2017-18 Season - November 2017 - February 2018
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34 Fulham FC 2 R Sessegnon (38'), Mitrovic (71') Wolves 0
Fulham 2 R Sessegnon (38'), Mitrovic (71') Wolves 0
HT 1-0
240 Wolves fans cam eon Mark Griffiths boat trip but it was FFC who cruised home (pic Sean Christopher) 
Fulham consolidated their place in the Championship play-off places with a dominant victory over leaders Wolves.
The hosts, unbeaten in the league in 2018, began well and led when winger Ryan Sessegnon, 17, tapped in after Aleksandar Mitrovic's shot was parried. Ivan Cavaleiro twice tested Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli but Mitrovic fired in a low second from 20 yards. Stefan Johansen almost curled in a third before Diogo Jota blazed over Wolves' best chance from close range. Nuno Espirito Santo's side remain nine points clear of second-placed Cardiff, who play on Sunday, though their buffer to third has been cut to 10 points following Aston Villa's win at Sheffield Wednesday. The Cottagers are unbeaten in 12 games and have now won eight in a row at Craven Cottage, lifting them to within five points of an automatic promotion spot. England Under-19 international Sessegnon has 13 goals this season and eight since the turn of the year, while on-loan Newcastle striker Mitrovic has scored in consecutive games, having scored his first for the club in midweek. Wolves, without suspended midfielder Ruben Neves, managed just two shots on target and have dropped 12 points in their past eight games in all competitions, winning just three of those contests. In contrast, Slavisa Jokanovic's side have won four consecutive league games without conceding at Craven Cottage for the first time since 1999.
Fulham
1Bettinelli 2Fredericks 26Kalas 13Ream 21TargettBooked at 48mins 10Cairney sub for Odoiat 90+2' 6McDonald 8Johansen 11Ayité sub for Ojoat 64' 32Mitrovic 3R Sessegnon Substitutes 4Odoi 9Fonte 16Norwood 19Ojo 22Christie 27Button 47Kamara
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15BolyBooked at 75mins 2Doherty 27Saiss sub for Afobeat 77' 4N'Diaye sub for Gibbs-White at 63' 3DouglasBooked at 69mins 17Costa sub for Jotaat 63' 33Bonatini 7Cavaleiro Substitutes 6Batth 18Jota 19Afobe 24Gibbs-White 25Miranda 30Hause 31Norris
Referee: Peter Bankes Attendance: 23,510 WW 4650 ++
Fulham Wolves
Possession 53% 47%
Shots 14 12
Shots on Target 6 2
Corners 3 0
Fouls 10 11
Pam, Steve and Rob G at Fulham on Sky
Match ends, Fulham 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Full Time
90'+4' Second Half ends, Fulham 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. 90'+3' Attempt missed. Matt Targett (FFC) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 90'+2' Sub, (FFC) Denis Odoi replaces Tom Cairney. 90' Attempt missed. Aleksandar Mitrovic (FFC) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ryan Sessegnon. 86' Offside, (WW) Willy Boly tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 85' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Benik Afobe. 85' Attempt blocked. Benik Afobe (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Conor Coady with a through ball. 84' Attempt blocked. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Diogo Jota with a cross. 79' Foul by Aleksandar Mitrovic (FFC). 79' John Ruddy (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 78' Sheyi Ojo (FFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 78' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 78' Offside, (WW) John Ruddy tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 77' , (WW) Benik Afobe replaces Romain Saiss. Booking 75' Willy Boly (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 75' Stefan Johansen (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 75' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 74' Foul by Sheyi Ojo (FFC). 74' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 74' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 73' Delay in match Romain Saiss (WW) because of an injury. 72' Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (FFC) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Tom Cairney. Goal! 71' Goal! Fulham 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Aleksandar Mitrovic (FFC) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stefan Johansen. Booking 69' Barry Douglas (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 68' Ryan Fredericks (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 68' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 67' Offside(FFC) Kevin McDonald tries a through ball, but Aleksandar Mitrovic is caught offside. 65' Offside, (WW) Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Diogo Jota is caught offside. 64' Sub, (FFC) Sheyi Ojo replaces Floyd Ayité. 63' , (WW) Morgan Gibbs-White replaces Alfred N'Diaye. 63' , (WW) Diogo Jota replaces Hélder Costa. 63' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Willy Boly. 57' Stefan Johansen (FFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 57' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 57' Stefan Johansen (FFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 53' Floyd Ayité (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 53' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 50' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. 50' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 49' Floyd Ayité (FFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 49' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 48' Attempt blocked. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Doherty. Booking 48' Matt Targett (FFC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 48' Foul by Matt Targett (FFC). 48' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 47' Offside, (WW) Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Matt Doherty is caught offside. Second Half
Second Half begins Fulham 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Half TimeHalf Time
Fulham Wolves
Possession 54% 46%
Shots 10 7
Shots on Target 5 2
Corners 3 0
Fouls 8 8
45'+3' First Half ends, Fulham 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
45'+2' Tim Ream (FFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45'+2' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 45'+2' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 45'+1' Delay in match Stefan Johansen (FFC) because of an injury. 45' Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (FFC) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right from a direct free kick. 44' Ryan Fredericks (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 44' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 42' Attempt saved. Matt Targett (FFC) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Stefan Johansen. 42' Corner(FFC) Conceded by Léo Bonatini. 41' Corner(FFC) Conceded by Barry Douglas. 40' Offside, (WW) Ivan Cavaleiro tries a through ball, but Matt Doherty is caught offside. 40' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. assisted by Hélder Costa. Goal! 38' Goal! Fulham 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Ryan Sessegnon (FFC) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. 38' Attempt saved. Aleksandar Mitrovic (FFC) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stefan Johansen. 36' Foul by Tom Cairney (FFC). 36' Alfred N'Diaye (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 34' Foul by Kevin McDonald (FFC). 34' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 33' Offside, (WW) Ryan Bennett tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside. 32' Foul by Tomas Kalas (FFC). 32' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 29' Foul by Stefan Johansen (FFC). 29' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 28' Foul by Tom Cairney (FFC). 28' Alfred N'Diaye (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 27' Attempt saved. Matt Targett (FFC) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Floyd Ayité. 25' Attempt missed. Alfred N'Diaye (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Conor Coady. 22' Offside, (WW) Hélder Costa tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside. 22' Attempt blocked. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 19' Offside, (WW) Alfred N'Diaye tries a through ball, but Barry Douglas is caught offside. 19' Tom Cairney (FFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 19' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 18' Floyd Ayité (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 18' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 17' Aleksandar Mitrovic (FFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 17' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 15' Attempt missed. Floyd Ayité (FFC) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right. 13' Corner(FFC) Conceded by Conor Coady. 13' Attempt blocked. Aleksandar Mitrovic (FFC) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. 13' Attempt blocked. Tom Cairney (FFC) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Stefan Johansen. 10' Foul by Ryan Sessegnon (FFC). 10' Matt Doherty (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 9' Attempt blocked. Ryan Sessegnon (FFC) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Stefan Johansen. 4' Attempt blocked. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. 1' Foul by Ryan Fredericks (FFC). 1' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Kick Off First Half begins.
Fulham will assess left-back Matt Targett, who went off injured during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Bristol City. Fellow loanee Sheyi Ojo could come back into the squad if Targett is absent, while boss Slavisa Jokanovic has no other injury worries. Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves starts a two-game ban after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season in the midweek 2-2 draw against Norwich City. Morocco's Romain Saiss is likely to come in for the Championship leaders.
prediction Home win 34% Draw 28% Away win 38%
Match facts
Since losing 5-0 at Fulham in the Premier League in March 2012, Wolves have only conceded one goal in four visits to Craven Cottage.
Fulham have won seven successive home league games, keeping clean sheets in each of the last three - they last won four consecutive league games without conceding at Craven Cottage in April 1999.
Wolves have dropped nine points in their last seven league games, more than in their previous 16 (in which they dropped seven points).
Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon has scored 17 league goals since August 2016, eight more than any other current teenager in the English top four tiers. After scoring just once in his first 20 games this season, Wolves midfielder Alfred N'Diaye has now scored in two of his last three Championship appearances.
To Go
46 Sunderland Wolves
45 Wolves Sheff Weds
44 Bolton W Wolves
43 Wolves Birmingham
42 Wolves Derby Cty
41 Cardiff City Wolves
40 Wolves Hull City
39 Middlesbrough Wolves
38 Wolves Burton Albion
37 Aston Villa Wolves
36 Leeds Utd Wolves
33 Wolves 2 Lewis (14' og), N'Diaye (25') Norwich CIty Zimmermann (27'), Oliveira (90'+3)
HT 2-1
Wolves had victory snatched from them with the last kick of the game at Molineux as Nelson Oliveira's long-range right-foot shot earned Norwich City a dramatic point. The hosts led 2-0 inside 25 minutes thanks to a Jamal Lewis own goal and an Alfred N'Diaye header. Christoph Zimmerman's 27th-minute header set up a tense second half. And, when Wolves looked to have seen it through, substitute Oliveira let fly from 30 yards and it sneaked in. That cut Wolves' lead over second-placed Cardiff to nine points, but they still have a 13-point advantage over Aston Villa. To add to the home frustration, Wolves have now lost key playmaker Ruben Neves to a two-game ban after picking up his 10th booking. It was the second time in four days that the Canaries had popped up with a point-saving last minute equaliser, after their derby draw with Ipswich on Sunday. Nerves at Molineux? It was a fun-packed first 27 minutes as Wolves, unchanged for the fifth successive game, took a two goal lead only to have it halved by the break. Wolves led on 14 minutes when Neves and Jota cleverly opened up the Norwich defence, before goal line technology adjudged that the ball had crossed the line off visiting midfielder Lewis. N'Diaye's header from another superb in-swinging Barry Douglas corner doubled the lead - the left back's 10th assist of the season, matching team-mate Ivan Cavaleiro as the Championship's best. But, within two minutes, Zimmerman had headed in James Maddison's free kick. Wolves had chances after the break, without looking at their most fluent. Cavaleiro was just wide after Matt Doherty's gallop down the right, then Wolves seemed sure to score when Helder Costa got clear after Zimmerman's slip, but the covering Mario Vrancic defied a handball shout to somehow clear. With only a one-goal cushion, Wolves were always vulnerable against a more than useful Canaries outfit - and the men in purple contrived an imperial finish. Wolves looked to have escaped when, in injury time, the artful Maddison cut in and had his shot blocked. But, with a desperate final play of the match, Oliveira tried his luck and his dipping right-foot shot crept in at John Ruddy's left corner.
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 8NevesBooked at 36mins 4N'DiayeBooked at 52mins sub for Gibbs-Whiteat 69' 3Douglas
17Costa sub for Saissat 45' 18JotaBooked at 75mins 7Cavaleiro sub for Afobeat 60' Substitutes 6Batth 19Afobe 24Gibbs-White
25Miranda 27Saiss 31Norris 33Bonatini
Norwich
1Gunn 31Hanley 6Zimmermann 15Klose 4Reed 10Leitner 8Vrancic sub for Hernándezat 83' 26Lewis 23Maddison 12Watkins sub for Murphyat 83' 32Srbeny sub for Oliveiraat 68' Substitutes 3Husband 9Oliveira 11Murphy 20Raggett 25Hernández 27Tettey 33McGovern
Referee: James Linington Attendance: 29,100 (650 Budgies)
Wolves Norwich
Possession 44% 56%
Shots 10 8
Shots on Target 3 5
Corners 3 4
Fouls 17 10
Match ends, (WW) 2, Norwich City 2.
Full Time 90'+4'
Second Half ends, (WW) 2, Norwich City 2.
Goal! 90'+3' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Norwich City 2. Nélson Oliveira (budgies) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Harrison Reed. 90'+2' Corner, (budgies) Conceded by Willy Boly. 90'+1' Corner, (budgies) Conceded by Ryan Bennett. 89' Attempt missed. James Maddison (budgies) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Harrison Reed. 88' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota , (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Morgan Gibbs-White. 87' Christoph Zimmermann (budgies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 87' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). 86' Moritz Leitner (budgies) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 86' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). 85' Timm Klose (budgies) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 85' Foul by Benik Afobe , (WW). 83' Timm Klose (budgies) wins a free kick on the left wing. 83' Foul by Benik Afobe , (WW). 83' Onel Hernández (budgies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 83' Foul by Barry Douglas , (WW). 83' Sub, (budgies) Onel Hernández replaces Mario Vrancic. 83' Sub, (budgies) Josh Murphy replaces Marley Watkins. 82' Foul by Timm Klose (budgies). 82' Benik Afobe , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 82' Attempt saved. Morgan Gibbs-White , (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 79' Foul by Marley Watkins (budgies). 79' Conor Coady , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 77' Foul by Marley Watkins (budgies). 77' Matt Doherty , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Booking 75' Diogo Jota , (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 75' James Maddison (budgies) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 75' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). 71' Offside, (WW). Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 70' Nélson Oliveira (budgies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 70' Foul by Ryan Bennett , (WW). 69' Sub, (WW). Morgan Gibbs-White replaces Alfred N'Diaye. 68' Sub, (budgies) Nélson Oliveira replaces Dennis Srbeny. 67' Corner, (budgies) Conceded by Rúben Neves. 65' Attempt saved. Marley Watkins (budgies) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dennis Srbeny. 60' Sub, (WW). Benik Afobe replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 57' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Timm Klose. 54' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Matt Doherty following a fast break. Booking 52' Alfred N'Diaye , (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 51' Dennis Srbeny (budgies) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 51' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye , (WW). 50' Offside, (WW). Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Alfred N'Diaye is caught offside. 46' James Maddison (budgies) wins a free kick on the left wing. 46' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye , (WW). Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Norwich City 1.
45' Sub, (WW). Romain Saiss replaces Hélder Costa.
HT
Wolves Norwich
Possession 43% 57%
Shots 7 3
Shots on Target 2 2
Corners 2 1
Fouls 8 7
45'+3' First Half ends, (WW) 2, Norwich City 1.
45'+3' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Timm Klose. 45' Attempt saved. Marley Watkins (budgies) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 44' Foul by Jamal Lewis (budgies). 44' Matt Doherty , (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 43' Attempt missed. Barry Douglas , (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick. 42' Foul by Christoph Zimmermann (budgies). 42' Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 41' Hand ball by Mario Vrancic (budgies). 40' Corner, (budgies) Conceded by Diogo Jota. 40' James Maddison (budgies) wins a free kick on the right wing. 40' Foul by Willy Boly , (WW). 39' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a headed pass. 38' Foul by Mario Vrancic (budgies). 38' Alfred N'Diaye , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Booking 36' Rúben Neves , (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 35' James Maddison (budgies) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 35' Foul by Rúben Neves , (WW). 33' Foul by Mario Vrancic (budgies). 33' Alfred N'Diaye , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 32' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 31' Delay in match Diogo Jota , (WW) because of an injury. 29' Moritz Leitner (budgies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 29' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). Goal! 27' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Norwich City 1. Christoph Zimmermann (budgies) header from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Maddison with a cross following a set piece situation. 27' Mario Vrancic (budgies) wins a free kick on the left wing. 27' Foul by Rúben Neves , (WW). Goal!
25' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Norwich City 0. Alfred N'Diaye , (WW) header from the right side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a corner. 24' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Christoph Zimmermann. 24' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota , (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Hélder Costa. 21' Attempt missed. Barry Douglas , (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. 21' Attempt blocked. Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Hélder Costa 19' Foul by Harrison Reed (budgies). 19' Barry Douglas , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 17' Mario Vrancic (budgies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 17' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). 17' Christoph Zimmermann (budgies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 17' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). 15' Foul by Marley Watkins (budgies). 15' Conor Coady , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal!
