Shropshire Star

Wembley-bound Wolves boss Nuno shares pride in reaching FA Cup semis

Nuno Espirito Santo is immensely proud to have given Wolves' die-hard fans what they have craved for so long by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

Published
Last updated

Wolves beat Manchester United 2-1 on an unforgettable night at a raucous Molineux, sealing a trip to Wembley in the final four of football's oldest competition.

Sensational strike duo Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota got the goals for Wolves, before Marcus Rashford's reply for the Red Devils proved too little too late.

And Nuno, who has spoken a lot about bringing back the glory days of the 1950s and 60s, said: "What pleases me more is when I walk down the stands, there are people who say they saw the 50s and the 60s – and they are still coming to the stadium!

"To give them back this joy, seeing our friends going out of the stadium with this smile, with a lot of beer, of course, it feels good!

"They did their part. The noise was amazing throughout the game, the atmosphere was fantastic.

"We did it together! It's so good."

It is the first time Wolves have reached the semis since 1998. They last won the competition in 1960.

"It means a lot, of course. The FA Cup is the oldest competition there is," said Nuno.

"We played well and achieved it with the amazing support of our fans, pushing us and believing in us. The noise was fantastic. We achieved it together.

"We did it, but we have to go and prepare ourselves for the next one."

Read More

As well as Jimenez and Jota, Ruben Neves shone with his silky passing play in the middle of the park.

Everyone in old gold played their part, and Nuno said: "In the first half, we defended very well. We were very organised and very compact.

"We allowed them to have possession of the ball but tried to recover in the right areas.

"We were well organised and the shape worked very well!

"We knew we had a chance! In the second half, we were much better with the ball, we had possession and created some problems for them with our movement.

"Then it was the talent, based on our organisation.

Wolves poddy

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

"We stayed in the game, and that's what pleases me."

The semi-final draw is due to take place tomorrow.

"It was a very good performance," added Nuno.

"A very good performance, with the exception of the goal we conceded.

"But in that moment we knew it was almost done.

"Losing focus can create problems, but it was good, very good."