Lopez Shines in Wolves' 3-1 Victory Over Preston

Lopez’s Wolves revival gathered pace as he struck twice in a sharp, clinical win that underlined just how far he has come since last season’s struggles.

Shipped back on loan to his former club at the end of the last campaign, the forward has returned a different animal. He had already opened his account in old gold in the League Cup earlier this month; here, he looked like a man determined to make up for lost time.

His first major contribution was a moment of pure acceleration and intent. Picking up the ball with Preston defender Liam Lindsay for company, Lopez simply burned past him, surging all the way into the box. One touch to steady himself, then a thumping finish past Daniel Iversen. Ruthless. Wolves in front.

The visitors almost killed the contest off within minutes. Raul Jimenez, back for a second spell at the club and eager to write a fresh chapter, darted across the near post and flicked goalwards from close range. The idea was right, the execution just off, the ball skimming agonisingly wide.

That miss gave the hosts a lifeline and they finally stirred. A spell of pressure forced Wolves back, and Callum Lang thought he had dragged his side level when his effort squirmed towards goal. Marshall Munetsi had read it, though, dropping back to nod the ball off the line and preserve the lead.

Wolves still carried a threat. Just before the break, Rodrigo Gomes almost twisted the knife, drilling a low effort from the edge of the box that looked destined for the corner. Iversen flung himself full length and got the slightest of touches to turn it away. A fingertip that kept Preston alive at half-time.

The match felt finely poised as both managers turned to their benches after the interval. The next goal would decide the mood of the night.

It went Wolves’ way.

On 71 minutes, substitute Armstrong stepped into the spotlight. Linking neatly with Jimenez in a sharp one-two on the edge of the area, he burst through the defensive line and coolly slotted home to double the advantage. A simple move, devastatingly executed.

The pressure finally told again late on, and it was Lopez who twisted the knife. Another flowing Wolves attack ended with the forward hovering on the edge of the box, the ball breaking kindly into his path. One swing of his boot, another crisp finish, and his second of the evening made it 3-0 with eight minutes to play.

Preston refused to fold completely. Thompson produced a composed finish of his own to pull one back and deny Wolves a clean sheet, but by then the contest was decided.

For Lopez, once sent away and now spearheading victories, nights like this hint at a very different season ahead.