14' Own Goal by Jamal Lewis, (budgies) Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Norwich City 0. 13' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota , (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 13' Attempt missed. Harrison Reed (budgies) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Mario Vrancic. 6' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Timm Klose. 4' Foul by Conor Coady , (WW). 4' James Maddison (budgies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 3' Foul by Ryan Bennett , (WW). 3' Dennis Srbeny (budgies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Kick Off
First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Wolves striker Leo Bonatini and midfielder Romain Saiss are both in contention for the runway Championship leaders at home to Norwich City. Saiss, along with Ruben Neves, is just one yellow card away from 10 cautions and an automatic two-game suspension. Norwich's fit-again captain Ivo Pinto is likely to return for the Canaries. On-loan Spurs midfielder Marcus Edwards (back) is in contention for his debut, while new boys Onel Hernandez and Dennis Srbeny may make first starts. Defender Pinto has recovered from the knee problem he sustained when getting out of his car and was an unused substitute for Sunday's dramatic 1-1 derby draw at home to Ipswich. Ex-Wolves winger Matt Jarvis is back in training after his long-term ankle problem but it is probably too soon for the former Molineux favourite to be considered.
Match Facts
Norwich's 2-1 victory at Molineux last season was their first away win against Wolves in their last 15 visits. The Canaries, who lost 2-0 at home to Wolves in October, have not lost successive league games against Wolves since September 2007. Wolves have lost only one of their last 18 Championship matches - the 2-0 defeat came at Molineux against Nottingham Forest in January. After losing four consecutive away league matches, Norwich are unbeaten in their last five games on the road. Wolves, 11 points clear at the top, start the night 27 points better off than Norwich.
32 Preston NE 1 Browne (52' ),Wolves 1 Costa 61'
32 Preston North End 1 Browne (52' ), Welsh (Dismissed at 59' ) Wolves 1 Costa 61'
Championship leaders Wolves came from behind to draw with 10-man Preston North End at Deepdale. 
Shortly after striking the post, Alan Browne put Preston ahead with a header from a Callum Robinson corner. But North End had John Welsh sent off for a second bookable offence, leaving the hosts with 10 men for 31 minutes. Wolves equalised quickly, Ivan Cavaleiro setting up Helder Costa to slot home, but the visitors were denied a fourth successive victory. Substitute Benik Afobe had the best opportunity for a Wolves winner, but he was denied by Preston goalkeeper Declan Rudd. Wanderers' lead at the top of the Championship was reduced to 11 points, while play-off chasers Preston have lost only once in 16 league matches and are two points off the top six. The reverse fixture in October, which Wolves won 3-2, sparked into life after a quiet first 45 minutes and the game at Deepdale followed a similar pattern. Browne, who was sent off in the match at Molineux, had a more positive impact on his home ground to nod in the opener. But the game hinged on Welsh's red card, shown following fouls on Diogo Jota and Cavaleiro either side of the interval, and Wolves took control from then on.
Preston
1Rudd 14Fisher Booked at 31 23Huntington 20Davies 32Earl 19WelshBooked at 59 11Johnson sub for Harropat 88' 39Bodin 8Browne 29Barkhuizen Booked at 59 sub for Moultat 88' 37Robinson sub for Horganat 70' Substitutes 7Horgan 10Harrop 15Woods 17Spurr 21Moult 22Maxwell 35O'Reilly
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 4N'Diaye sub for Afobeat 62' 8Neves 3Douglas 17Costa sub for Saissat 81' 18Jota 7Cavaleiro sub for Bonatiniat 89' Substitutes 6Batth 19Afobe 24Gibbs-White 25Miranda 27Saiss 31Norris 33Bonatini
Referee: Robert Jones Attendance: 18,570 5,626 Wolves fans (Pictured by Tim Spiers of Express & Star)
Preston Wolves
Possession 39% 61%
Shots 7 13
Shots on Target 2 4
Corners 4 5
Fouls 8 11
Full Time
90'+5' Second Half ends, Preston North End 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. 90'+4' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 89' Sub, (WW) Léo Bonatini replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 88' Sub, Preston North End. Josh Harrop replaces Daniel Johnson. 88' Sub, Preston North End. Louis Moult replaces Tom Barkhuizen. 86' Attempt saved. 
Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 85' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Declan Rudd. 85' Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt Doherty with a through ball. 81' Sub, (WW) Romain Saiss replaces Hélder Costa. 79' Offside, (WW) Barry Douglas tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 74' Foul by Benik Afobe (WW). 74' Darnell Fisher (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 70' Sub, Preston North End. Daryl Horgan replaces Callum Robinson. 68' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. 67' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Paul Huntington. 66' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. 64' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 63' Delay in match Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) because of an injury. 62' Sub, (WW) Benik Afobe replaces Alfred N'Diaye. Goal!
61' Goal! Preston North End 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Hélder Costa (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. Booking 59' Tom Barkhuizen (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card.
Dismissal 59' Second yellow card to John Welsh (Preston North End) for a bad foul. 58' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 58' Foul by John Welsh (Preston North End). 57' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 57' Foul by Daniel Johnson (Preston North End). 56' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 56' Ben Davies (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 55' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Joshua Earl. 54' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 54' Foul by Joshua Earl (Preston North End). Goal! 52'
Goal! Preston North End 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Alan Browne (Preston North End) header from the right side of the six yard box to the top right corner. Assisted by Callum Robinson with a cross following a corner. 52' Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Willy Boly. 52'
Attempt blocked. Darnell Fisher (Preston North End) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Billy Bodin. 49' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 49' Alan Browne (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 48' Attempt saved. Alan Browne (Preston North End) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Darnell Fisher. 47' Foul by Hélder Costa (WW). 46' Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing. 46' Foul by Hélder Costa (WW). 46' John Welsh (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Second Half
Second Half begins Preston North End 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Preston Wolves
Possession 50% 50%
Shots 3 7
Shots on Target 0 1
Corners 3 2
Fouls 5 6
Half Time 45'+2' First Half ends, Preston North End 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
45'+1' Offside, (WW) Rúben Neves tries a through ball, but Diogo Jota is caught offside. 45' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Hélder Costa. 45' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Barry Douglas. 43' Attempt missed. Ryan Bennett (WW) header from the left side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross following a corner. 42' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Callum Robinson. Booking 41' John Welsh (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 41' Foul by John Welsh (Preston North End). 41' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 40' Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Rúben Neves. 39' Attempt missed. Alan Browne (Preston North End) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Callum Robinson with a cross following a corner. 38' Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by John Ruddy. 37' Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Alfred N'Diaye. 35' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 35' Alan Browne (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the right wing. 34' Hand ball by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 33' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 33' Foul by Daniel Johnson (Preston North End). Booking 31' Darnell Fisher (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 31' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 31' Foul by Darnell Fisher (Preston North End). 30' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner. 30' Attempt blocked. Willy Boly (WW) head
er from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. 29' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Ben Davies. 29' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 28' Darnell Fisher (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 28' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 26' Attempt missed. Callum Robinson (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Daniel Johnson following a fast break. 24' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 23' John Welsh (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 23' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 13' Foul by Joshua Earl (Preston North End). 13' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 12' Ben Davies (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 12' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 9' Foul by Daniel Johnson (Preston North End). 9' Alfred N'Diaye (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 7' Attempt missed. Tom Barkhuizen (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 4' Billy Bodin (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 4' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). Kick Off
First Half begins. Pic of Sir Tom Finney John Bray
Preston North End will be without suspended left-back Greg Cunningham for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Tom Clarke (knock) and Paul Gallagher are doubts, but defender Ben Davies (virus) may be able to feature. Wolves striker Leo Bonatini and midfielder Romain Saiss missed the win over QPR on 10 February but their injuries are not long-term problems. On-loan Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe is pushing for his first start after making two substitute appearances. Wolves have won their past three games and will start the match 12 points clear at the top of the Championship.
prediction Home win 27% Draw 28% Away win 45%
Match facts
Each of the last three league meetings between these teams at Deepdale have ended as draws, with two of those ending goalless. Wolves have not beaten Preston in three consecutive league matches since September 1986 (a run of four). League leaders Wolves have made the fewest changes to their starting line-up in the Championship this season (33). Wolves are the first Championship team to record 71+ points after the first 31 games of the season since Reading (76) in 2005-06. The Royals went on to gain 106 points in that campaign, a second-tier record. Preston have lost just one of their last 15 Championship matches (W7 D7), losing to Middlesbrough on New Year's Day. Only Wolves (four) have lost fewer games in the Championship this season than Preston (six - level with Aston Villa and Derby).
31 Wolves 1 Washington (51') HT 2-0 QPR 1 Washington (51') HT 2-0
Wolves 1 QPR 1 Washington (51') HT 2-0
Wolves beat QPR to go 13 points clear at the top of the Championship - but they survived some nervy second-half moments to win narrowly at Molineux.
Alfred N'Diaye turned in a cross from Ivan Cavaleiro to put Wolves ahead, and Cavaleiro set up fellow winger Helder Costa for the second before half-time. Conor Washington, who had forced two early saves from John Ruddy, hooked in QPR's reply shortly after the break. Wolves captain Conor Coady cleared Eberechi Eze's late shot off the line. Substitute Matt Smith fired over and Ruddy kept out an effort from Pawel Wszolek, while Ryan Bennett's last-ditch challenge denied Washington to preserve three points for the home side. The Championship leaders looked set for a thumping victory once they had overcome a slow start to go in front. Senegal midfielder N'Diaye bundled in his first goal since September, while Portuguese winger Costa rounded off a superb team move to end his personal three-month goal drought. Wolves had several opportunities to put the game beyond Rangers, one of only four teams to have beaten Wanderers in the league this season, by half-time. The introduction of giant striker Smith at the interval significantly increased QPR's attacking threat, but Wolves just about survived to extend their lead over second-placed Derby, who drew at home to Norwich.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo told BBC WM: "The first half was a very good half, with many chances and good football. The second half was differed and we have to be more compact. QPR started putting in long balls, which changed the game. They are a well organised team and have a way of football which requires a lot of defensive organisation to stop them. The result we achieved was important."
QPR manager Ian Holloway told BBC Radio London: "I was very upset at half-time but the lads gave a resounding response. It is tough with a pitch that big and the confidence level of them. Their manager is excellent, the way they play is tried and tested and they have taken the club miles forward. When they pass it as nicely and well as they do, it is very difficult. I tried something and it could have worked, but we didn't take the opportunities. We showed more than enough nous but we needed to get an equaliser."
Teams
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 8Neves 4N'Diaye 3Douglas 17Costa sub for Gibbs-Whiteat 77' 18Jota Cavaleiro sub for Afobeat 65' Substitutes 6Batth 9Mir Vicente 19Afobe 24Gibbs-White 25Miranda 29Vinagre 31Norris
QPR
1Smithies 6LynchBooked at 40mins 5Onuoha 24Perch sub for Ezeat 42' 22Wszolek 8CousinsBooked at 45minsSubstituted forSmithat 45' 18Robinson 11Scowen 3Bidwell 7FreemanBooked at 64mins 9Washington Substitutes 13Ingram 17Smith 20Baptiste 30Eze 33Chair 34Osayi-Samuel 38Oteh
Referee: Geoff Eltringham Attendance: 30,168
Wolves QPR
Possession 53% 47%
Shots 10 12
Shots on Target 2 6
Corners 6 5
Fouls 8 13
Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Queens Park Rangers 1.
Full Time 90'+3' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Queens Park Rangers 1.
90'+2' Attempt missed. Josh Scowen (QPR) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 90'+1' Attempt blocked. Matt Smith (QPR) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Pawel Wszolek. 90' Attempt blocked. Eberechi Eze (QPR) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 88' Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (QPR) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. 86' Corner, (QPR) Conceded by John Ruddy. 86' Attempt missed. Conor Washington (QPR) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. 83' Attempt missed. Benik Afobe , (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Diogo Jota with a cross. 82' Attempt missed. Matt Doherty , (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Benik Afobe with a cross. 81' Rúben Neves , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 81' Foul by Eberechi Eze (QPR). 80' Attempt missed. Benik Afobe , (WW) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Morgan Gibbs-White with a cross. 80' Conor Coady , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 80' Foul by Matt Smith (QPR). 79' Barry Douglas , (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 79' Foul by Pawel Wszolek (QPR). 77' Sub, (WW) Morgan Gibbs-White replaces Hélder Costa. 70' Corner, (QPR) Conceded by John Ruddy. 70' Attempt saved. Pawel Wszolek (QPR) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Conor Washington. 69' Attempt missed. Eberechi Eze (QPR) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 68' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves , (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 66' Corner, (QPR) Conceded by Barry Douglas. 65' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye , (WW). 65' Josh Scowen (QPR) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 65' Sub, (WW) Benik Afobe replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 64' Attempt blocked. Willy Boly , (WW) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. Booking 64' Luke Freeman (QPR) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 63' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jack Robinson. 63' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota , (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 62' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW).
62' Jake Bidwell (QPR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 61' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jack Robinson. 61' Attempt blocked. Rúben Neves , (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 59' Foul by Josh Scowen (QPR). 59' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 56' Foul by Hélder Costa , (WW). 56' Luke Freeman (QPR) wins a free kick on the left wing. 55' Alfred N'Diaye , (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 55' Foul by Luke Freeman (QPR). 53' Attempt missed. Matt Smith (QPR) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Joel Lynch following a set piece situation. 53' Foul by Hélder Costa , (WW). 53' Joel Lynch (QPR) wins a free kick on the left wing. Goal! 51' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Queens Park Rangers 1. Conor Washington (QPR) right footed shot from very close range to the top left corner following a corner. 51' Attempt saved. Matt Smith (QPR) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Pawel Wszolek with a cross. 51' Corner, (QPR) Conceded by Barry Douglas. 50' Offside, (WW) Willy Boly tries a through ball, but Hélder Costa is caught offside. 49' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 49' Foul by Nedum Onuoha (QPR). 48' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota , (WW) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a corner. 47' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jack Robinson. 47' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jake Bidwell. Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Queens Park Rangers 0.
Wolves QPR
Possession 49% 51%
Shots 4 4
Shots on Target 2 2
Corners 2 1
Fouls 4 7
Half Time 45'+4' First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Queens Park Rangers 0.
45'+4' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 45'+3' Delay in match Rúben Neves , (WW) because of an injury. Booking 45'+2' Jordan Cousins (QPR) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 45'+2' Foul by Jordan Cousins (QPR). 45'+2' Rúben Neves , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 44' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Nedum Onuoha. 43' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jack Robinson. 42' Sub, (QPR) Eberechi Eze replaces James Perch. 42' Foul by Luke Freeman (QPR). 42' Rúben Neves , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Booking 40' Noel Lynch (QPR) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 40' Foul by Joel Lynch (QPR). 40' Hélder Costa , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 35' Attempt missed. Josh Scowen (QPR) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation. 35' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW). 35' Josh Scowen (QPR) wins a free kick on the right wing. 31' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota , (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hélder Costa 28' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW). 28' Luke Freeman (QPR) wins a free kick on the right wing. 27' Foul by Rúben Neves , (WW). 27' Luke Freeman (QPR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 24' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa , (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Diogo Jota. Goal!
21' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Queens Park Rangers 0. Hélder Costa , (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. 19' Attempt saved. Luke Freeman (QPR) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jordan Cousins. 18' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW). 18' Josh Scowen (QPR) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 15' Offside, (WW) Alfred N'Diaye tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside. 13' Offside, (WW) Alfred N'Diaye tries a through ball, but Diogo Jota is caught offside.
Goal!
12' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Queens Park Rangers 0. Alfred N'Diaye , (WW) with an attempt from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross. 11' Hélder Costa , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 11' Foul by Joel Lynch (QPR). 11'Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing.
11' Foul by Jordan Cousins (QPR). 11' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 11' Foul by James Perch (QPR). 5' Corner, (QPR) Conceded by Conor Coady. 5' Attempt blocked. Conor Washington (QPR) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luke Freeman with a through ball. 2' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 2' Foul by Jordan Cousins (QPR). 2' Attempt saved. Conor Washington (QPR) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Luke Freeman. Kick Off First Half begins
Championship leaders Wolves have no new injury concerns for the visit of QPR, who beat Wanderers 2-1 in October. Morocco international midfielder Romain Saiss (hamstring) has missed the past two games, but is close to a return. QPR midfielder Ryan Manning starts a three-match ban for his sending-off in their win against Barnsley. Grant Hall (knee), Paul Smyth (thigh) and Idrissa Sylla (calf) will be assessed, but Jamie Mackie (back) and David Wheeler (ankle) are out.
prediction Home win 73% Draw 18% Away win 9% SAM, the Sports Analytics Machine.
Match facts
Wolves have not beaten QPR at Molineux in a league game since April 2009 - they have lost all three since. The Hoops have kept one clean sheet in their past 13 league visits to Molineux, Paddy Kenny doing so in a 3-0 win in September 2011. Matej Vydra has had a hand in more goals (19) in the Championship this season than Leo Bonatini (17), who has not scored or assisted in any of his last 10 appearances. Wolves have kept 17 clean sheets in the Championship this season, four more than they managed last season (13). The Hoops have won three of their previous five league games, as many as they had won in their previous 19 combined.
30 Wolves 3 Neves (5'), Jota (30'), Cavaleiro (76') Sheffield United 0 Moore (Dismissed at 73').
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 Neves (5'), Jota (30'), Cavaleiro (76') Sheffield United 0 Moore (Dismissed at 73').
Wolves maintained their 11-point lead at the top of the Championship with a stylish victory over Sheffield United. Ruben Neves curled an unstoppable right-foot effort into the top right corner for an early opening goal. Diogo Jota doubled the hosts' lead after a neat one-two with Ivan Cavaleiro finished off a flowing move. Cavaleiro added a third goal after the break from a deflected free-kick, moments after Blades goalkeeper Moore had been sent off for a foul on Jota.
Wolves' margin of victory looked comfortable even before Moore was shown a straight red card as he collided with Jota outside his area when trying to beat the forward to a high ball. Benik Afobe came off the bench to mark his return to Wolves after a loan move from Bournemouth on transfer deadline day and almost added a fourth goal with his first touch. Chances were few and far between for Sheffield United as they fell to a second defeat in five days to fall five points off the play-off places and drop a place to eighth. Back-to-back wins for Wolves after their surprising 2-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest last month mean they keep a 12-point cushion inside the automatic promotion places over third-placed Aston Villa.
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 4N'Diaye 8Neves 3Douglas 17Costa sub for Bonatiniat 65' 18Jota sub for Gibbs-Whiteat 81' 7Cavaleiro sub for Afobeat 77' Substitutes 6Batth 19Afobe 24Gibbs-White 26Enobakhare 30Hause 31Norris 33Bonatini
Sheff Utd
1MooreBooked at 73mins 6Basham sub for Leonardat 71' 19Stearman 5O'Connell 2Baldock 20Evans 26Holmes sub for Donaldsonat 71' 4Fleck 3Stevens 9Clarke 12Wilson sub for Eastwoodat 76' Substitutes 7Lundstram 10Sharp 11Donaldson 14Leonard 21Duffy 24Lafferty 31Eastwood
Referee: Darren Bond Attendance: 29,311
Match Stats
WolvesSheff Utd
Possession 53% 47%
Shots 13 6
Shots on Target 3 1
Corners 5 1
Fouls 12 7
Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, (SU) 0.
Full Time 90'+5' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, (SU) 0.
90'+3' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 90'+3' Richard Stearman , (SU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 90' Ryan Leonard , (SU) wins a free kick on the right wing. 84' Attempt missed. Benik Afobe (WW) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Matt Doherty with a cross. 84' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 83' Foul by Enda Stevens , (SU). 83' Léo Bonatini (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing 82' Offside, (WW) Léo Bonatini tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 81' Sub, (WW) Morgan Gibbs-White replaces Diogo Jota. 80' Foul by Ryan Leonard , (SU). 80' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 77' Sub, (WW) Benik Afobe replaces Ivan Cavaleiro.
Goal! 76' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, (SU) 0. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
76' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 76' Sub, (SU). Jake Eastwood replaces James Wilson. 74' Delay in match Diogo Jota (WW) because of an injury. Dismissal 73' Simon Moore , (SU) is shown the red card.
73' Foul by Simon Moore , (SU). 73' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 72' Offside, (WW) Diogo Jota tries a through ball, but Léo Bonatini is caught offside. 71' Sub, (SU). Clayton Donaldson replaces Ricky Holmes. 71' Sub, (SU). Ryan Leonard replaces Chris Basham. 70' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross. 67' Offside, (SU). Jack O'Connell tries a through ball, but Leon Clarke is caught offside. 66' Lee Evans , (SU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 66' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 66' Jack O'Connell , (SU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 66' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 65' Sub, (WW) Léo Bonatini replaces Hélder Costa. 65' Offside, (SU). Chris Basham tries a through ball, but George Baldock is caught offside. 62' Attempt missed. Ricky Holmes , (SU) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 57' Leon Clarke , (SU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 57' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 55' Attempt missed. Ricky Holmes , (SU) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Enda Stevens with a cross. 52' Ricky Holmes , (SU) wins a free kick on the left wing. 52' Foul by Matt Doherty (WW). 51' Chris Basham , (SU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 51' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 51' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 50' Attempt blocked. Barry Douglas (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 49' Foul by Lee Evans , (SU). 49' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Second Half
Pic Sam Bagnall
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, (SU) 0.
WolvesSheff Utd
Possession 49% 51%
Shots 7 4
Shots on Target 2 1
Corners 5 1
Fouls 5 3
Half Time 
45'+2'
First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, (SU) 0. Pic Neves scpres Sam Bagnall
45' Attempt blocked. Lee Evans , (SU) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by George Baldock. 44' Attempt blocked. Alfred N'Diaye (WW) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. 43' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Ricky Holmes. 42' George Baldock , (SU) wins a free kick on the right wing. 42' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 41' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 41' Ricky Holmes , (SU) wins a free kick on the left wing. 41' Foul by George Baldock , (SU). 41' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 40' Attempt missed. Willy Boly (WW) header from very close range is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a corner. 39' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jack O'Connell. 36' Attempt saved. James Wilson , (SU) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by John Fleck. 35' Attempt blocked. James Wilson , (SU) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lee Evans. 33' Attempt blocked. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hélder Costa.
Goal! 30' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, (SU) 0. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. 28' Ricky Holmes , (SU) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 28' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 26' Foul by Lee Evans , (SU). 26' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 23' Foul by Richard Stearman , (SU). 23' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 19' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Lee Evans. 19' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jack O'Connell. 19' Attempt blocked. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 16' Ricky Holmes , (SU) wins a free kick on the left wing. 16' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 13' Attempt missed. Lee Evans , (SU) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by John Fleck. 12' Simon Moore , (SU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 12' Dangerous play by Willy Boly (WW). 11' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jack O'Connell. 9' Corner, (SU). Conceded by Ryan Bennett.
Goal! 5' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, (SU) 0. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner.
2' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross.
Kick Off - First Half begins.
Kick pic Tim Spiers E&S
Wolves will include Benik Afobe in their squad to face Sheffield United after the striker rejoined the Championship leaders on Wednesday. Midfielder Romain Saiss (hamstring) remains out after missing the win at Ipswich last Saturday. Sheffield United have no new injury or suspension concerns following Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa. Goalkeeper Jamal Blackman (groin) is undergoing rehabilitation with parent club Chelsea.
SAM prediction win 64% Draw 22% win 14%
Match facts
Wolves have lost one of their last 11 league matches against Sheffield United (W5 D5). The Blades have not done a Football League double over Wolves since the 1989/90 season. Nottingham Forest ended Wolves' 11 game unbeaten run (W9 D2) in their last league game, they haven't lost two in a run at Molineux since February 2017. Sheffield United are winless in their last 11 Championship matches when facing a side starting that day top of the table (D4 L7), with their last win of this kind coming in October 2003 against West Bromwich Albion. The Blades have won just two of their last 12 league games (D4 L6), this is after 11 wins in their previous 14 (L3). Chris Wilder's only previous managerial trip to Molineux saw his Northampton side - then of League Two - win 3-2 at Wolves in the League Cup in August 2014.
29 Ipswich Town 0 Wolves 1 Doherty 15’
29 Ipswich Town 0 Wolves 1 Doherty (15')
HT 0-1
Doc's goal https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/957271445771612160
Home match for Abbswolf, Jenny and WWLSC
Wolves moved 12 points clear at the top of the Championship with victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Full-back Matt Doherty headed in Barry Douglas' left-wing cross to give Wolves a deserved half-time lead. Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves and left-back Douglas also went close for the visitors in the first period. Jota had two more efforts saved by Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski, while Martyn Waghorn shot into the side-netting for the hosts.
Tim Spiers' analysis
Analysis
So it turns out a bit of vitamin D was all they needed. Wolves jetted off to Marbella with their tail between their legs and duly returned refreshed, reformed and looking like their old selves, writes Tim Spiers at Portman Road. Maybe they should fly to Spain every week. With their passing crisp, their movement dynamic and their creative juices flowing this was much more like the Wolves who've had their fans calling this the best team they've seen for decades. They were organised at the back and devastating on the break...in all but the finishing touch, which was the only thing lacking here with Jota, Costa and Bonatini all spurning opportunities. On a number of occasions they carved Ipswich open only for either the killer final pass or the clinical finishing to let them down. Ipswich threatened sporadically at the other end but really this should have ended as a three or four-goal away win. And for a team that's scored 12 goals in 12 games, or just two in five, that does remain a slight concern. All that ultimately mattered here though, after their worst run of the season, was getting back to winning ways. And Wolves certainly deserved to do so. Credit to Nuno for switching them back on after what appears to have been a thoroughly productive week away. With their promotion rivals not playing until midweek they knew that another defeat would have left the door ajar for Derby to close the gap to six points. Instead they have thrown down the gauntlet yet again. They lead by 12 and who would bet against them finishing the job from here? Crisis over.
Match report
Nuno made two changes from the team that lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest last week. Leo Bonatini dropped to the bench and Romain Saiss wasn't involved in the squad due to a slight hamstring strain, with Helder Costa and Alfred N'Diaye coming into the XI. Rafa Mir also missed out altogether. Mick McCarthy handed a full debut to former Wolves midfielder Stephen Gleeson, while loanee Dominic Iorfa was ineligible to face his parent club. Conditions weren't ideal at Portman Road – torrential rain was making an already soft pitch more difficult to play on and after a poor showing in similar circumstances at Swansea you wondered how they'd cope, but Wolves soon adapted and made the better start.
Their passing was crisper and they were sharper in the final third than in recent weeks, with a front three of Costa, Ivan Cavaleiro and Diogo Jota regularly interchanging. Ipswich tested John Ruddy with a couple of half decent efforts but it was confident Wolves who took an early lead in the 15th minute. N'Diaye made a bursting run into the box and could have gone down when he was blocked off but persevered and cutely passed to the overlapping Barry Douglas, whose lifted cross was headed down and into the net by Matt Doherty. After two defeats it was just what Wolves needed and they looked likely to add to their lead. Douglas' 20-yard free kick was well saved low to his left by Bartosz Bialkowski before the keeper made another solid stop to keep out a well-struck Jota shot. With the revitalised Douglas and Doherty regularly getting in down the flanks only a final ball was lacking. But Ipswich offered a few warning signs at the other end with the dangerous Bersant Celina curling just wide and then David McGoldrick forcing Ruddy to tip over his 20-yarder. It wasn't the easiest game on the eye, with the conditions certainly not helping, but Wolves had earned their half time lead. They should have added to it – twice – in the early stages of the second half. Nuno's team were sitting deep, soaking up pressure and hitting Ipswich on the break. It worked a treat with everything bar the finishing touch, with Jota first unable to fire past Bialkowski from eight yards after being played in by Costa. And then Jota inexplicably passed the ball behind Costa when in on goal. He could have curled it in himself but chose the unselfish option and got it horribly wrong. The front three were working beautifully in tandem but that clinical finish was still lacking. Cavaleiro set up Costa but he couldn't dink over the onrushing keeper from a tight angle on the right. Martyn Waghorn fired into the side netting as Ipswich again reminded Wolves that the game was far from won. Nuno called for Bonatini – goalless since December 4 – and he almost made an instant impact when crashing a first-time volley goalwards from Douglas cross, but it was blocked. Then the impressive Bialkowski superbly saved from the Brazilian striker, pushing away his powerful shot from the right of the box. And Bialkowski saved Ipswich again a minute later, palming substitute Bright Enobakhare's 18-yard volley to safety as the spurned Wolves opportunities piled up. Wolves should have been out of sight and they had to endure a nervy final few with Grant Ward shanking a volley from close range and then Ruddy spilling a cross in stoppage time, but Nuno's team saw it through and their fans defiantly sang "we shall not be moved" as the full time celebrations ensued,
Read more at https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2018/01/27/ipswich-town-0-wolves-1--report/#2aMBMz1XqekPSUR5.99
Time showed the view at ITFC
Ipswich
33Bialkowski 12Spence 27Carter-Vickers 4Chambers 3Knudsen 25GleesonBooked at 24mins Sub for Wardat 83' 16ConnollyBooked at 75mins 9WaghornBooked at 12mins 10McGoldrick Sub for Searsat 83' 11Celina 14GarnerSubstituted orHyamat 84' Substitutes 6Webster 18Ward 19Hyam 20Sears 24Crowe 28Bru 30Kenlock
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 4N'DiayeBooked at 84mins 8Neves 3Douglas 17Costa Sub for Enobakhareat 78' 7Cavaleiro Sub for Bonatiniat 71' 18Jota Substitutes 6Batth 24Gibbs-White 25Miranda 26Enobakhare 29Vinagre 31Norris 33Bonatini
Referee: Simon Hooper Attendance: 15,971 1189 WW fans
Stats ITFC WWFC
Possession 56% 44%
Shots 11 15
Shots on Target 6 10
Corners 5 4
Fouls 7 14
90'+4' Second Half ends, Ipswich Town 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
90'+2' Attempt saved. Grant Ward (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 90'+1' Grant Ward (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+1' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 89' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick. 88' Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (IT). 88' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 87' Grant Ward (IT) wins a free kick on the right wing. 87' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 86' Attempt saved. Bersant Celina (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 86' Luke Hyam (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86' Foul by Bright Enobakhare (WW). Booking 84' Alfred N'Diaye (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 84' Callum Connolly (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 84' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 84' Sub, (IT) Luke Hyam replaces Joe Garner. 83' Sub, (IT) Grant Ward replaces Stephen Gleeson. 83' Sub, (IT) Freddie Sears replaces David McGoldrick. 82' Attempt saved. Alfred N'Diaye (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 81' Corner, (WW) Conceded by David McGoldrick. 80' Attempt saved. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 78' Sub, (WW) Bright Enobakhare replaces Hélder Costa. 76' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick. Booking 75' Callum Connolly (IT) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 75' Foul by Callum Connolly (IT). 75' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 72' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 71' Sub, (WW) Léo Bonatini replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 70' Attempt missed. Martyn Waghorn (IT) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. 68' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 68' Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 61' Bersant Celina (IT) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 61' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 58' Attempt blocked. Bersant Celina (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 57' Martyn Waghorn (IT) wins a free kick on the right wing. 57' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 55' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 53' Offside, (IT) Stephen Gleeson tries a through ball, but Joe Garner is caught offside. 52' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 50' Martyn Waghorn (IT) wins a free kick on the right wing. 50' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 49' Attempt saved. Alfred N'Diaye (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 47' Callum Connolly (IT) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 47' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 47' Stephen Gleeson (IT) wins a free kick on the right wing. 47' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). Second Half
Second Half begins Ipswich Town 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
Half Time
Ipswich Wolves
Possession 47% 53%
Shots 7 5
Shots on Target 4-3
Corners 5 3
Fouls 5 5
45'+3' First Half ends, Ipswich Town 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
45'+2' Offside, (IT) Stephen Gleeson tries a through ball, but Joe Garner is caught offside. 44' Corner, (IT) Conceded by John Ruddy. 44' Attempt saved. David McGoldrick (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. 37' Offside, (IT) Martyn Waghorn tries a through ball, but Jordan Spence is caught offside. 36' Offside, (WW) Ryan Bennett tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside. 35' Hand ball by Rúben Neves (WW). 34' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. 33' Attempt missed. Bersant Celina (IT) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Martyn Waghorn following a corner. 33' Corner, (IT) Conceded by Matt Doherty. 31' Attempt saved. Callum Connolly (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 30' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 27' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 27' Callum Connolly (IT) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 25' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Bartosz Bialkowski. 25' Attempt saved. Barry Douglas (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Booking 24' Stephen Gleeson (IT) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 23' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 23' Stephen Gleeson (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 23' Corner, (WW) Conceded by David McGoldrick. 22' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 22' Jordan Spence (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 22' Attempt blocked. Stephen Gleeson (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 21' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 21' Joe Garner (IT) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 20' Offside, (WW) Ryan Bennett tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside. 18' Corner, (IT) Conceded by Barry Douglas. Goal!
