Matheus Cunha’s fourth goal in four games gave Wolves a valuable three points in their fight for Premier League survival as they beat 10-man Bournemouth.
Illia Zabarnyi’s first-half dismissal proved costly for the high-flying Cherries who started the afternoon with hopes of moving into the top four.
Instead of underlining their Champions League credentials, Bournemouth slipped to only their second defeat since 23 November. For their part, Wolves opened up a five-point gap to the bottom three.
The hosts’ defensive line was broken less than five minutes after Ukraine international Zabarnyi was sent off.
Impressive Brazil forward Cunha lifted the ball over home goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after James Hill and Dean Huijsen failed to clear Nelson Semedo’s cross from the right.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth had started the game on the front foot with Marcus Tavernier’s whipped effort signalling their intent.
However, Vitor Pereira’s visitors grew into the game, with Semedo hitting the base of the home post with a left-foot effort and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s follow-up attempt superbly repelled by Arrizabalaga.
At the other end of the pitch Justin Kluivert forced Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa into a smothering save and the contest was very much in the balance when Zabarnyi went sliding in on Rayan Ait-Nouri.
The former Dynamo Kyiv defender was initially shown a yellow card by referee Michael Salisbury, but that was upgraded to red after a VAR review deemed his challenge to be dangerous, with Zabarnyi’s left foot slipping off the top of the ball on to the shin of the Wolves wing-back.
It was understandably tough going for the home side after the break, with the visitors making the most of their numerical advantage.
Wolves had an opportunity to double their lead when Marshall Munetsi guided a gilt-edged chance wide from Bellegarde’s cross, and they always looked comfortable with Bournemouth having just one shot in the second half.