It was a night Molineux will never forget.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, in the last-32 of the Europa League, slaughtered Espanyol to all but secure passage to the next round.

Diogo Jota grabbed the headlines with an outstanding hat-trick, while Ruben Neves’ fourth goal of the season wasn’t too bad either.

Barring any miracles in Barcelona next week, Wolves will be involved in the last-16 draw on February 28.

Diogo Jota proves his point

Incredibly, Jota now has nine goals and five assists in 11 Europa League games this season after another hat-trick.

The forward’s place has come under threat in recent weeks thanks to the excellent form of his compatriot Pedro Neto.

But Nuno Espirito Santo’s faith in Jota’s talent is unwavering and when he’s fit he usually starts.

This was by no means the complete performance, Jota produced rusty touches in a frustrating first half - but he was at his devastating best after half-time.

Wolves have been waiting for Jota - who tends to go on scoring sprees once he’s broken his duck - to start firing on all cylinders, so hopefully this marvelous hat-trick will be the trigger.

Nuno’s adjustment

Nuno and Wolves’ players weren’t entirely pleased with the first half, with Espanyol having way too much of the ball for their liking.

The decision to bring on Leander Dendoncker and sacrifice star man Adama Traore proved to be a stroke of genius. Jota shifted inside, where he feels more comfortable alongside Raul Jimenez, and ran riot.

A 3-5-2 without Traore isn’t going to be a regular solution but last night’s switch offered watchers a timely reminder that Wolves are far from a one man wrecking ball.

The Boly effect

Wolves were forced to play 21 games without star defender Willy Boly due to injury. Most teams would have capitulated, but Wolves found ways to survive.

Clean sheets and good defensive performances were in short supply during that period though with Wolves managing just four shut-outs, and only one of those came in the Premier League.

Wolves conceded 26 goals in those 21 fixtures and would have been more severely punished had it not been for outstanding goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

Boly’s return to the starting XI alongside Conor Coady and the constantly improving Romain Saiss has coincided with three consecutive clean sheets.

Remarkably, Wolves have conceded just two goals in Boly’s last eight appearances in old gold. He is world class.

Perfect prep for Spurs

Wolves have a huge game in the Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur coming up.

Norwich City visit Molineux first but next weekend’s trip to north London will be pivotal in the race for the top four.

Last night’s emphatic first leg victory has given Nuno the chance to rest players in Barcelona next week. Espanyol’s manager Abelardo Fernández admitted after the first leg that his side are prioritising La Liga survival.

Next week’s second leg could therefore see two weakened teams. And while miraculous comebacks can happen in this sport, Espanyol overturning their first leg deficit would be the shock of the century.

It looks like a very good opportunity for Nuno to rotate his squad and give the likes of Max Kilman, Bruno Jordao, Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence and Leonardo Campana some game time.

That would mean Wolves’ first choice XI is fresh for a Premier League game which can now take precedence.

A glimpse of Fosun’s dream

Away from the magnificent spectacle on the field, there was lots to ponder off it.

China international Wu Lei, who was of interest to Wolves a couple of years ago, started the match for Espanyol.

As a result Molineux’s press box included a large group of Chinese journalists who follow Lei’s career in Europe.

Fosun boss Guo Guangchang- who was in attendance at Molineux - and his business partners are aware of the global interest a Chinese star in the Premier League would provoke. That’s why they’ve been so aggressive in securing players of Chinese heritage at academy level.

The problem Wolves face is that players with Chinese passports struggle to secure work permits to play in the Premier League.

But Lei’s monstrous appeal proves Fosun’s Chinese dream is one worth persevering with.