Armstrong Breaks the Deadlock
Perfect start for the new man in charge. Cesar Peixoto’s first game as Wolves head coach couldn’t have gone much better, with three first-half goals seeing off League Two side Port Vale comfortably in the Carabao Cup first round at Molineux. Port Vale actually started the brighter of the two, forcing Dan Bentley into an early save to deny George Hall, but the underdog spirit didn’t last long once Wolves settled.
The opener came in the 14th minute, and it was built off a defensive mix-up more than anything flashy — Adam Armstrong pounced on a half-cleared cross from Mateus Mané and steered it home from close range. It settled the home side instantly. Armstrong himself nearly doubled the lead soon after, curling an effort just wide, but the second goal arrived through a different route entirely — a well-worked corner routine saw Yerson Mosquera head the ball across for André, who nodded home from close range to make it 2-0.
Lopez Rounds It Off Before the Break
Wolves weren’t finished either. Right on the stroke of halftime, Rodrigo Gomes picked out Fer López in the box, and the Spaniard finished with a clean left-footed strike into the bottom corner — his first goal for the club since returning from a loan spell back at former side Celta Vigo. It capped a dominant opening 45 minutes that put the tie to bed well before half-time, and Wolves spent the second half managing the game out with a series of substitutions, bringing on Tommy Doyle, Nasser Djiga, Toti Gomes and Raúl Jiménez among others.
Port Vale had their own moment to make things interesting when they were awarded a penalty in the second half, but on-loan forward Mo Faal saw his effort go begging, and the visitors never really threatened a way back into the game from there. New boss Jon Brady handed debuts to four players in the process, including goalkeeper Jackson Smith and defender Lewis Montsma, as the League Two side used the tie to blood some fresh faces of their own.
What It Means Next
A genuinely ideal start for Peixoto, who takes charge of a Wolves side aiming for an immediate return to the Premier League after last season’s relegation. Fer López in particular stood out, looking like a rejuvenated player after a difficult first half-season at the club before his loan move, picking out several sharp passes through midfield across the ninety. Wolves now turn their full attention to the Championship season opener against Blackburn Rovers next Friday. For Port Vale, freshly relegated to League Two themselves, it’s back to league business as they continue adjusting to life under Brady.
Match Summary
Wolves 3-0 Port Vale Carabao Cup, First Round — Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, England Friday, 7 August 2026 Referee: D. Webb
Goals: 14′ Adam Armstrong (Wolves) 1-0 34′ André (Wolves) 2-0 (assist: Yerson Mosquera) 43′ Fer López (Wolves) 3-0 (assist: Rodrigo Gomes)
Missed penalty: Mo Faal (Port Vale), second half
Result: Wolves win 3-0 to progress in the Carabao Cup, with Cesar Peixoto picking up a winning start as head coach.
For live cup scores and match coverage, visit fawanews. Full results and fixtures at the official Wolverhampton Wanderers website.
