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Raul Jimenez scored his fifth goal of the season to put Wolves ahead

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said his side must show "big character" after a sixth defeat in seven games saw opponents Wolves climb above them into seventh.

Raul Jimenez got his fifth goal of the season for the opener, turning in Diogo Jota's deflected shot after a bad Charlie Daniels error.

It was a gift of a goal that came against the run of play and from the first half's only attempt on target before Jefferson Lerma hit a tame shot in added time.

Jota picked up an injury and was replaced at the break by Helder Costa, who should have doubled Wolves' lead but fired rashly wide with only Asmir Begovic to beat.

Bournemouth top scorer Callum Wilson returned from injury shortly after as a substitute, but it was Junior Stanislas who almost found the equaliser with a free-kick that rattled Rui Patricio's crossbar.

In driving rain, Howe's side dominated possession with much of the match played in Wolves' half, but they failed to find a way through a solid defence.

And they were punished on the break as they threw everything forward in injury time, with substitute Ivan Cavaleiro finishing coolly in an easy one-on-one set up by Costa's pass on the halfway line.

"A lot of our build-up play was very good, but the killer instinct wasn't. We didn't create many real clear-cut chances. We've got to be very strong, show big character and come through this bad form," Howe told BBC Sport.

"Confidence is such a delicate thing. You can't overestimate the importance of losing key individuals to injury but that's no excuse, that's what you have a squad for.

"We dominated the ball today and made two big mistakes for the goals. Wolves are very good at soaking pressure and hitting on the counter. It was a frustrating afternoon."

Wolves are now one point behind sixth-placed Manchester United, who play away to Liverpool on Sunday, while Bournemouth slip to 11th.

Wolves' tight defence impresses again

'The only secret is work' - Nuno 'proud' of Wolves

In their previous top flight season in 2011-12, Wolves finished on 25 points and were relegated as the bottom side.

They have already matched that points total thanks to Saturday's win and victories against Chelsea at home and Newcastle away. It is the first time Wolves have won three in a row in the top flight since 1980.

Jota scored two goals in those previous two wins and he played a big role in the opener at Molineux on Saturday.

From a certain angle he looked to have cleverly disguised a shot to pick out Jimenez to his right, but in fact it was a deflected effort that clipped Steve Cook's heels and fell favourably to the Mexico striker for an easy finish.

However, Jota was taken off at the break after emerging injured from a collision with Cook when he was clear on goal. The referee decided Cook's challenge was fair, although Jota appeared to land awkwardly.

Perhaps if the 22-year-old Portuguese winger had not been forced off, Wolves would have threatened more after the break. Instead, Nuno Espirito Santo's side once more relied on their impressively solid defence before sealing the points with Cavaleiro's simple 94th-minute winner.

In terms of expected goals, the value Opta uses to judge the quality of chances a defence concedes, only Liverpool and Manchester City have a better record than Wolves so far this season.

Daniels' mistake defines match

Howe bemoans 'frustrating afternoon'

Bournemouth went into this game with just one win from their past six matches.

The run began in November with a home defeat by Manchester United which Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho described as "lucky". The Cherries then enjoyed plenty of good fortune themselves in their only win during this sorry recent run - 2-1 at home to Huddersfield.

But at Molineux, they only had themselves to blame.

Howe may be wondering how the afternoon might have ended had Stanislas' curled free-kick found the net instead of the top of Wolves' crossbar. But the match-defining moment was Daniels' error.

From a Bournemouth throw-in in their own half, he half-volleyed a pass across the pitch straight to Jota, who took full advantage by running on goal and forcing Jimenez's opener.

And for all their slick passing in front of Wolves' goal, quality was always missing at the crucial moment. Stanislas fired rashly over the bar when well placed in the box, and Joshua King and Wilson both had promising chances closed down.

The only efforts on target for the away side were a tame Cook header and two speculative long-range Jefferson Lerma shots.

Man of the match - Raul Jimenez (Wolves)

The Mexico striker, always available for his side to help protect possession, was in the right place at the right time for his goal

'I'm very proud' - what the managers said

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo:

"In this weather, with the wind, cold and rain and against Bournemouth - I'm very proud. We did a fantastic job.

"Before we were in a bad moment. Now we're in a good moment. It's important to realise why. The boys' character, the way they commit to the work on a daily basis, well done to them.

"It was hard for every player on the pitch. Both teams matched each other.

"The main thing today was staying compact and robust. I'm very proud of the work we do every day and the character the boys showed."

Finally a first-half goal - the stats

This was Wolves' first victory against Bournemouth in all competitions since December 1989, having failed to win any of their previous five meetings (D2 L3).

Since keeping three consecutive clean sheets in October, Bournemouth have conceded in each of their past seven Premier League games (16 goals in total).

Jimenez's opener for Wolves was their first goal scored during the first half of a Premier League game at Molineux since Ruben Neves netted against Everton on the opening day.

All five of Jimenez's Premier League goals for Wolves this season have been scored at Molineux.

Jota has been directly involved in three goals in his past three Premier League appearances for Wolves (two goals, one assist) having failed to score or assist in his previous 13 such games this season.

What's next?

Wolves host Liverpool in the league on Friday, kick-off 20:00 GMT.

Bournemouth travel to Chelsea in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, kick-off 19:45, before welcoming Brighton in the league on Saturday at 15:00.