15' Goal! Ipswich Town 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) header from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Booking 12' Martyn Waghorn (IT) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 12' Willy Boly (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 12' Foul by Martyn Waghorn (IT). 12' Attempt saved. Martyn Waghorn (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. 11' Attempt saved. Callum Connolly (IT) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 10' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jordan Spence. 9' Jonas Knudsen (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 9' Foul by Matt Doherty (WW). 7' Foul by Joe Garner (IT). 7' Ryan Bennett (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 5' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. 4' Foul by Callum Connolly (IT).
4' Alfred N'Diaye (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 4' Attempt blocked. Stephen Gleeson (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 4' Corner, (IT) Conceded by Matt Doherty. 3' Corner, (IT) Conceded by Rúben Neves. 1' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 1' Foul by Jonas Knudsen (IT).
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Ipswich will welcome Adam Webster and Grant Ward back into the squad after recovering from injuries. Midfielder Cole Skuse (foot) misses out while Tom Adeyemi is closing in on a return but is short of match fitness. Leaders Wolves spent the week at a warm weather training camp in Spain following their 2-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest on 20 January. They have no fresh injury concerns and left-back Ruben Vinagre is available after serving a three-match ban. With their closest challengers not playing at the weekend, victory for Wolves will take them 12 points clear at the top of the Championship.
Match facts
The last four league contests between these two sides have produced just one goal, with Wolves winning 1-0 in the reverse fixture thanks to Ivan Cavaleiro. In fact, before Wolves' victory, the last five league games had ended level, with Ipswich's last win coming in November 2014.
Since losing two successive league games at Portman Road at the end of October, Ipswich have lost just one of their previous seven (W4 D2), keeping clean sheets in three of their last four. Nottingham Forest ended Wolves' 13 game unbeaten run last Saturday (W10 D3), the Midlands club haven't lost two in a row in the league since April 2017. Wolves have failed to score in their last two Championship outings even though they are the highest scoring team in the league (50), they haven't failed to score in three consecutive league games since November 2014 (3). John Ruddy has a save percentage of 73.8% this season; the second-best figure of keepers to have played at least two games in the Championship (Sam Johnstone - 76.9%).
28 Wolves 0 Nottm Forest 2 Dowell (40' ), Osborn (43' )
At half time Mark Feehan and Roy Eagles presented Wolves Women FC with our sponsorship. Captain Anna Price (individually sponsored) and Claire Hakeman (sponsored by Mark) as well as the Ladies' club, following a celebration lunch at the Bluebrick
Beeb: Championship leaders Wolves had their 13-match unbeaten league run ended as Aitor Karanka claimed his first win as Nottingham Forest manager. Kieran Dowell's deflected 25-yard shot wrong-footed keeper John Ruddy to put Forest ahead against the run of play. The hosts were stunned again just three minutes later when Ben Osborn smashed in a shot from Matty Cash's pull-back. Wolves pressed after the break, but rarely threatened to break through Forest's disciplined defence.
Both managers rang the changes for contrasting reasons, with the hosts making nine to the starting XI narrowly beaten at Swansea in their midweek FA Cup replay, while Karanka made four for his second game in charge of out-of-form Forest. The hosts, who last tasted defeat at Molineux in mid-August against Cardiff, had the lion's share of possession for long periods. But Forest, who had picked up just five points in their nine previous league matches, kept them at arm's length and Matt Doherty almost deflected Dowell's free-kick into his own net before the visitors grabbed their quickfire double. Diogo Jota sent a curling shot just past the far post, but the Championship's most potent attack were unable to seriously test goalkeeper Jordan Smith throughout. Danny Fox had to head clear from under his own crossbar from Ivan Cavaleiro's cross as the home side sought a second-half comeback, but the defender almost claimed a third for the visitors when his header was tipped over the bar by Ruddy. The defeat meant Wolves' lead over second-placed Derby County remains at nine points, while Forest's first win in seven league matches lifted them a place to 14th.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo told BBC WM: "I think it was one of the games where we were not as good as we could and should be. "We knew that this day could come. We must improve and have to bounce back immediately from this. I am responsible maybe for not telling the boys we still have a long way to go. Nobody can relax here."
Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka: "It was a real good performance, it's not easy to win here and for me the most important thing has been the commitment from everybody. We have to grow, we have to be more intense. We have a really good squad. We were passing the ball really well - if we can play with more intensity we are going to improve. The club is very well organised - we will finish the transfer window with a better squad than we have now."
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett Booked at 90 16Coady Booked at 38 15Boly 2Doherty sub for Costaat 45' 27Saiss 8Neves sub for Mir Vicenteat 78' 3Douglas sub for Gibbs-Whiteat 45' 7Cavaleiro 33Bonatini 18Jota Booked at 65 Substitutes 4N'Diaye 6Batth 9Mir Vicente 17Costa 24Gibbs-White 25Miranda 31Norris
Nottm Forest
43Smith 2Lichaj 42Worrall Booked at 19 4Mancienne 13Fox Booked at 6 31Bouchalakis 14Cash 7Bridcutt Booked at 30 sub for Cloughat 69' 11Osborn 20Dowell sub for Darikwaat 83' 17Brereton Substitutes 5Mills 6Traore 16Clough 18Carayol 27Darikwa 30Henderson 39Vellios
Referee: Robert Madley Attendance: 29,050
Wolves Nottm Forest
Possession Home 63% Away 37%
Shots Home 6 Away 5
Shots on Target 1 Away 4
Corners Home 5 Away 4
Fouls Home 15 Away 7
Full Time 90'+5' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Nottingham Forest 2.
90'+5' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 90'+5' Ben Brereton (NF). wins a free kick on the right wing. 90'+4'
Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+4' Foul by Zach Clough (NF).. Booking 90'+3' Ryan Bennett (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 90'+3' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 90'+3' Eric Lichaj (NF). wins a free kick on the left wing. 90'+3' Corner, (NF). Conceded by Conor Coady. 90'+2' Attempt saved. Matthew Cash (NF). right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Osborn. 90'+1' Attempt missed. Rafa Mir (WW) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 88' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 88' Eric Lichaj (NF). wins a free kick on the left wing. 84' Offside, (WW). Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside. 83' Sub, (NF). Tendayi Darikwa replaces Kieran Dowell. 82' Foul by Rafa Mir (WW). 82' Andreas Bouchalakis (NF). wins a free kick in the defensive half. 82' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Michael Mancienne. 78' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 78' Ben Brereton (NF). wins a free kick on the right wing. 78' Sub, (WW). Rafa Mir replaces Rúben Neves. 77' Hand ball by Rúben Neves (WW). 74' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 74' Ben Brereton (NF). wins a free kick in the defensive half. 74' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Daniel Fox. 73' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 73' Ben Osborn (NF). wins a free kick in the defensive half. 72' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 72' Foul by Kieran Dowell (NF). 69' Sub, (NF). Zach Clough replaces Liam Bridcutt. 67' Attempt missed. Ryan Bennett (WW) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross following a set piece situation. 67' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 67' Foul by Eric Lichaj (NF). 65' Delay over. They are ready to continue. Booking 65' Diogo Jota (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 64' Delay in match Eric Lichaj (NF). because of an injury. 64' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 64' Eric Lichaj (NF). wins a free kick in the defensive half. 63' Offside, (WW). Conor Coady tries a through ball, but Diogo Jota is caught offside. 61' Offside, (WW). Rúben Neves tries a through ball, but Morgan Gibbs-White is caught offside. 59' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Morgan Gibbs-White. 56' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ryan Bennett. 55' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Joe Worrall. 50' Corner, (NF). Conceded by John Ruddy. 50' Attempt saved. Daniel Fox (NF). header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Kieran Dowell with a cross. 49' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 49' Ben Brereton (NF). wins a free kick on the right wing. 45' Sub, (WW). Hélder Costa replaces Matt Doherty. 45' Sub, (WW). Morgan Gibbs-White replaces Barry Douglas. Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Nottingham Forest 2.
HT 0-2
Wolves Nottm Forest
Possession 63% 37%
Shots 2 3
Shots on Target 0 2
Corners 2 2
Fouls 6 4
45'+4' First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Nottingham Forest 2.
44' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Matt Doherty. Goal! 43' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Nottingham Forest 2. Ben Osborn (NF). left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Matthew Cash with a cross. Goal! 40' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Nottingham Forest 1. Kieran Dowell (NF). left footed shot from outside the box to the centre of the goal following a corner. 39' Corner, (NF). Conceded by Willy Boly. 39' Attempt blocked. Ben Osborn (NF). left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kieran Dowell. Booking 38' Conor Coady (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 38' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 38' Ben Osborn (NF). wins a free kick in the attacking half. 35' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Ben Osborn. 32' Corner, (NF). Conceded by Matt Doherty. 31' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 31' Eric Lichaj (NF). wins a free kick on the right wing. Booking 30' Liam Bridcutt (NF). is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 29' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 29' Foul by Liam Bridcutt (NF).. 25' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Daniel Fox. 20' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 20' Delay in match Diogo Jota (WW) because of an injury. Booking 19' Joe Worrall (NF). is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 19' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 19' Foul by Joe Worrall (NF).. 17' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 17' Eric Lichaj (NF). wins a free kick in the defensive half. 14' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 14' Foul by Joe Worrall (NF).. 14' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 14' Andreas Bouchalakis (NF). wins a free kick in the attacking half. 9' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 8' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 8' Matthew Cash (NF). wins a free kick on the right wing. Booking 6' Daniel Fox (NF). is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 6' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 6' Foul by Daniel Fox (NF).. 6' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 5' Andreas Bouchalakis (NF). wins a free kick on the left wing.
Kick Off
Pix MarkF & WWFCFancast
First Half begins.
Championship leaders Wolves remain without defender Ruben Vinagre, who completes his three-game ban. But Wolves boss Nuno is expected to revert to his regular Championship team, having made eight changes for the midweek FA Cup defeat at Swansea.
Nottingham Forest are still without striker Daryl Murphy (rib). Attacker Jamie Ward is also unavailable because of injury, but centre-back Joe Worrall is back in the squad after serving a one-match suspension.
Wolves have concerns over midfielder Ruben Neves and Romain Saiss, who are both now one booking away from a two-match ban, with the next cut-off point to erase that risk still 10 matches away.
Wolves start the day 10 points clear at the top, 12 points ahead of third-placed Cardiff and 30 points better off than 15th-placed Forest. Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo told BBC WM: (On meeting Forest again four months on): "It was a good, tough game, but it was long ago. A lot of things have changed on both squads, including a new manager. I'm told he's a good manager, who will try to put his ideas on the team. Both teams now know more about each other. We have to respect the opponent but focus on ourselves, knowing that we have to go for the game." Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka told BBC Nottingham Sport: "We need to forget the opponent and, to grow, we need to think about ourselves. If we go to Wolves thinking 'they are top of the table and it is going to be impossible to win' then it is better to stay at home. And I haven't come here to stay at home. I have come here to win games and improve the team as much as possible. I am really pleased for Nuno. I have known him for a few years and he has done a great job."
prediction Home win 73% Draw 16% Away win 11%
Match facts
Nottingham Forest have not lost four consecutive league matches against Wolves since a run of five straight defeats between 1971 and 1977.
Wolves, unbeaten in six league games against Forest, are on a 13-match unbeaten league run. Only Blackburn Rovers (15) and Liverpool (14) have gone longer without a defeat within the top four tiers of English league football. Aitor Karanka has won each of his last four matches against Wolves in all competitions since losing his first in October 2014 at Molineux, as Middlesbrough boss. Diogo Jota, who scored Wolves goals in the 2-1 win at the City Ground in September, has been directly involved in 15 Championship goals for Wolves this season (11 strikes and four assists). Nottingham Forest's 4-2 FA Cup third round win against holders Arsenal is their only win in the last seven games.
Weds Jan 17th 2018 FAC 3rd Round REPLAY Swansea City 2 Wolves 1
WED 17 JAN 2018FA CUP - THIRD ROUND - REPLAY
Swansea CIty 2 J Ayew (11'), Bony (69') Wolves 1 Jota (66')
HT 1-0
bbc
Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Bony scored in either half as Premier League strugglers Swansea beat Championship leaders Wolves in their FA Cup third-round replay. Ayew opened the scoring with a dazzling individual goal, dribbling past five defenders and finishing neatly to put the hosts ahead at half-time. Wolves controlled the tie after the interval and responded with a fine solo effort of their own as Diogo Jota twisted and turned his way to an equaliser two after coming on as a substitute. But that parity lasted only three as Bony pounced on a loose ball gifted by Kortney to restore Swansea's lead. Carlos Carvalhal's side now face a trip to League Two side Notts County in the fourth round, with the game to be played on Saturday, 27 January.
