Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered a third consecutive Premier League defeat on Matchday 37, falling 4-2 to an inspired Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park.
While the match held little consequence in the standings, it proved to be a test of character for Rayan Aït-Nouri and his teammates as they struggled to contain a revitalised Palace, fresh off their historic FA Cup triumph over Manchester City.
Despite having secured their place in the Premier League for next season, Wolves were keen to end their campaign on a positive note. However, Vitor Pereira’s squad was outclassed by a Palace side playing with the confidence of champions.
The hosts, still basking in the afterglow of their Cup victory, showcased their sharp attacking form once again, leaving Wolves with little opportunity to establish control.
Wolves entered the fixture hoping to rebound from back-to-back losses that followed a six-game winning streak, but they were unable to recover momentum.
From the opening minutes, Palace dictated the tempo and quickly exposed defensive gaps, capitalising on Wolves’ lack of cohesion at the back.
Rayan Aït-Nouri, 23, put in a respectable individual display in a challenging environment. Operating with intent, the Algerian left-back recorded an 83% pass completion rate, most of which were purposeful forward distributions.
He created five key passes, contributing to Wolves’ attacking efforts, and won six of his nine ground duels—numbers that underscore his determination in spite of the team’s overall struggles.
However, Aït-Nouri was not immune to the pressure exerted by Palace’s relentless pressing and pace on the wings.
He lost possession 18 times over the course of 90 minutes, highlighting both his involvement and the intensity of the contest. Still, his performance reflected commitment and composure amid a largely difficult evening for the visitors.
Palace’s attacking unit, buoyed by recent success, was clinical in front of goal. They outpaced and outmanoeuvred the Wolves defence repeatedly, scoring four goals that left little room for doubt about the outcome. Although Wolves managed to find the net twice, their efforts were not enough to mount a serious comeback.
The result leaves Wolves with one final opportunity to restore some pride when they host Brentford on the final day of the season.
While the club’s top-flight status is already secured, the desire to end on a high note will surely be at the forefront of the players’ minds—particularly for those like Aït-Nouri, whose futures may lie elsewhere come the summer transfer window.
As the season nears its end, speculation continues to swirl around Aït-Nouri, who remains a player of interest for several clubs.
But for now, his focus remains on delivering a strong finish for the side that has shaped much of his development in English football.
Wolves will look to regroup quickly ahead of their season finale at Molineux, where fans will be hoping to see a response from their side—one that reflects the fighting spirit they showed earlier in the campaign.
