Wolves 1 Middlesbrough 0 – player ratings

John Ruddy

A very solid performance capped off when he twice denied danger-man Britt Assombalonga in the second half. There may have been a touch of controversy with Boro screaming for handball when he came out to block the ball outside his box when Assombalonga was in, but he showed the alertness and presence of mind to read the danger. And his point blank save from Assombalonga's close-range shot a few minutes later was excellent. Also put Braithwaite off with a starfish jump when the Danish international should have buried a free header. 8/10

Roderick Miranda

A few awkward moments in possession and he gave the ball away too many times in the first half. His booking was inevitable. A nervy debut but he improved as the game went on. 6/10

Conor Coady

Begins the season as captain and the centrepiece of a new-look back three. Sniffed out danger and generally led by example with an unruffled performance. 7/10

Willy Boly

A cult hero in the making. Must be one of the strongest players in the division and he used that strength to great effect, especially when shepherding a Boro player backwards for about 30 yards in the opposition half. Made a couple of silly errors late on as Boro began to pile on the pressure. But looks to have the attributes to be a huge asset to Wolves this season. 6/10

Matt Doherty

Saw plenty of the ball and put in a great shift trudging up and down that right flank. It's a role that demands a lot from Doherty but he has the attitude and the application to make it work. He'll need to have more of an impact in the opposition half than he did here, but defensively he was sound against the dangerous George Friend who often pegged him back. 6/10

Ruben Neves

He'll certainly know what the Championship is all about now. Up against two of the league's best in Jonny Howson and Adam Clayton but the manner in which Neves and his midfield partner handled them had a huge bearing on the scoreline. Control is what Nuno wants and Neves will give that. One sublime crossfield rake to Doherty had Molineux collectively purring. Edged towards the box a few times too to get a couple of shots away. 7/10

Romain Saiss

Won the aforementioned midfield battle and was the game's standout player. Broke up play tenaciously and sprayed it around with confidence, especially in the first half. This was like the Saiss who announced himself with a masterclass on his debut at Newcastle last season. Inconsistency was his problem thereafter and his target now is to reproduce this level week after week. A great start to the season (despite somehow contriving to send a shot 40 yards in the opposite direction to the goal). 8/10

Barry Douglas

Like Doherty he saw a lot of the ball and also used it wisely and linked well with Jota. Looks to be a real attacking threat and his deliveries from the left are on the money. Already looks a bargain at £1m. 7/10

Bright Enobakhare

A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Time and again he found himself in promising positions in and around the box but made the wrong decision. This lad is so damn talented but he's not yet channelling it correctly. Lost count of the amount of times Doherty had made an overlapping unmarked run and he ignored him. Stunning turn and run early in the second half when he forced a save from Randolph, and there were a few other 'wow' moments too. But that end product still eludes him. 7/10

Leo Bonatini

A fairytale debut for the 23-year-old, who had only jetted over from Saudi Arabia a few days before the game. The move to Wolves represents a huge opportunity for Bonatini to make a name for himself – and this was a great start. Not only with his well-taken clinical finish, but also his hold-up and link-up play, which showed intelligence. Promising. 7/10

Diogo Jota

Probably the most muted of the new signings. Embarked on one slalom run which ended when he was unceremoniously hacked to the floor. Sometimes played a simple pass when you wanted to see him run at defenders. Plenty more to come from this guy, though. 6/10

Substitutes

Nouha Dicko (for Bonatini, 57)

Wolves rarely threatened in the past half an hour and Dicko didn't really get in the game, with Boro piling on the pressure for the past 20 minutes and Wolves getting deeper and deeper. 5/10

David Edwards (for Enobakhare, 78)

Brought on to help shore things up and see the game out. 6/10

Jordan Graham (for Jota, 84)

Helped release pressure on a couple of occasions. N/A

Subs not used: Norris, Batth, Bennett, Ronan.