Bottom of the Premier League and four points adrift of safety, Swansea's priority is trying to secure their top-flight survival. It was no surprise, therefore, to see Carvalhal make eight changes from Saturday's draw at Newcastle. But there was still ample Premier League quality in the form of their opening goal, scored by one of the three players to retain their place from the previous outing. Picking up possession outside the penalty area, Ayew surged clear of two Wolves defenders, turned and then danced his way past another three before clipping the ball delicately over goalkeeper Will Norris to score one of the best goals of the third round. Swansea seemed to ease off a little from that point, allowing Wolves to keep the ball for long periods and wrestle control of the tie, particularly when Jota drew them level. But the home side were given a reprieve when Wolves failed to clear a cross from Tom Carroll, with the ball falling invitingly for Bony, who prodded it instinctively beyond Norris to give Swansea only their third home win in all competitions this season.
Diogo Jota scored for Wolves in the second half having only just been brought off the bench
Despite being a division lower than their opponents, Wolves were made favourites for the original tie by the bookies and they justified the billing with an authoritative display at Molineux which arguably warranted more than a goalless draw. They are 10 points clear at the top of the Championship and a summer of lavish spending meant they had the strength in depth to make eight changes for this replay, with Ruben Neves - signed from Porto for nearly £16m - among those left on the bench. Jota, on loan from Atletico Madrid, was another used as a substitute and, when he did emerge, his impact was immediate. Latching on to a long ball, the Portuguese turned sharply inside the Swansea penalty area to leave Federico Fernandez on his backside before firing into the bottom corner, despite a touch from Kristoffer Nordfeldt. Their lead lasted only three and, although manager Nuno Espirito Santo may view this as a missed opportunity to claim a Premier League scalp, he and his players will be consoled by the fact they are in such a strong position to earn promotion to the top flight.
Swansea
13Nordfeldt 52Roberts 6Mawson 33Fernandez 26Naughton 14Carroll 51Mesa Sub for Ki Sung-yuengat 73' 11Narsingh Sub for Dyerat 73' 8FerBooked at 47mins 18J Ayew 2Bony Sub for Clucasat 79' Substitutes 4Ki Sung-yueng 7Britton 12Dyer 17Clucas 25Mulder 27Bartley 62McBurnie
Wolves
31Norris 25Miranda 6Batth 30Hause 2Doherty 24Gibbs-White 4N'DiayeBooked at 34mins 3DouglasBooked at 72mins 17Costa Sub for Saissat 73'Booked at 90mins 9Mir Vicente Sub for Bonatiniat 64' 26Enobakhare Sub for Jotaat 64' Substitutes 5Bennett 8Neves 13Burgoyne 16Coady 18Jota 27Saiss 33Bonatini
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
1800 WW supporters
Possession
Home55%Away45%
Shots
Home8Away8
Shots on Target
Home3Away3
Corners
Home3Away3
Fouls
Home9
Match ends, Swansea City 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
Full Time 90'+4' Second Half ends, Swansea City 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
90'+2' Attempt missed. Ki Sung-yueng (Swans) right footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. 90'+1' Hand ball by Léo Bonatini (WW). Booking 90' Romain Saiss (WW) is shown the yellow card. 87' Nathan Dyer (Swans) wins a free kick on the left wing. 87' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 84' Sam Clucas (Swans) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 84' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 84' Attempt missed. Leroy Fer (Swans) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. 83' Leroy Fer (Swans) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 83' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 80' Attempt saved. Morgan Gibbs-White (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 80' Attempt saved. Léo Bonatini (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 79' Sub, (Swans). Sam Clucas replaces Wilfried Bony. 78' Foul by Jordan Ayew (Swans). 78' Léo Bonatini (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 73' Sub, (WW) Romain Saiss replaces Hélder Costa. 73' Sub, (Swans). Ki Sung-yueng replaces Roque Mesa. 73' Sub, (Swans). Nathan Dyer replaces Luciano Narsingh. 72' Luciano Narsingh (Swans) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Booking 72' Barry Douglas (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 72' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). Goal! 69' Goal! Swansea City 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Wilfried Bony (Swans) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. 68' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a fast break. Goal!
66' Goal! Swansea City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. 65' Attempt blocked. Morgan Gibbs-White (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 64' Sub, (WW) Diogo Jota replaces Bright Enobakhare. 64'
Sub, (WW) Léo Bonatini replaces Rafa Mir. 63' Luciano Narsingh (Swans) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 63' Foul by Danny Batth (WW). 59' Federico Fernández (Swans) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 59' Foul by Rafa Mir (WW). 52' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner. 50' Luciano Narsingh (Swans) wins a free kick on the right wing. 50' Foul by Danny Batth (WW). 49' Foul by Leroy Fer (Swans). 49' Morgan Gibbs-White (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. Booking 47' Leroy Fer (Swans) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 47' Foul by Leroy Fer (Swans). 47' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Second Half
Second Half begins Swansea City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Half Time
45'+2'
First Half ends, Swansea City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Swansea Wolves
Possession 62% 38%
Shots 5 2
Shots on Target 2 0
Corners 3 3
Fouls 6 11
Half Time
45'+2' First Half ends, Swansea City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
45'+1' Federico Fernández (Swans) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 45'+1' Foul by Rafa Mir (WW). 44' Jordan Ayew (Swans) wins a free kick on the right wing. 44' Foul by Matt Doherty (WW). 44' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Federico Fernández. 44' Attempt blocked. Bright Enobakhare (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 42' Jordan Ayew (Swans) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 42' Foul by Rafa Mir (WW). 40' Attempt saved. Connor Roberts (Swans) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 39' Foul by Luciano Narsingh (Swans). 39' Morgan Gibbs-White (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 38' Roque Mesa (Swans) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 38' Foul by Bright Enobakhare (WW). 36' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Alfie Mawson. 36' Attempt blocked. Alfred N'Diaye (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. 35' Foul by Alfie Mawson (Swans). 35' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Booking 34' Alfred N'Diaye (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 33' Leroy Fer (Swans) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 33' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 32' Connor Roberts (Swans) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 32' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 29' Attempt blocked. Connor Roberts (Swans) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 28' Wilfried Bony (Swans) wins a free kick on the left wing. 28' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 27' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Kristoffer Nordfeldt. 26' Foul by Roque Mesa (Swans). 26' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 24' Attempt missed. Roque Mesa (Swans) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner following a corner. 23' Corner, (Swans). Conceded by Roderick Miranda. 20' Foul by Luciano Narsingh (Swans) 20' Danny Batth (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 20' Kyle Naughton (Swans) wins a free kick on the left wing. 20' Foul by Bright Enobakhare (WW). 18' Kyle Naughton (Swans) wins a free kick on the right wing. 18' Foul by Bright Enobakhare (WW). 17' Leroy Fer (Swans) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 17' Foul by Bright Enobakhare (WW). 13' Foul by Jordan Ayew (Swans). 13' Bright Enobakhare (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal! 11' Goal! Swansea City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Jordan Ayew (Swans) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. 10' Corner, (Swans). Conceded by Danny Batth. 9' Corner, (Swans). Conceded by Roderick Miranda. 6' Foul by Jordan Ayew (Swans). 6' Kortney Hause (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 2' Attempt blocked. Jordan Ayew (Swans) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 2' Alfie Mawson (Swans) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 2' Foul by Roderick Miranda (WW). Kick Off
First Half begins.
TEAM NEWS
Swansea will make changes to face Wolves with new manager Carlos Carvalhal making it clear that Premier League safety takes priority for his squad. Defender Mike van der Hoorn and striker Tammy Abraham (hip) are out. Wolves are 10 points clear in the Championship and have defender Danny Batth back from suspension. Ruben Vinagre remains banned after being sent off in the first tie between the sides at Molineux which ended 0-0. Boss Nuno Espirito Santo could rest Romain Saiss, Leo Bonatini and Diogo Jota. The winners of the tie will face Notts County in round four.
Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal:
"Yes, for sure, I will make changes. Our main competition is the Premier League. We respect the cup, we respect Wolves, but we need to play players who are coming back from injuries, we must see the players and give them a chance also to play, so it's natural that we will make changes on Wednesday. If you have two games in 20 days and see the players in the games, you will be more clear about the situation, of course. This is normal. We will try to see all the players and try to give all the players a chance to play and also to progress them."
Match stats
Swansea have won just one of their last 12 meetings with Wolves in all competitions (drew five, lost six), with the last three meetings all ending in draws. This is the second FA Cup match between the sides in which Swansea will host - Wolves battered the Swans 4-0 in the previous tie back in 1938. Swansea have lost three of their last four FA Cup replays in which they have been the higher ranked side (lost one), losing last time out when in League One to Non-League Havant & Waterlooville in 2008 (4-2). Wolves have been eliminated in four of their last five FA Cup replays, including each of the last three. In fact, they have not progressed away from home in an FA Cup replay since beating Oldham in the 2007 competition.
27 Barnsley 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
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Championship leaders Wolves stretched their unbeaten run in league and cup to 14 games but were held to a goalless draw at Barnsley. Helder Costa and Diogo Jota had 
the ball in the net for the visitors, only to be denied by offside flags. And Jota also struck the crossbar with a fierce second-half drive against a determined Barnsley side. Adam Hammill and Stevie Mallan had Barnsley's best efforts, but were denied by keeper John Ruddy. The draw meant Wolves' lead at the top was cut to 10 points by Derby, who won 3-0 at Birmingham City, while Barnsley remained 19th, three points clear of the relegation places. Paul Heckingbottom's Tykes have now won only once in 13 games, but a point was a satisfactory outcome and new signing Kieffer Moore was given his first run-out as a substitute after the interval. And they had a chance to snatch victory late on when George Moncur fired with a snapshot from the edge of the area. Jota carried the biggest threat for Wolves and after slotting home from Costa's cutback, only to be denied by the linesman, he thumped the woodwork following a quick break and then wasted another opportunity from Ivan Cavaleiro's cross.
Pic Mel Eves
Barnsley
1Davies 12Cavare 16Pinnock 6Lindsay 17Yiadom 22Gardner 11Isgrove sub forMoncurat 45' 14Mallan Booked at 43mins sub forThiamat 87' 20Potts 7Hammill 9Bradshaw sub forMooreat 66' Substitutes 2McCarthy 10Moncur 13Townsend 19Moore 24Pearson 26Thiam 35Brown
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 27SaissBooked at 29mins 8Neves sub forN'Diayeat 90' 3Douglas 17Costa sub forCavaleiroat 65' 33Bonatini sub forMir Vicenteat 73' 18JotaBooked at 40mins Substitutes 4N'Diaye 7Cavaleiro 9Mir Vicente 24Gibbs-White 26Enobakhare 30Hause 31Norris
Referee: Keith Stroud att 16,050 one third WW Away fans pic Steve Bagnall AMA via Tim Spiers. Geoff is galf up on the right.
Full Time
Barnsley Wolves
Possession 41% 59%
Shots 7 13
Shots on Target 2 0
Corners 1 6
Fouls 12 9
90'+4' Second Half ends, Barnsley 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
90'+2' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 90'+2' Kieffer Moore (Barnsley) wins a free kick on the left wing. 90'+1' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Rafa Mir with a cross. 90'+1' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+1' Foul by Mamadou Thiam (Barnsley). 90' sub, WW. Alfred N'Diaye replaces Rúben Neves. 88' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 88' Foul by Kieffer Moore (Barnsley). 87' sub, Barnsley. Mamadou Thiam replaces Stephen Mallan. 87' Attempt missed. Rafa Mir (WW) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a corner. 86' Corner, WW. Conceded by Dimitri Kevin Cavare. 82' Attempt missed. George Moncur (Barnsley) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Kieffer Moore. 80' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from very close range is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross. 76' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 76' Foul by Adam Hammill (Barnsley). 75' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. 75' Diogo Jota (WW) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. 74' Attempt missed. Adam Hammill (Barnsley) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. 73' sub, WW. Rafa Mir replaces Léo Bonatini. 72' Corner, WW. Conceded by Andy Yiadom. 71' Attempt blocked. Matt Doherty (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 69' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross following a corner. 68' Corner, WW. Conceded by Andy Yiadom. 66' sub, Barnsley. Kieffer Moore replaces Tom Bradshaw. 65' sub, WW. Ivan Cavaleiro replaces Hélder Costa.
64' Ryan Bennett (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 64' Foul by Tom Bradshaw (Barnsley). 61' Attempt saved. Stephen Mallan (Barnsley) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Gary Gardner. 60' Corner, WW. Conceded by Gary Gardner. 59' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 59' Foul by Dimitri Kevin Cavare (Barnsley). 57' Offside, WW. Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Hélder Costa is caught offside. 53' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 53' George Moncur (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 46' Attempt missed. Barry Douglas (WW) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left. Assisted by Hélder Costa with a cross. Second Half
Second Half begins Barnsley 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Barnsley Wolves
Possession 48% 52%
Shots 4 5
Shots on Target 1 0
Corners 1 2
Fouls 7 7
Half Time 45'+7' First Half ends, Barnsley 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
45'+6' Matt Doherty (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 45'+6' Foul by Gary Gardner (Barnsley). 45'+6' Attempt missed. Andy Yiadom (Barnsley) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Lloyd Isgrove. 45'+2' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 45'+2' Adam Hammill (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45'+1' Attempt missed. Brad Potts (Barnsley) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Adam Hammill with a cross. 45' Corner, Barnsley. Conceded by Willy Boly. 45' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 45' Tom Bradshaw (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 44' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Romain Saiss. Booking 43' Stephen Mallan (Barnsley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 42' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 42' Foul by Stephen Mallan (Barnsley). 41'Attempt missed. Ethan Pinnock (Barnsley) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Stephen Mallan with a cross following a set piece situation. Booking 40' Diogo Jota (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 40' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 40' Dimitri Kevin Cavare (Barnsley) wins a free kick on the right wing. 38' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 38' Foul by Adam Hammill (Barnsley). 34' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 34' Stephen Mallan (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 30' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 30' Foul by Dimitri Kevin Cavare (Barnsley). Booking 29' Romain Saiss (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 29' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 29' Gary Gardner (Barnsley) wins a free kick on the right wing. 29' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 29' Stephen Mallan (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 26' Matt Doherty (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 26' Dangerous play by Tom Bradshaw (Barnsley). 24' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 22' Delay in match Matt Doherty (WW) because of an injury. 21' Matt Doherty (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 21' Foul by Gary Gardner (Barnsley). 20' Corner, WW. Conceded by Dimitri Kevin Cavare. 18' Corner, WW. Conceded by Lloyd Isgrove. 17' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini (WW) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Barry Douglas. 15' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 15' Foul by Brad Potts (Barnsley). 14' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 13' Delay in match Diogo Jota (WW) because of an injury. 12' Attempt saved. Adam Hammill (Barnsley) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 11' Offside, WW. Barry Douglas tries a through ball, but Hélder Costa is caught offside. 11' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 9' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. 9' Attempt blocked. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 8' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 7' Delay in match Brad Potts (Barnsley) because of an injury. 5' Offside, WW. Barry Douglas tries a through ball, but Diogo Jota is caught offside. 1' Foul by Hélder Costa (WW). 1' Gary Gardner (Barnsley) wins a free kick on the left wing. Kick Off
First Half begins.
