Express & Star

Raul Jimenez – one of Europe's best in 2019 – says Wolves can do something special

In-form hot-shot Raul Jimenez scored his ninth goal in 14 games to help Wolves reach the FA Cup semi-finals and declared: "We can do something special."

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The prolific Mexican striker broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with a smart finish on the turn as Wolves beat Manchester United 2-1 at Molineux.

Jimenez has been in fine form this calendar year.

Only eight players across Europe's top five leagues – including Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Kylian Mbappe and Sadio Mane – have scored more than Jimenez's nine goals in all competitions in 2019.

Jimenez has netted more than Cristiano Ronaldo, with eight, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann (all seven).

"I'm very proud of the team and where we are," a typically modest Jimenez said. "We are like a big family and that’s what we want to do, to make history here. To keep going and keep doing this type of things and now it’s alright.

"I feel very good, playing with a lot of confidence. We are family and you see it on the pitch. Together we can do special things and we are looking forward.

"At the beginning of the match I think they had too much possession, but then we started playing, we demonstrated that if we have the ball, we can make special things.

"We are very happy now to be in the semi-final of the FA Cup. I think we deserve it, we played a very, very good game. Now it’s time to celebrate and then we see.

"I think we did a very good match and keep fighting for our dream."

Molineux was a 31,000 sell-out on Saturday night.

Jimenez said it was all part of an amazing experience.

"Well, it’s amazing," he said of the noise. "The supporters were amazing today, as always. I know after my goal they, it was an amazing night and I’m very happy for the happiness for them. It’s an amazing experience, tonight it was unbelievable."

"Sometimes it seems like we play better against the big teams, because sometimes teams play against us as if we are a very good team, so it’s difficult for us. We know, playing like on Saturday and last weekend, we can do very good things against anyone.

"It’s a very special feeling. I played a couple of games against this class of teams in the Champions League with Benfica, but it’s amazing playing every week against the type of teams."