Diogo Jota stole the plaudits after scoring a hat-trick in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 4-0 win over Espanyol. Nuno Espirito Santo saw his side put one foot in the last-16 of the Europa League on Thursday and will be delighted to see Jota picking up where he left off in the competition.
The 23-year-old scored three goals in Wolves’ 4-0 win over Besiktas (December 12, 2019) and has now achieved another treble two months later. He broke the deadlock in the 15th minute after converting a knock-down from close range – the only goal of the first half.
In the second half, Jota completed a brace after being fed through by Matt Doherty, eventually firing a near-post effort past Andres Prieto. His hat-trick was completed in the 81st minute and saw Jota bear down on goal from the left before coming central and firing a low effort from the edge of the box.
Jota was back to his best tonight back to back hat tricks in Europa League, however Neves stole MoTM for me superb effort in the middle of the park and oh that wonder goal again #WOLESP #UEL #wwfc 🐺
— Ally Corfield (@cork1973) February 20, 2020
Jota was insane tonight, I haven't been his biggest fan but tonight he had his lethal edge back and he was on fire. I hope he now takes this performance and uses it to propel him in the league and we see the jota we saw tonight in the league. #wwfc
— OwenR (@Owen_WWFC_) February 20, 2020
Jota was back to his best tonight back to back hat tricks in Europa League, however Neves stole MoTM for me superb effort in the middle of the park and oh that wonder goal again #WOLESP #UEL #wwfc 🐺
— Ally Corfield (@cork1973) February 20, 2020
These two tonight. Absolute class. And that Neves goal rivals his best. We've come a long way in a short time. #wwfc #WOLESP pic.twitter.com/dUCwDWU2kx
— Steve Marriott (@MazzaShizzle) February 21, 2020
What a bloody night! Jota and Neves, two magicians at work. Back-to-back hat-tricks in the Europa League for the former as well. Mental. #wwfc https://t.co/EuWCdTqpAP
— Joe Edwards (@JoeEdwards_Star) February 20, 2020
Against Espanyol, Jota played for 83 minutes, had 43 touches, won two aerial duels, had three shots which all amounted to goals, completed 79.3% of his 29 passes, whipped in one cross, made one interception and drew three fouls. The 23-year-old has now scored and created 14 goals in 11 Europa League games.