Barnsley could give a debut to striker Kieffer Moore after he joined from Championship rivals Ipswich on Tuesday. Midfielder Joe Williams is banned for the next three games after being sent off at Millwall in the FA Cup. Wolves defender Danny Batth serves the last game of his three-match suspension, and full-back Ruben Vinagre starts a three-game ban. Boss Nuno Espirito Sanito is likely to make changes after resting players in the FA Cup draw with Swansea.
prediction Bradfor win 16% Draw 21% Wolves win 63%
Match facts
Wolves' 3-1 win against Barnsley last season was the first time they have won at Oakwell in six visits, since 2000 - coming just three nights after their FA Cup fourth-round win over Liverpool at Anfield. The 2000-01 season was the last time Wolves completed a Football League double over the Tykes. Barnsley have won their opening league match in a calendar year in each of the last five years, winning 3-2 against Leeds United 12 months ago. Only Sunderland and Burton (8) have won fewer points in the Championship this season than Barnsley (13). Wolves defender Ryan Bennett has played more Championship games without ending on the losing side (14) than any other player this season.
Jan 6th 2018 FAC 3rd Round Wolves 0 Swansea City 0 (replay w/e 20th Jan)
FAC3 Wolves 0 Vinagre (Dismissed at 40') Swansea 0 Fer (Dismissed at 67') HT 0-0
Prior to the match there was a tribute to John Foz Hendley https://youtu.be/PIkCa7iaMSg
Premier League strugglers Swansea and Championship leaders Wolves played out a goalless draw in the FA Cup third round as both sides ended with 10 men. Wolves' Ruben Vinagre was sent off in the 40th minute for a high lunge on Swans midfielder Nathan Dyer. Swansea's Leroy Fer was also shown a straight red for a cynical trip on Helder Costa in the 67th minute. The hosts had the better chances but Swans goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt produced a string of smart saves. Carlos Carvalhal's visitors came close in the first half when Martin Olsson's free-kick from just outside the penalty area crashed back off the crossbar.
Wolves
31Norris 5Bennett 16Coady 30Hause 2Doherty 24Gibbs-WhiteSub for Douglasat 45+1'minutes 4N'Diaye 29Vinagre Booked at 40mins
17Costa 33BonatiniSub for Mir Vicenteat 77'minutes 26EnobakhareSub for Cavaleiroat 65'minutes Substitutes 3Douglas 7Cavaleiro 9Mir Vicente 13Burgoyne 25Miranda 34Goncalves 38Buur
Swansea
13Nordfeldt 52Roberts 33FernandezSub for J Ayewat 56'minutes 5van der Hoorn 27BartleyBooked at 59mins 12Dyer 8FerBooked at 67mins 35Renato SanchesSub for Carrollat 34'minutes 16Olsson 15Routledge 2BonyBooked at 69minsSub for Mesaat 75'minutes Substitutes 11Narsingh 14Carroll 18J Ayew 25Mulder 51Mesa 56Fulton 62McBurnie
Referee: Anthony Taylor Attendance: 22,976
Wolves Swansea
Possession 49% 51%
Shots 10 8
Shots on Target 6 2
Corners 4 2
Fouls 0 0
Full Time
90'+5' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Swansea City 0.
90'+1' Corner, (Swans) Conceded by Conor Coady. 85' Attempt saved. Rafa Mir (WW) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 84' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Connor Roberts. 84' Attempt blocked. Rafa Mir (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 82' Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. 81' Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 78' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Mike van der Hoorn. 77' Sub, (WW) Rafa Mir replaces Léo Bonatini. 77' Attempt missed. Roque Mesa , (Swans) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner. 75' Sub, (Swans) Roque Mesa replaces Wilfried Bony. 70' Attempt missed. Kortney Hause (WW) header from very close range is close, but misses the top right corner following a set piece situation. Booking 72' Wilfried Bony , (Swans) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Dismissal 67' Leroy Fer , (Swans) is shown the red card. 66' Attempt missed. Wilfried Bony , (Swans) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. 65' Sub, (WW) Ivan Cavaleiro replaces Bright Enobakhare. 64' Attempt missed. Leroy Fer , (Swans) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 63' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Martin Olsson. 61' Attempt saved. Wilfried Bony , (Swans) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 61' Attempt saved. Wilfried Bony , (Swans) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Booking 59' Kyle Bartley , (Swans) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 56' Attempt missed. Bright Enobakhare (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. 56' Sub, (Swans) Jordan Ayew replaces Federico Fernández. 55' Attempt missed. Wilfried Bony , (Swans) header from outside the box misses to the left.
Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Swansea City 0.
Half Time
WolvesSwansea
Possession 33% 67%
Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 3 0
Corners 1 2
Fouls
Half Time
45'+3' First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Swansea City 0.
45'+1' Sub, (WW) Barry Douglas replaces Morgan Gibbs-White. Dismissal 40' Rúben Vinagre (WW) is shown the red card. 38' Martin Olsson , (Swans) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box following a set piece situation. 37' Corner, (Swans) Conceded by Kortney Hause. 35' Attempt missed. Bright Enobakhare (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. 34' Sub, (Swans) Tom Carroll replaces Renato Sanches because of an injury. 36' Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. 25' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Connor Roberts. 24' Corner, (Swans) Conceded by Kortney Hause. 23' Attempt missed. Renato Sanches , (Swans) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner. 22' Corner, (Swans) Conceded by Kortney Hause. 13' Attempt saved. Morgan Gibbs-White (WW) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom left corner. 12' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Federico Fernández. 10' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Federico Fernández. 7' Attempt saved. Bright Enobakhare (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Kick Off First Half begins.
NEWS
Championship leaders Wolves could give a debut to 20-year-old striker Rafa Mir, who joined from Valencia for an undisclosed fee earlier this week. Swansea City goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is set to be rested and defenders Kyle Naughton (suspended) and Angel Rangel (calf) will miss out. Midfielders Leon Britton and Ki Sung-yueng also have calf injuries. England striker Tammy Abraham (hip) could also be absent, but Wilfried Bony is available after a hamstring problem.
Wolves will again be without suspended captain Danny Batth, while goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and defender Phil Ofosu-Ayeh are long-term absentees. Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal said: "Wolves are not a typical club from the Championship. In my time in the Championship, they were the best I saw. I believe they would be competitive in the Premier League. They have players who played often in the Portuguese top flight in the first . Diogo Jota was at Atletico Madrid, others have played for Benfica and Monaco so the players do not belong to the Championship. The correct place for these players is the Premier League - but I don't agree they are favourites. It is 50-50, like all the s that go from to a Championship club, as the tempo is higher, the players run more and it makes it difficult."
MATCH FACTS
This is the first meeting between these sides since April 2012, when they drew 4-4 draw at Liberty Stadium in the Premier League. Swansea have been eliminated from the FA Cup by Wolves in both previous ties against them, which both took place in the third round after they lost 4-0 in January 1938 and 5-3 in January 1957. Wolves are set to face a Premier League side for the third time in three seasons in the third round after they lost 1-0 to West Ham in January 2016 and beat Stoke 2-0 last season. This is Swansea's ninth consecutive FA Cup match - only one has had a longer run of games in the competition, with Stockport playing 11 in a row between December 1996 and February 2001.
26 Wolves 3 Neves (57'), Douglas (59'), Jota (80') Brentford 0
26 Wolves 3 Neves (57'), Douglas (59'), Jota (80') Brentford 0
HT 0-0
Runaway Championship leaders Wolves surged 12 points clear with three second-half goals to see off play-off hopefuls Brentford. After a string of first-half near misses, Wolves had to wait 57 minutes to take the lead from a superb Ruben Neves right-foot free-kick. Two minutes later, Barry Douglas belted home a right-foot stunner from Ivan Cavaleiro's low right-wing cross. Diogo Jota scrambled in a late third from a prone position on the ground.
TIm Spiers in the Star
Wolves created some good first half chances but Leo Bonatini, Diogo Jota and Helder Costa were denied by either the woodwork, a goalline clearance or inspired Bees keeper Daniel Bentley. They broke the deadlock on 58 minutes when Ruben Neves scored a superb free kick and then a minute later it was pretty much game over when Douglas scored with a thunderbolt of a right foot shot. The final half an hour was a procession and Jota added a third from close range to extend Wolves' lead to 12 points.
Analysis
With their rivals falling by the wayside – and Nuno's team just keeping on winning – it seems the only team that can stop Wolves is...well, Wolves. Their lead is now 12 points to Derby and 14 to third-placed Cardiff, writes Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers. That's a daunting gap for their rivals, whom you imagine are giving up hope of being able to catch Nuno Espirito Santo's seemingly unstoppable juggernaut. Wolves have emerged from a tricky-looking festive period – Ipswich, Millwall, Bristol City and now Brentford – with an impressive 10 points out of 12, while those around them have tripped up. Any doubts about fatigue, their foreign youngsters coping with the relentless fixture schedule or of other teams sussing Wolves out have proved completely unfounded. Wolves are steamrolling the league. They've unbeaten since October, score goals for fun (they have 50, with the next best being Derby on 41), have the league's most miserly defence, possess no obvious deficiencies and even have the luxury of strength in depth – and new signings to come (Spanish forward Rafa Mir looks to be the first this month). They now have 61 points – that's three more than last season's final total. And with the average points total of the Championship's second-placed team in the past 10 years being 87, they likely have to win only 10 of their final 20 matches to get over the finish line. Only a very brave man or a fool would bet against them now. The rate Wolves are going this could be very comfortable indeed and with Nuno's penchant for devastating efficiency and clinicalness that looks the most likely outcome.
Match report
Nuno made just one change from the team that had dramatically beaten Bristol City 2-1 on Saturday, with Ryan Bennett replacing the suspended Danny Batth. Helder Costa got the nod over Ivan Cavaleiro who remained on the bench. Brentford arrived at Molineux in great form having rocketed up the table since the teams last met, earning 33 points from 17 matches. But Wolves are in even better form and it was Nuno's team who took the game by the scruff of the neck in the first half. They could have been 5-0 up by half time. They certainly should have scored at least twice, but a combination of bad luck, dodgy finishing and brilliant performance from ex-Southend keeper Daniel Bentley meant it somehow stayed goalless. Helder Costa, anonymous at Bristol City on Saturday, looked a different player from the off as he teed up Leo Bonatini whose second minute shot struck the post. At a well stocked but fairly quiet Molineux both teams were playing some nice football. Brentford weren't shy in getting forward in good numbers but they lacked the quality in the final third to really test Wolves, aside from a Yoann Barbet header which dropped inches past the post. Otherwise it was all Wolves. Jota headed a corner goalwards but it was cleared off the line and Matt Doherty was played into the box by a gorgeous Willy Boly chip but Bentley got a strong hand to his left-footed shot. Costa then latched onto a low through ball but Bentley raced out to block his chip. And then just before half time Barry Douglas directed a cross-field ball across goal to Jota whose bullet shot from 15 yards was superbly tipped past the post by Bentley, who was proving unbeatable. The second half started in the same fashion. Bonatini showed great feet and strength to hold off a couple of challenges, but Bentley proved equal to his shot. Cavaleiro changed the game at Bristol and Nuno called for him on 53 minutes, taking off an improved and clearly disappointed Costa. The 23-year-old made an immediate impact, creating half chances for Bonatini and Doherty. And within six minutes of his introduction Wolves were 2-0 up. First Ruben Neves sent a gorgeous 20-yard free kick into the corner, finally beating Bentley for his first Molineux goal (and a third wonderful goal for the club after long-range strikes at Hull and Sheffield Wednesday). And rampant Wolves carved Brentford open to double their lead just seconds later, with Cavaleiro playing across the box where a handful of team mates were queueing up and Douglas unleashed a phenomenal right-footed right which nearly broke the net. Molineux certainly wasn't quiet now – in fact the atmosphere went through the roof as the bench celebrated wildly. Wolves' persistence had paid off.
With Brentford having given up hope the final minutes were just about a matter of how many Wolves could score. Cavaleiro had a stinging effort saved, Jota's effort was blocked and the Jota scored perhaps Wolves' scrappiest goal of the season, turning home after Brentford failed to clear a corner. The final minutes were a procession with Bright Enobakhare and then Kortney Hause coming on, the latter for his first league appearance of the season. Wolves could have put a few sozzled lads from the South Bank in defence and they'd have still won. It was that easy.
Read more at https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2018/01/02/wolves-3-brentford-0--report/#gsDiGiTRdHXPs1AI.99
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15BolyBooked at 77mins sub forHauseat 83' 2Doherty 27Saiss 8NevesBooked at 65mins 3Douglas 17Costa sub forCavaleiroat 54' 33Bonatini 18Jota sub forEnobakhareat 81' Substitutes 4N'Diaye 7Cavaleiro 24Gibbs-White 26Enobakhare 29Vinagre 30Hause 31Norris
Brentford
1Bentley 8Yennaris 33Mepham 5Bjelland 29BarbetBooked at 67mins sub forClarkeat 78' 15WoodsBooked at 56mins 12Mokotjo 47Canos sub forJozefzoonat 64' 19Sawyers 11WatkinsBooked at 22mins 21Vibe sub forMaupayat 71' Substitutes 4MacLeod 7Jozefzoon 9Maupay 10McEachran 17Camargo Hansen 20Clarke 28Daniels
Referee: Andy Madley Attendance: 28,475
Wolves Brentford
Possession 47% 53%
Shots 17 12
Shots on Target 10 0
Corners 6 7
Fouls 13 15
Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Brentford 0.
Full Time 90'+5' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Brentford 0.
90'+3' Foul by Andreas Bjelland , (Bees). 90'+3' Kortney Hause (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+3' Romaine Sawyers , (Bees) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90'+3' Foul by Kortney Hause (WW). 90'+2' Kamohelo Mokotjo , (Bees) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+2' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 90'+1'
Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) header from the right side of the six yard box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. 90' Foul by Josh Clarke , (Bees). 90' Matt Doherty (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 89' Foul by Ryan Woods , (Bees). 89' Bright Enobakhare (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 86' Attempt missed. Nico Yennaris , (Bees) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Romaine Sawyers. 84' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bright Enobakhare.
Substitution 83' Substitution, (WW) Kortney Hause replaces Willy Boly. Substitution 81' Substitution, (WW) Bright Enobakhare replaces Diogo Jota. Goal!
80' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Brentford 0. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Matt Doherty following a corner.
79' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Chris Mepham. 78' Corner, (Bees) Conceded by Romain Saiss. Substitution 78' Substitution, (Bees) Josh Clarke replaces Yoann Barbet. Booking 77' Willy Boly (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 77' Florian Jozefzoon , (Bees) wins a free kick on the right wing. 77' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 76' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Nico Yennaris. 75' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Willy Boly. 74' Foul by Andreas Bjelland , (Bees). 74' Léo Bonatini (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 73' Corner, (Bees) Conceded by Romain Saiss. 72' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt Doherty. Substitution 71' Substitution, (Bees) Neal Maupay replaces Lasse Vibe. 69' Ryan Woods , (Bees) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 68' Corner, (Bees) Conceded by Barry Douglas. 68' Foul by Romaine Sawyers , (Bees). 68' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 67' Yoann Barbet , (Bees) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 67' Foul by Matt Doherty (WW). Booking 67' Yoann Barbet , (Bees) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 66' Foul by Yoann Barbet , (Bees). 66' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 66' Attempt blocked. Florian Jozefzoon , (Bees) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked
Assisted by Nico Yennaris. Booking 65' Rúben Neves (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 65' Romaine Sawyers , (Bees) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 65' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). Substitution 64' Substitution, (Bees) Florian Jozefzoon replaces Sergi Canos. 62' Foul by Lasse Vibe , (Bees). 62' Conor Coady (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 61' Lasse Vibe , (Bees) wins a free kick on the right wing. 61' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). Goal!
59' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Brentford 0. Barry Douglas (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro.
Goal!
57'
Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Brentford 0. Rúben Neves (WW) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
(Pix Sam Bagnall WWFC )
Booking 56' Ryan Woods , (Bees) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 56' Foul by Ryan Woods , (Bees). 56' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 54' Substitution, (WW) Ivan Cavaleiro replaces Hélder Costa. 53' Sergi Canos , (Bees) wins a free kick on the right wing. 53' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 50' Foul by Andreas Bjelland , (Bees). 50' Léo Bonatini (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 49' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 47' Delay in match Nico Yennaris , (Bees) because of an injury. 47' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. 46' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Nico Yennaris. 46' Attempt saved. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Hélder Costa. Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Brentford 0.
HT Stats
Wolves Brentford
Possession 44% 56%
Shots 8 10
Shots on Target 5 0
Corners 3 4
Fouls 5 6
Half Time 45'+2' First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Brentford 0.
44' Corner, (Bees) Conceded by Romain Saiss. 44' Attempt missed. Romaine Sawyers , (Bees) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Kamohelo Mokotjo. 43' Foul by Lasse Vibe , (Bees). 43' Willy Boly (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 42' Offside, (WW) Léo Bonatini tries a through ball, but Barry Douglas is caught offside. 42' Attempt blocked. Ollie Watkins , (Bees) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Romaine Sawyers. 40' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner. 39' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Daniel Bentley. 39' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas. 35' Corner, (Bees) Conceded by Léo Bonatini. 34' Corner, (Bees) Conceded by Ryan Bennett. 34' Attempt blocked. Yoann Barbet , (Bees) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ollie Watkins with a cross. 33' Sergi Canos , (Bees) wins a free kick on the right wing. 33' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 32' Ryan Woods , (Bees) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 32' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 30' Foul by Lasse Vibe , (Bees). 30' John Ruddy (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 29' Corner, (Bees) Conceded by Rúben Neves. 29' Attempt blocked. Kamohelo Mokotjo , (Bees) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 28' Foul by Andreas Bjelland , (Bees). 28' Léo Bonatini (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 26' Attempt missed. Sergi Canos , (Bees) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Lasse Vibe. 25' Attempt blocked. Kamohelo Mokotjo , (Bees) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ollie Watkins. 23' Attempt missed. Barry Douglas (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick. Booking 22' Ollie Watkins , (Bees) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 22' Foul by Ollie Watkins , (Bees). 22' Hélder Costa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 20' Foul by Romaine Sawyers , (Bees). 20' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 20' Attempt blocked. Sergi Canos , (Bees) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Woods. 19' Foul by Ryan Woods , (Bees). 19' Léo Bonatini (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 18' Attempt missed. Yoann Barbet , (Bees) left footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick. 17' Romaine Sawyers , (Bees) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 17' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 15' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Daniel Bentley. 15' Attempt saved. Matt Doherty (WW) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Willy Boly with a through ball. 13' Attempt blocked. Lasse Vibe , (Bees) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kamohelo Mokotjo. 13' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. 12' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Chris Mepham. 9' Ryan Woods , (Bees) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 9' Foul by Hélder Costa (WW). 7' Romaine Sawyers , (Bees) wins a free kick on the left wing. 7' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 3' Attempt saved. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas. 2' Léo Bonatini (WW) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box. Assisted by Hélder Costa with a cross. 1' Attempt blocked. Sergi Canos , (Bees) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Romaine Sawyers.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Wolves defender Danny Batth is suspended after being sent off in Saturday's 2-1 win at Bristol City. Ryan Bennett came off the bench to score the winning goal and is likely to play, while Ivan Cavaleiro may start after a lively cameo at Ashton Gate. Brentford are awaiting international clearance for new Danish signing Emiliano Marcondes. Defender Henrik Dalsgaard (ankle) is a doubt, but Alan Judge is in contention after recovering from a broken leg. Bees striker Lasse Vibe will be looking to continue the form that has seen him score six goals in his last five games.
Wolves' appeal against Batth's red card at Bristol City was rejected, so he will miss league games against Brentford and Barnsley, as well as the FA Cup third-round tie against Swansea on Saturday.
Match facts
Wolves have not won consecutive home league matches against Brentford since January 1939. The Bees are winless in three league games against Wolves (D1 L2). Wolves have won 12 of their last 15 home matches in all competitions (D2 L1), the same number they managed in the 35 matches prior to this run. Lasse Vibe has scored eight goals in his last 10 away Championship starts - he scored braces in consecutive games in March, went six away starts without a goal, and has since scored braces in each of his last two away starts. Wolves have already won more home matches in all competitions this season (11) than they did in 2016-17 (10) and 2015-16 (nine). The Bees shared a goalless draw with Wolves earlier this season - they have not drawn both league matches in a season goalless against an opponent in the second tier since 1947-48 against Plymouth.
25 Bristol City Reid (53'), Fielding (Dismissed 63') 1 Wolves 2 Batth (Dismissed 14'), Douglas (66'), Bennett (90'+4)
HT 0-0
Barry Douglas goal https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/947179567839678464 by John Bray as well as Ryan Bennett’s winner here
Deano was chatting with Nathan Judah after the match
Ryan Bennett's last-gasp header gave Championship leaders Wolves victory over in-form Bristol City, in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men. Visiting captain Danny Batth was sent off on 14 minutes for a challenge on Hordur Magnusson, before Bobby Reid slotted in to put the Robins in front. Barry Douglas' free-kick then made it 1-1 after City keeper Frank Fielding was sent off for fouling Matt Doherty. Bennett won it in stoppage time to put Wolves 10 points clear of second place. The 27-year-old centre-half met Douglas' superb delivery at the far post to head beyond substitute goalkeeper Luke Steele.
The visitors had looked the more likely to go on and win the game after Douglas' equaliser, with Steele superbly denying Romain Saiss when put clear. Ivan Cavaleiro also came close to scoring a brilliant second goal for Wolves, who had boss Nuno Espirito Santo sent to the stands in the aftermath of Batth's early red card. Bristol City's best moments arguably came in the opening stages before that dismissal, with Jamie Paterson and Reid both forcing John Ruddy into smart saves. Lee Johnson's side are third after Derby's victory at Ipswich on Saturday, one point behind the Rams and six points above seventh-placed Aston Villa.
Tim Spiers view in the Star https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2017/12/30/bristol-city-1-wolves-2--report/
Bristol City
1FieldingBooked at 63mins 5Wright 4Flint 6Baker 23Magnusson sub forTaylorat 78' 8Brownhill sub forEliassonat 87' 21Pack 7Smith 3Bryan 20Paterson sub forSteeleat 65' 14Reid Substitutes 10Taylor 15Steele 18Woodrow 19Eliasson 25Kelly 26Vyner 45Leko
Wolves
21Ruddy 6BatthBooked at 14mins 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 27Saiss 8NevesBooked at 49mins 3Douglas 17Costa sub forCavaleiroat 62' 33Bonatini sub forBennettat 17' 18Jota sub forEnobakhareat 88' Substitutes 4N'Diaye 5Bennett 7Cavaleiro 24Gibbs-White 26Enobakhare 30Hause 31Norris
Referee: Peter Bankes Attendance: 25,540
Bristol City Wolves
Possession 61% 39%
Shots 13 10
Shots on Target 4 3
Corners 6 3
Fouls 11 10
Full Time 90'+5' Second Half ends, Bristol City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.
Goal! 90'+4'(Press Association Bennett’s 94th minute winner) (E&S)
Goal! Bristol City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Ryan Bennett (WW) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross
following a set piece situation. 90'+4' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 90'+3' Foul by Marlon Pack (Bristol City). 90'+2' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Barry Douglas. 90'+1' Offside, (WW) Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Bright Enobakhare is caught offside. Substitution 88' Substitution, (WW) Bright Enobakhare replaces Diogo Jota. Substitution 87' Substitution, Bristol City. Niclas Eliasson replaces Josh Brownhill. 87' Attempt missed. Matty Taylor (Bristol City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Marlon Pack. 85' Attempt missed. Josh Brownhill (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick. 84' Bobby Reid (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 84' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 82' Foul by Bailey Wright (Bristol City). 82' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 81' Attempt missed. Matty Taylor (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 81' Attempt blocked. Bobby Reid (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matty Taylor. 79' Attempt saved. Aden Flint (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Korey Smith. Substitution 78' Substitution, Bristol City. Matty Taylor replaces Hördur Bjorgvin Magnusson. 78' Marlon Pack (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the left wing. 78' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 77' Josh Brownhill (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 77' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 76' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Aden Flint. 73' Hand ball by Matt Doherty (WW). 71' Offside, Bristol City. Hördur Bjorgvin Magnusson tries a through ball, but Joe Bryan is caught offside. 70' Attempt saved. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a through ball. 69' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 67' Foul by Bailey Wright (Bristol City). 67' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 67' Attempt missed. Josh Brownhill (Bristol City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Marlon Pack. Goal! 
66' Goal! Bristol City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Barry Douglas (WW) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.(See link above for video by John Bray from which the still is taken)
Substitution 65' Substitution, Bristol City. Luke Steele replaces Jamie Paterson. Dismissal 63' Frank Fielding (Bristol City) is shown the red card.
63' Foul by Frank Fielding (Bristol City). 63' Matt Doherty (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Substitution 62' Substitution, (WW) Ivan Cavaleiro replaces Hélder Costa. 60' Attempt blocked. Joe Bryan (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Bobby Reid. Goal! 63' Goal! Bristol City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Bobby Reid (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jamie Paterson. 52' Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Ryan Bennett. 51' Bobby Reid (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the right wing. 51' Willy Boly (WW). 51' Foul by Aden Flint (Bristol City). 51' Ryan Bennett (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Booking 49' Rúben Neves (WW) is shown the yellow card. 49' Bobby Reid (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 49' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 47' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a corner. 46' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Bailey Wright. 46' Foul by Bailey Wright (Bristol City). 46' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Second Half begins Bristol City 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Bristol City Wolves
Possession 65% 35%
Shots 5 3
Shots on Target 2 0
Corners 5 1
Fouls 5 4
Half Time 45'+4' First Half ends, Bristol City 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
45'+1' Nathan Baker (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 44' Attempt missed. Nathan Baker (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Josh Brownhill with a cross following a corner. 43' Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Ryan Bennett. 43' Offside, (WW) Ryan Bennett tries a through ball, but Hélder Costa is caught offside. 43' Foul by Joe Bryan (Bristol City). 43' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 40' Attempt missed. Willy Boly (WW) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Hélder Costa with a cross following a corner. 40' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Hördur Bjorgvin Magnusson. 37' Foul by Bailey Wright (Bristol City). 37' John Ruddy (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 36' Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Barry Douglas. 33' Foul by Nathan Baker (Bristol City). 33' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 29' Attempt missed. Josh Brownhill (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Hördur Bjorgvin Magnusson with a cross. 23' Attempt missed. Marlon Pack (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a corner. 23' Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Romain Saiss. 20' Attempt missed. Matt Doherty (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation. 20' Barry Douglas (WW) hits the left post with a left footed shot from outside the box from a direct free kick. 18' Foul by Aden Flint (Bristol City). 18' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 17' Sub, (WW) Ryan Bennett replaces Léo Bonatini. 16' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 16' Delay in match Hördur Bjorgvin Magnusson (Bristol City) because of an injury. Dismissal 14' Danny Batth (WW) is shown the red card. 14' Hördur Bjorgvin Magnusson (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 14' Foul by Danny Batth (WW). 12' Aden Flint (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 12' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 10' Offside, Bristol City. Jamie Paterson tries a through ball, but Josh Brownhill is caught offside. 10' Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by John Ruddy. 9' Attempt saved. Bobby Reid (Bristol City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Hördur Bjorgvin Magnusson with a cross. 6' Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by John Ruddy. 6' Attempt saved. Jamie Paterson (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Hördur Bjorgvin Magnusson with a cross. 5' Josh Brownhill (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 5' Foul by Hélder Costa (WW). 4' Foul by Bailey Wright (Bristol City). 4' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson will assess Jamie Paterson and Nathan Baker (both hamstring) for the visit of Championship leaders Wolves. The pair were withdrawn during Tuesday's victory over Reading, which saw the Robins move up to second. Wolves may bring back top scorer Leo Bonatini after starting with him on the bench at Millwall on Boxing Day. He came on at half-time for Ivan Cavaleiro as Wolves came from 1-0 down to earn a point from a 2-2 draw. Bonatini's 12 goals, supplemented by 10 from Diogo Jota, make them the only Championship side with two players in double figures this season. Wolves will start 2018 on top of the Championship knowing that the last 12 teams to head the table on New Year's Eve have all gone on to win automatic promotion.
SAM's prediction
win 29% Draw 26% win 45%
Match facts
Since being promoted back to the second tier in 2015, Bristol City have won both their Championship meetings with Wolves. Wolves have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 league games against the Robins - the last of which was a 3-3 draw at Molineux in September. Bristol City have taken 16 points from their last 18 available in the Championship - a joint-high over the last six games, along with Leeds United.
Wolves have won more points from (26 in 12 games) than any other Championship team this season. Lee Johnson's side have netted 11 goals in the 81st minute or later this season, the best record in the Championship. The last side to fail to win promotion after being top of the Championship on New Year's Eve was Joe Royle's Ipswich Town in 2004/05.
24 Boxing Day Millwall 2 Wolves 2
24 Millwall 2 Gregory (13'), Cooper (72' Wolves Jota (45'+4),Saiss (56') H T 1-1
Millwall 1700 away fans pic MarkF
Millwall came from behind to claim a draw as Championship leaders Wolves failed to win in the capital for the third time this season. Wolves old boy Jed Wallace's fast break and pass set up Lee Gregory to put Millwall in front on 17 minutes. Recalled Helder Costa then set up Diogo Jota's first-half injury time equaliser before supplying the pull-back for Romain Saiss' 25-yard strike. But Jake Cooper levelled with a close-range header on 72 minutes. Wolves failed to deal with a far-post corner, as Shaun Hutchinson was allowed to direct a looping header back across goal and Cooper got there first to bundle in a header. Nuno Espirito Santo's pacesetters are now eight points clear at the top, having won eight times in a 10-match unbeaten run since losing to QPR at Loftus Road in late October - and they were also held to a goalless early season draw at Brentford.
Wolves had not conceded a goal in four matches prior to kick-off. But, in an entertaining Boxing Day game, chances flowed at either end and Millwall, who boast one of the best home records in the bottom half of the Championship, had already gone close before Gregory's opener. Having seen the game turned round in the space of 11 minutes either side of half-time, Neil Harris' Lions had the fight and strength of character to claw back another point on a ground where they have lost just three times in 12 matches this season. But Wolves were close to claiming all three points in the third minute of stoppage time when home keeper Jordan Archer pushed away a Barry Douglas free-kick.
Moroccan midfielder Romain Saiss's strike at The Den was only his third goal in a Wolves shirt
Millwall manager Neil Harris: "Against good teams, if you switch off you're going to get punished. We switched off about three times, probably, in 90 minutes. We gave it a right go and our second goal was well earned. I'm really pleased with a point - no one was short-changed in the crowd, that's for sure. It was an excellent game of football, end to end. In some ways David Livermore - my assistant - summed it up when he said 'that's a Millwall performance'."
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo:
"It's not an indifferent result, 2-2 against Millwall away from home. I knew that Millwall would be like they were. They've got 21 of their 27 points at home. It's a tough environment to play in. We showed a lot of character and we can be proud of ourselves. I enjoyed my first experience of playing on Boxing Day. We are professionals. We are ready to play in every game, every day."
