Raul Jimenez scored a 90th-minute winner off the bench, giving Wolves a 1-0 victory against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The late strike lifted Wolves to seventh in the Championship table while keeping their early promotion ambitions firmly intact.
Jimenez Strikes Late to Settle a Stalled Contest
A tight fixture in the Steel City seemed destined to end in a scoreless draw until the closing moments of regulation. The decisive breakthrough arrived in the 90th minute when Kieran Trippier moved the ball to Tommy Doyle, whose miscued shot rolled into the path of Raul Jimenez. Stationed at the far post, the Mexican striker swept home from close range to snatch a mood-changing victory for Wolves.
The goal mirrored a familiar pattern for the veteran forward. At 35 years old, Jimenez has built a reputation for delivering when it matters most, having previously rescued a point for his side with a late penalty in a 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
“He’s 35 years old, so we have to manage him the best way. He’s a key player for us. This week, we have three games, so we had to manage the options. Raul, as a captain, helped the team from the bench, not only with the goal he scored, but he helped to defend the set-pieces.”
Cesar Peixoto, Wolves head coach, via Sky Sports
Controversial Officiating and Frustrated Opportunities at Bramall Lane
Before the late winner broke the deadlock, referee Rob Jones found himself at the center of several flashpoints that left both dugouts aggrieved. Shortly after the second-half restart, Wolves mounted a strong appeal for a penalty when Mateus Mane lifted the ball over Mark McGuinness, only for the ball to strike the defender’s outstretched arm. Jones waved away the appeals, awarding only a corner kick.
“His arm comes out, it hits him on the end of the arm. I think Sheffield United have probably got away with one there.”
Gary Rowett, co-commentator, via Sky Sports Football
Sheffield United also had cause for frustration. Chris Wilder’s side watched Ladislav Krejci avoid a second yellow card after hauling down Sydie Peck in the second half. Despite maintaining a reputation for attacking play at home—where they had scored in 19 of their previous 20 matches—the Blades struggled to test visiting goalkeeper Jose Sa. The home side managed just two touches in the opposition box during a subdued first half.
Tactical Adjustments and the Battle for Promotion Momentum
Both teams entered the match separated by a single point in the standings, harboring clear ambitions of securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
“It’s top-end Championship football when you’re playing teams like we have done today. They punish you if you just switch off for a moment. The players maybe didn’t get what they deserved from the game, but that’s how the Championship is at times, so we have to roll with that and handle it.”
Chris Wilder, Sheffield United manager, via Sky Sports
Table Standings and the Week Ahead
The result lifts Wolves to seventh place in the Championship standings with 11 points from six matches, sustaining a promotion pace that projects toward the upper echelons of the table over a 46-game season. Sheffield United drops to 14th place with nine points from seven games.
Wolves now turn their attention toward a demanding fixture schedule. The club heads directly into a high-stakes week that culminates with the upcoming Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion, where managing veteran legs like Jimenez’s will remain central to Peixoto’s tactical blueprint.
