Matheus Cunha's stellar performance led Wolves to a decisive 2-0 victory over Blackburn in the FA Cup clash on Sunday, 9th February 2025. The match, held at 3:00 pm, saw Wolves securing their place in the fifth round of the prestigious tournament. Cunha, who scored his 12th goal of the season, was instrumental in ensuring Wolves' win despite the swirling uncertainties surrounding Blackburn's management.
Blackburn entered the game under a cloud of uncertainty regarding the future of their boss, John Eustace. Derby County had made an official approach to speak to Eustace after sacking their manager, Paul Warne, on Friday. This development left Blackburn in a state of flux, potentially impacting their performance on the field.
"If that's happened during the game (an official approach) I can't say much about that. I'll have to chat with the owners and see what's happened." – John Eustace
The match began with Blackburn's defensive errors almost gifting Wolves an early lead. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's shot was expertly saved by Blackburn's goalkeeper, Toth, and Cunha's subsequent free-kick was also thwarted. However, Wolves continued to press forward, with both Cunha and Marshall Munetsi narrowly missing opportunities to extend their lead.
Blackburn had their chances as well, notably when Kargbo blasted a shot into the Darwen End, squandering a significant opportunity to level the scoreline. As the match progressed, Wolves capitalized on their momentum, scoring twice in quick succession. Gomes' shot found its way under Toth's body, crossing the line to open the scoring. Moments later, Cunha struck again, firing a shot past Toth to double Wolves' lead.
Cunha, who had been heavily linked with a move away from Molineux in January—amidst interest from Arsenal and Aston Villa—committed his future to Wolves by signing a new contract until 2029. His decision to stay has been hailed as a significant boost for the team.
"You can talk about all the signings they made but him signing a new contract was the best one." – Clinton Morrison
Despite Cunha's commitment to Wolves, speculation about his future remains rife. Sky Sports' Clinton Morrison expressed his doubts about Cunha staying at Wolves beyond this season, citing his talent and ambitions to play in the Champions League and win trophies.
"If you ask me if he'd be there next season, I'd say no chance. That is no disrespect to Wolves but he can go and play anywhere. He will want to play in the Champions League and to win trophies. He won't be there come next season, that's for sure." – Clinton Morrison
Wolves' victory not only marked Cunha's 12th goal of the season but also underscored his pivotal role in the team's success. As Wolves advance to the FA Cup fifth round, they will look to maintain their form with Cunha leading their attack.
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