The Mexico striker’s tame second-half effort wrong-footed the Leeds United goalkeeper after hitting Kalvin Phillips on the head to seal his side’s third league win of the season.
But in reality, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who were poor in the first half, were fortunate to leave Elland Road with all three points having been outplayed by Leeds in the first 45mins.
Leeds made a flying start. Patrick Bamford had an early header ruled out for offside and they had a penalty appeal turned down after Helder Costa went down under Joao Moutinho’s challenge.
Rodrigo also headed over and Costa dragged another effort wide after more slick build-up down the right, with Wolves pinned in their own half. Captain Luke Ayling and Rodrigo also squandered good chances in the first half which, had they found the net, could have changed the course of the night of Bielsa’s team.
Wolves woke up in the second half starting the period with a VAR ruled-out goal after the officials deemed Daniel Podence to be in an offside postion. Podence had another chance moments later forcing Meslier into a flying save and suddenly the game looked to be turning in Wolves favour.
It was talismanic striker Raul Jimenez who finally broke the deadlock on the 70th minute after he was allowed far to much time, cutting in from the right and deflecting a shot in off Phillips head which wrong footed Meslier, and the Leeds keeper could only watch the ball hit the opposite corner of his goal.
Pablo Hernandez had a chance to pull it back for Leeds but was denied by a Willy Boly block and even late substitue Raphinha, making his debut in place of Jack Harrison, but failed to carve out a clear opening and Wolves held on.
Leeds United 0 Wolves 1… and up to Sixth.
