Cunha lashed home after an end-to-end first 36 minutes at Vitality Stadium, having been allowed to control Marshall Munetsi's cross inside a crowded penalty area.

The Brazilian's strike came just five minutes after Bournemouth's Illia Zabarnyi was sent off after a video assistant referee review, after the Ukrainian caught Rayan Ait-Nouri high on his calf with a reckless sliding challenge.

Wolves had opportunities to double their lead after the break, with Munetsi somehow turning wide from close range before Pedro Lima forced an excellent save from Kepa Arrizabalaga.

However, Vitor Pereira’s team was not made to pay for its profligacy, as it took advantage of results elsewhere going in its favour.

With Ipswich Town losing 4-1 to Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves' victory takes them five points clear of the Tractor Boys and Leicester City, which was thrashed 4-0 by Brentford.

Bournemouth remains fifth on the table, but could drop as low as seventh by the end of the weekend's fixtures.