are the key players to watch for Wolves in the second half of the season?
Tolu Arokodare, their £25 million summer signing, has been a disappointment — just one goal in 11 appearances. Jorgen Strand Larsen has shown flashes but lacks physicality. Midfielder Adam Wharton, though only 20, is the only player consistently pressing and linking play. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone remains reliable, but even he can’t save a team that doesn’t defend as a unit. If Wolves are to survive, it’ll be because Wharton and Johnstone carry them — and someone else steps up to score.
What does this result mean for Crystal Palace’s season?
It’s a statement. Palace are now genuine top-four contenders. They’ve beaten Arsenal, Manchester United, and now Wolves — all away from home. Their squad depth is improving, and Glasner has instilled a tactical identity: compact, patient, lethal on counters. If they can maintain this form, they could finish in the top four for the first time since 2019. And with a potential Europa League spot on the line, this win could be the foundation of their most successful season in a decade.