Shropshire Star

Wolves star Ruben Neves loving Diogo Jota link-up

Ruben Neves believes his understanding with Diogo Jota can yield more goals for Wolves.

Published
Jota scored Wolves' first top-flight hat-trick for 42 years (© AMA SPORTS PHOTO AGENCY)

Jota was Wolves' hat-trick hero as Nuno Espirito Santo's team beat Leicester 4-3 at the weekend.

Neves and Jota starred for Wolves during their Championship title-winning success last season but hadn't hit those heights in the Premier League.

However an upturn in form in recent weeks has changed all that.

And Neves, who set up Jota's second goal and played a key role in his third with an exquisite pass, said: "Diogo he is an unbelievable player.

"He showed this last season as well. He had an injury but came back and worked hard and against Leicester he did a massive game. We are really happy for him.

"The hat-trick is very good for him and very good for the team. We need this and we are very happy for him. He is a very talented player.

"I hope (he can score more in 2019), everyone wants to score and everyone wants to help the team.

"I will try (to help him score), that is my job. It is a part of my job, I always try to do my best.

"We have played together for three years, I know him very well and I am really for happy for him.

"I know already the movements that he wants to do and likes to do. It makes things easier for us.

"He knows as well how I play and how I see the game so he expects the balls."

Jota's winner came in the final seconds of stoppage time.

It was a thriller at Molineux – but it wasn't quite Neves' favourite game for Wolves.

"The most important for me was the Cardiff game last season. Not because I scored! But it left us closer to the Championship.

"Saturday was a great game and very enjoyable for us.

"Fortunately we go away with the three points (but) we can't let them draw the game when we were 2-0 up.

"I think it was a great football game. The way we react after the draw was perfect – that is why we won.

"We have to improve and rest now for the next one.

"That is our goal; to improve game to game."