Wolves are back in the Championship. It has been eight years. Their return came with all the drama Molineux knows how to produce: a home side that went behind, a ground that stayed with them, and a stoppage-time penalty that felt like two points rather than one.
The final score at Molineux on Friday night: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Blackburn Rovers. Raúl Jiménez hit the spot-kick in the 90th-plus-three to cancel out Andri Gudjohnsen’s second-half effort and deny Blackburn a win their second-half performance probably deserved.
How It Went
Wolves took the lead on 17 minutes. Marshall Munetsi finished after Fer Lopez slid him in with a precise through ball. For the home crowd, it felt like an early signal from a side with resources and intent.
Blackburn levelled before half-time. Sean McLoughlin headed from a Morishita cross and found the net on 27 minutes. It was a good goal from a Blackburn side that came to compete rather than sit in.
The second half belonged to the visitors. Gudjohnsen put them ahead on 48 minutes and Blackburn held that lead with structure and confidence. Wolves pushed but found the Blackburn defence organised. For a long stretch it looked like a Rovers win.
Then came Jiménez. A penalty in the 90th minute of stoppage time. Tucked away. Molineux erupted. A point snatched, a draw that felt like more.
What It Means
This is Matchday 1. One result, one point each, and the Championship table will take its real shape after the full opening weekend. Eight fixtures follow today (Saturday) and the rest of the programme continues into Sunday.
For Wolves, the point carries weight beyond the arithmetic. They are a Premier League club by every measure of squad cost and ambition, and they know what this league requires: doing it every week, not just when the quality difference should tell. Going behind on opening night and finding an answer in stoppage time is a resilience marker.
For Blackburn, a point from Molineux is a solid opening. They were the better side for large portions of the second half, led, and held the lead until the final seconds. There is structure and threat here. The Championship always has more depth than it gets credit for.
Looking Ahead
The full Matchday 1 programme continues today and over the weekend. Both clubs will have a clearer sense of their early position once Saturday’s eight games complete. Wolves’ next fixture and Blackburn’s next fixture will be confirmed in the day-two Championship schedule.
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