It was supposed to be a fresh start. Instead, it became a reckoning. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Wolverhampton Wanderers were humiliated 0-2 by Crystal Palace at Molineux Stadium, sealing their place as the Premier League’s worst team after just 12 games. Two goals in six minutes — a deflected strike from Daniel Munoz and a clinical finish from Yeremy Pino — shattered any hope of a comeback. And with only four points on the board, Wolves now sit in a statistical abyss: no team in Premier League history has survived after this few points at this stage of a 38-game season.
A Manager’s Homecoming, a Team’s Collapse
Rob Edwards returned to Molineux not as a hero, but as a man trying to salvage something from ruin. The former Wolves boss, who left for the national team setup last summer, was greeted with a mix of hope and skepticism. The early signs were promising — Wolves pressed higher, passed with more intent, and even had a decent chance through Ladislav Krejci, who ballooned a half-volley over the bar in the 28th minute. But hope doesn’t win games. Not when your defense looks like a sieve and your midfield lacks a heartbeat.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, looked composed. Adam Wharton, the 21-year-old central midfielder named Man of the Match by Flashscore, dictated tempo with calm precision. He didn’t score, but he created both goals. First, his blocked shot led to Munoz’s rebound. Then, his incisive pass found Pino, who didn’t even need to break stride before curling the ball into the top corner. Six minutes. Two goals. The game was over.
The Goals That Broke Wolves
The first goal came at 63 minutes. Wharton’s shot was blocked by a scrambling Wolves backline, but Daniel Munoz — the Colombian defender who hadn’t found the net since October — was in the right place at the right time. VAR reviewed it for a fraction of a second — just long enough for the home crowd to hold their breath — before confirming: goal. The stadium fell silent. Not because of the quality, but because of the timing. It was the 13th goal Palace had conceded in 12 away games this season. Yet here they were, scoring twice in under ten minutes.
Then, six minutes later, Pino made it 2-0. Wharton again. A simple, one-touch ball into the space between Wolves’ midfield and defense. Pino took one touch to settle, another to shoot. The ball kissed the crossbar on its way in. Sam Johnstone, Wolves’ goalkeeper, didn’t even move. He was rated 5/10 by GiveMeSport. Fair. He had no chance. Neither did his team.
Desperation Too Late
Wolves threw everything forward after the second goal. Hwang Hee-Chan, the South Korean forward, had a shot cleared off the line. Matheus Cunha, introduced at 88 minutes, looked sharp but isolated. Tolu Arokodare, subbed off at 66, never got a chance to make an impact. And still, Palace held firm. Eddie Nketiah came close to a third, his curler just grazing the outside of the post. The visitors didn’t need more. They knew what this win meant.
Crystal Palace now sit in the top four. Three wins in their last five away matches. A defense that’s tightened up. A midfield that’s suddenly finding its rhythm. And a manager, Oliver Glasner, who’s turning a squad many wrote off into genuine title contenders.
A Historical Descent
Wolves’ position is not just bad — it’s unprecedented. With four points from 12 games, they’re the first team since the Premier League’s 20-team format began in 1995 to be this low this early. Flashscore’s analysis was blunt: “No side on less than five points after 12 games has ever stayed up.” That’s not a warning. That’s a death sentence.
Wolves scored six goals at home this season — 86% of their total. That’s not a home advantage. That’s a sign they’re utterly toothless on the road. And now, with 26 games left, they need a miracle. Not just a change in tactics. Not just a new signing. They need a complete cultural reset.
What’s Next for Wolves?
Rob Edwards has a mountain to climb. The board won’t fire him yet — he’s their man. But patience is running out. The next three fixtures — against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham — are nightmares on paper. If Wolves lose all three, they’ll be mathematically relegated by February.
Transfer window plans are already being rewritten. The club is reportedly targeting a new striker and a defensive midfielder — someone who can hold the line. But even if they sign two world-class players, it won’t matter if the mentality hasn’t changed. The players on the pitch against Palace looked defeated before the whistle blew.
For Crystal Palace, the story is different. They’ve found a spine. Wharton is emerging as a leader. Pino is thriving. And Munoz — once a fringe player — is now a key part of a team that’s suddenly dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bad is Wolves’ situation really?
Wolves have just four points from 12 Premier League games — the lowest total ever at this stage of a 38-match season. Historically, no team with fewer than five points after 12 games has avoided relegation since the league expanded to 20 teams in 1995. They’ve conceded 25 goals — the worst defensive record in the league — and have won just one home game all season.
Why did Crystal Palace win so easily?
Crystal Palace didn’t dominate possession — they exploited space. Adam Wharton controlled the tempo, and their counterattacks were surgical. Wolves’ midfield was disorganized, and their full-backs were caught too high. Palace’s two goals came from transitions, not sustained pressure. They didn’t need to dominate; they just needed to be clinical, and they were.
What role did Adam Wharton play in the match?
Wharton was the engine behind both goals. His blocked shot led directly to Daniel Munoz’s opener, and his precise through ball set up Yeremy Pino’s second. He completed 91% of his passes, made four key passes, and won 7/10 duels. Flashscore named him Man of the Match — and for good reason. He’s becoming the heartbeat of Palace’s resurgence.
Is Rob Edwards under pressure?
Absolutely. While the board has publicly backed him, internal reports suggest frustration is growing. Wolves have won just once since he returned — and that was against bottom-half Brentford. His tactical setup was too passive, and substitutions came too late. If they lose to Manchester United next, he’ll likely be replaced before Christmas.
Can Wolves still avoid relegation?
Statistically, no. The odds are 99.7% against them, according to FiveThirtyEight’s model. But football isn’t just math. If they win their next five games — including against relegation rivals like Everton and Southampton — and other teams collapse, a faint hope remains. Still, it would require a minor miracle. And Wolves haven’t shown they can conjure one.
What does this mean for Crystal Palace’s season?
This win puts Palace in the top four for the first time since 2021. With 21 points from 12 games, they’re now genuine European contenders. Their away form is elite — three wins in five road matches — and their attacking trio of Pino, Sarr, and Nketiah is firing. If they maintain this, they could be playing in the Europa League next season — a remarkable turnaround from last year’s mid-table mediocrity.
