Wolves 2-0 Brentford: Diego Costa bag his first goal for Julen Lopetegui's side

Diego Costa ended his Wolves goal drought to help move Julen Lopetegui's side further away from the bottom three.

Substitute Hwang Hee-chan added to the veteran's first goal in his 19th appearance for Wolves, who now have a seven-point cushion between themselves and the bottom three.

Costa was signed as a free agent by previous manager Bruno Lage in September last year but it was Lopetegui - Costa's former international manager - who ended up benefiting.

The defeat was a third in a row for the Bees, whose hopes of a debut European adventure next season are fading.

Costa finally had something to celebrate as the net bulged in the 27th minute.

The former Spain striker, 34, began the move himself with a pass that freed Toti on the left and he was perfectly placed to receive the cross that followed.

Costa's first touch was a shocker though but fortune favoured the ex-Chelsea striker as Christian Norgaard's intervention succeeded only in playing the ball on to his boot for a shot that gave Bees goalkeeper David Raya little chance.

It was his first Premier League goal since May 21 2017 - 2155 days ago - and a first anywhere since he netted for previous club Atletico Mineiro against Corinthians in his native Brazil on November 16 2021.

Raya had already been busy, pulling off a superb early save to deny Mario Lemina and then making more straight-forward stops to foil Matheus Cunha and Costa.

Brentford passed up a clear opportunity to take the lead four minutes before Costa's goal however.

Bryan Mbeumo burst down the left and laid the ball for Ivan Toney, whose shot was partially blocked by a defender.

Josh Dasilva had anticipated however and the flag stayed down as he poked the ball over both Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa and the bar from close range.

Costa's moment of relief and joy was marked by a Molineux roar of appreciation and the veteran almost dispossessed Raya in his six-yard box soon after.

The man who swapped his native Brazil for Spain in 2013 began the second half with a spring in his step and forced Raya into another near-post save within four minutes.

Bees nerves were frayed and it showed when Raya appeared to clean Toti out just inside the box from a dreadful back-pass. Referee Paul Tierney said no penalty however - and VAR Stuart Attwell confirmed the call.

Attwell had been the referee in charge at Tottenham last week when Brighton were issued an apology by the PGMOL for the non-award of an obvious penalty.

Sa's dropping of a high ball caused consternation in the home ranks but Craig Dawson was able to boot away before Norgaard could pounce.

Victory was confirmed in the 69th minute when Matheus Nunes skipped past four challengers on his way from the right flank to the Bees box.

Ethan Pinnock stuck out a leg to cut out the pass that followed but he too ended up teeing up a Wolves man for an instant finish as Hwang pounced from unmissable range.

Toney saw a shot deflected on to the bar in stoppage-time; it was not his day.