Millwall
1Archer 2McLaughlin Booked at 33minsSub forRomeoat 52'minutes 4HutchinsonBooked at 90mins 35Cooper 3Meredith 14Wallace 23Saville 6WilliamsBooked at 20mins 22O'BrienSub forTunnicliffeat 82'minutes 19ElliottSub forMorisonat 60'minutes 9Gregory Subs 5Craig 8Thompson 10Onyedinma 12Romeo 16Martin 18Tunnicliffe 20Morison
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady Booked at 69mins 15Boly Sub forMirandaat 68'minutes 2 Doherty 27 SaissBooked at 55mins 8Neves 3Douglas 17Costa Sub forN'Diayeat 81'minutes 18Jota 7CavaleiroBooked at 7mins Sub forBonatiniat 45'minutes Subs
4N'Diaye 6Batth 25Miranda 26Enobakhare 29Vinagre 31Norris 33Bonatini
Referee: Tim Robinson Attendance: 13,121 1705 away fans
Millwall Wolves
Possession 37% 63%
Shots 11 20
Shots on Target 5 8
Corners 7 8
Fouls 10 13
Match ends, Millwall 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.
Full Time 90'+5' Second Half ends, Millwall 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.
90'+4' Attempt missed. Matt Doherty (WW) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a corner. 90'+4' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jordan Archer. 90'+4' Attempt saved. Barry Douglas (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Booking 90'+3' Shaun Hutchinson (Millwall) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 90'+2' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90'+2' Foul by Shaun Hutchinson (Millwall). 90'+1' John Ruddy (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+1' Foul by James Meredith (Millwall). 90'+1' Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Conor Coady. 90' Attempt missed. Alfred N'Diaye (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. 89' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 88' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 88' Shaun Williams (Millwall) wins a free kick on the right wing. 87' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 87' Shaun Hutchinson (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86' Foul by George Saville (Millwall). 83' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Mahlon Romeo. 82' Sub, Millwall. Ryan Tunnicliffe replaces Aiden O'Brien. 81' Offside, Millwall. Shaun Williams tries a through ball, but Jed Wallace is caught offside. 81' Sub, (WW) Alfred N'Diaye replaces Hélder Costa. Goal! 72' Goal! Millwall 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Jake Cooper (Millwall) header from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Shaun Hutchinson with a headed pass following a corner. 72' Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Ryan Bennett. 70' Attempt missed. Shaun Williams (Millwall) left footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick. Booking 69' Conor Coady (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 69' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 69' Lee Gregory (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 68' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 68' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner. 68' Sub, (WW) Roderick Miranda replaces Willy Boly because of an injury. 67' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Shaun Hutchinson. 66' Attempt saved. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 64' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 64' Shaun Hutchinson (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 62' Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Barry Douglas. 61' Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Romain Saiss. 60' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 60' Sub, Millwall. Steve Morison replaces Tom Elliott because of an injury. 59' Delay in match Tom Elliott (Millwall) because of an injury.
Goal!
56' Goal! Millwall 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Hélder Costa. Booking 55' Romain Saiss (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 55' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 55' Jed Wallace (Millwall) wins a free kick on the right wing. 54' Attempt missed. Aiden O'Brien (Millwall) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mahlon Romeo with a cross. 53' Hand ball by Diogo Jota (WW). 52' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 52' Sub, Millwall. Mahlon Romeo replaces Conor McLaughlin because of an injury. 51' Delay in match Conor McLaughlin (Millwall) because of an injury. 49' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 49' Tom Elliott (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 49' Attempt missed. Jake Cooper (Millwall) header from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by George Saville with a cross following a corner. 48' Corner, Millwall. Conceded by John Ruddy. 48' Attempt saved. Lee Gregory (Millwall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 47' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Second Half Second Half begins Millwall 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
45' Sub, (WW) Léo Bonatini replaces Ivan Cavaleiro because of an injury.
Half Time
45'+6' First Half ends, Millwall 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
45'+5' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 45'+4' Delay in match Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) because of an injury. Goal!
45'+4' Goal! Millwall 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Hélder Costa. 45'+2' Conor Coady (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45'+2' Foul by Tom Elliott (Millwall). 45'+1' Attempt missed. Jake Cooper (Millwall) header from the right side of the six yard box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Shaun Williams with a cross following a corner. 45' Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Ryan Bennett. 45' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45' Foul by James Meredith (Millwall). 43' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jake Cooper. 42' Attempt blocked. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 41' Attempt blocked. Jake Cooper (Millwall) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Shaun Williams with a cross. 41' Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Romain Saiss. 40' Hand ball by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 38' Hand ball by Ryan Bennett (WW). 37' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. 35' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 35' Foul by Jed Wallace (Millwall). 34' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 34' Conor McLaughlin (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 33' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Matt Doherty. Booking 33' Conor McLaughlin (Millwall) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 32' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 32' Foul by Conor McLaughlin (Millwall). 31' Attempt saved. Barry Douglas (WW) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Romain Saiss with a cross. 30' Conor Coady (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 30' Foul by Conor McLaughlin (Millwall). 29' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 26' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 26' George Saville (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 25' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Romain Saiss. 25'
Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rúben Neves with a through ball. 23' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left following a corner. 22' Corner, (WW) Conceded by James Meredith. Booking 20' Shaun Williams (Millwall) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 19' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 19' Foul by Shaun Williams (Millwall). 15' Attempt missed. Aiden O'Brien (Millwall) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by George Saville with a cross. Goal! 13'
Goal! Millwall 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Lee Gregory (Millwall) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jed Wallace with a through ball following a fast break. 12' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Jordan Archer. 12' Attempt saved. Matt Doherty (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rúben Neves with a through ball. 12' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 12' Foul by Shaun Hutchinson (Millwall). 10' Attempt saved. Jed Wallace (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lee Gregory. 7' Attempt saved. Jake Cooper (Millwall) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jed Wallace with a cross. Booking 7' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 6' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 6' Tom Elliott (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 5' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Shaun Hutchinson. 4' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Shaun Williams. 4' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 2' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 2' Jed Wallace (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Millwall manager Neil Harris could make changes after the quick turnaround from Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Derby. Midfielder Shaun Williams will be pushing for his first start since September after coming on as a in the past three matches and Fred Onyedinma is fit again.
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo may also rotate his squad. Ruben Vinagre. Helder Costa, Alfred N'Diaye and Bright Enobakhare are all hoping for recalls.
Match facts
Millwall are winless in five home league games against Wolves (D3 L2) since a 1-0 win in April 2002 with Steve Claridge netting the winner. Wolves haven't registered a league double over Millwall since the 1931/32 season. Wolves have won their past four Boxing Day matches since a run of one win in 14 between 1998 and 2012. Millwall have won six of their past eight home league games played on Boxing Day (D1 L1).
23 Wolves 1 Cavaleiro (40' ) Ipswich Town 0
Wolves 1 Cavaleiro (40' ) Ipswich Town 0
Beeb
Pic Sam Bagnall, AMA Sports - Cav scores
Wolves earned their first win against Ipswich Town since August 2006 as they moved seven points clear at the top of the Championship. The hosts broke the deadlock just before half-time when Ivan Cavaleiro fired low from the edge of the box. Kevin Bru almost levelled for Ipswich when his curling effort towards the far corner was saved by John Ruddy. Wolves could have made it 2-0 late on when Ruben Neves picked out Romain Saiss, but he nodded just wide. Cardiff's defeat by struggling Bolton and Bristol City's draw at QPR meant Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves gave themselves an additional three-point cushion on second place, and they are 10 points clear of third-placed Derby County. The win over Ipswich extended their unbeaten run to nine games and was their fourth consecutive clean sheet in December. The Tractor Boys, meanwhile, slipped two places to 10th in the Championship table, but they are only two points off the play-off places. And their defeat meant manager Mick McCarthy's unbeaten managerial run of 13 league games against Wolves - which goes back to his ti me at Millwall in August 1993 - came to an end. Wolves were given a scare early on when Diogo Jota, who has scored nine goals for Wanderers this season, received treatment but he was able to continue and provided the cross to set up Cavaleiro's goal.
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 27Saiss 8NevesBooked at 72mins 3Douglas 7CavaleiroSubstituted forEnobakhareat 66'
33BonatiniSubstituted forCostaat 78' 18JotaSubstituted forN'Diayeat 88' Substitutes 4N'Diaye 6Batth 17Costa 24Gibbs-White
26Enobakhare 29Vinagre 31Norris
Ipswich
33Bialkowski 12Spence 4Chambers 6WebsterBooked at 86mins 30Kenlock 16ConnollyBooked at 80mins 28BruSubstituted forBishopat 6' 18Ward 9WaghornBooked at 70minsSubstituted forMcGoldrickat 72' 11Celina 14GarnerSubstituted forSearsat 78'
Substitutes 5Smith 7Bishop 10McGoldrick 20Sears 24Crowe 37McDonnell 38Webber
Referee: David Coote Attendance: 30,218
Wolves Ipswich
Possession 64% 36%
Shots 17 5
Shots on Target 5 2
Corners 4 5
Fouls 13 13
Full Time
90'+5' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, (IT) 0.
90'+3' Corner, (IT). Conceded by Willy Boly. 90'+2' Attempt missed. Bright Enobakhare (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Alfred N'Diaye following a fast break. 90' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 90' Adam Webster (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90' Foul by Myles Kenlock (IT). 89' Offside, (WW) Ryan Bennett tries a through ball, but Alfred N'Diaye is caught offside. 88' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Rúben Neves 88' Sub, (WW) Alfred N'Diaye replaces Diogo Jota. 87' Attempt missed. Barry Douglas (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick. Booking 86' Adam Webster (IT) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 86' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 86' Foul by Adam Webster (IT). 85' Attempt missed. Callum Connolly (IT) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Grant Ward with a cross following a corner. 85' Corner, (IT). Conceded by Romain Saiss. 84' Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Rúben Neves with a through ball. 83' Matt Doherty (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 83' Foul by Myles Kenlock (IT). 81' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick. 80' Bright Enobakhare (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 80' Foul by Jordan Spence (IT). Booking 80' Callum Connolly (IT) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 80' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 80' Foul by Callum Connolly (IT). 78' Bright Enobakhare (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 78' Foul by Myles Kenlock (IT). 78' Sub, (IT). Freddie Sears replaces Joe Garner. 78' Sub, (WW) Hélder Costa replaces Léo Bonatini. 77' Corner, (IT). Conceded by Barry Douglas. 75' Offside, (WW) Diogo Jota tries a through ball, but Barry Douglas is caught offside. 74' Offside, (WW) Conor Coady tries a through ball, but Léo Bonatini is caught offside. 72' Sub, (IT). David McGoldrick replaces Martyn Waghorn. Booking 72' Rúben Neves (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 72' Bersant Celina (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Booking 70' Martyn Waghorn (IT) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 70' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 70' Foul by Martyn Waghorn (IT). 69' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69' Foul by Callum Connolly (IT). 68' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Romain Saiss. 66' Sub, (IT). Teddy Bishop replaces Kevin Bru. 66' Sub, (WW) Bright Enobakhare replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 65' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 65' Foul by Jordan Spence (IT). 62' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 62' Grant Ward (IT) wins a free kick on the right wing. 61' Attempt saved. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. 60' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. 59' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 59' Grant Ward (IT) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 59' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Romain Saiss. 58' John Ruddy (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 58' Foul by Jordan Spence (IT). 58' Attempt saved. Kevin Bru (IT) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Joe Garner. 57' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 57' Martyn Waghorn (IT) wins a free kick on the right wing. 57' Corner, (IT). Conceded by Conor Coady. 56' Attempt missed. Martyn Waghorn (IT) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Bersant Celina. 55' Offside, (IT). Kevin Bru tries a through ball, but Joe Garner is caught offside. 52' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 51' Delay in match Romain Saiss (WW) because of an injury. 50' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Luke Chambers. 50' Attempt blocked. Ryan Bennett (WW) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. 49' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Adam Webster. 49' Attempt blocked. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Diogo Jota. Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, (IT) 0.
Half time
Wolves Ipswich
Possession 66% 34%
Shots 5 2
Shots on Target 3 1
Corners 2 1
Fouls 8 3
45'+1' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 45'+1' Grant Ward (IT) wins a free kick on the right wing. 42' Corner, (IT). Conceded by Barry Douglas. 42' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 42' Myles Kenlock (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal!
40' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, (IT) 0. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. 39' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 39' Jordan Spence (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 37' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 37' Grant Ward (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 35' Attempt
missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner. 34' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Kevin Bru. 34' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Willy Boly. 31' Attempt saved. Bersant Celina (IT) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 30' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 30' Joe Garner (IT) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 27' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 27' Foul by Grant Ward (IT). 26' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assis ted by Rúben Neves. 20' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 20' Foul by Jordan Spence (IT). 16' Attempt missed. Martyn Waghorn (IT) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick. 15' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 15' Joe Garner (IT) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 10' Attempt saved. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. 9' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Bersant Celina. 8' Léo Bonatini (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 8' Foul by Jordan Spence (IT). 5' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 4' Delay in match Diogo Jota (WW) because of an injury. 1' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 1' Myles Kenlock (IT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Kick Off First Half begins. Pic of North Bank asarobison
Championship leaders Wolves may opt to continue with Ruben Vinagre at left-back if first-choice Barry Douglas fails to recover from injury. Nuno's men start the day 16 points ahead of eighth-placed Ipswich Town. Cole Skuse remains a doubt for Ipswich, so boss Mick McCarthy has recalled Adam McDonnell from loan at Aldershot Town. Skuse is one of eight midfielders injured, along with Andre Dozzell, Emyr Huws, Tom Adeyemi, Tristan Nydam, Flynn Downes, Kevin Bru and Luke Hyam. McCarthy, the Championship's longest-serving manager, faces Wolves for the eighth time since taking charge of the Tractor Boys in November 2012 - and he is yet to suffer a defeat against his old club. He led Wolves to the Premier League during his time in charge at Molineux from July 2006 and February 2012, and has an unbeaten record against them going back 13 league games to his time at Millwall in August 1993.
prediction win 79% Draw 14% win 7%
Match Facts
Wolves have not conceded a single goal before the 27th minute of a match in the Championship this season. The last five league meetings between these sides have ended as draws, the last three of which have all been 0-0. Ipswich have not lost a league match at Molineux since August 2006, winning one and drawing five since. Wolves have made a league-low 25 changes to their starting line-up this season in the Championship. Excluding own goals, more different players have scored for Wolves (14) than any other Championship side. Ipswich have lost 12 league matches in 2017, their most in a calendar year since they lost 14 times on their travels in 2007.
22 Sheffield Wednesday 0 Fox (Dismissed at 85') Wolves 1 Neves (34') FT
HT 0-1
FRI, 15 DEC 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP
Mel’s comments and more at the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/42146273?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5a3442d9e4b0eea4f6711614%26%26&ns_fee=0#post_5a3442d9e4b0eea4f6711614
Wolves have passed the 50-point marker after 22 games. Their haul of 51 points is the most they've ever had at this stage of a season in the era of three points for a win. In 2013 they were relegated with the same total! It would take a brave man to bet against Nuno Espirito Santo's men winning promotion from here.
So victory for Wolves, defeat for Sheffield Wednesday in a game of only one shot on target per side. A game of fine margins then. The difference being Ruben Neves' measured finish from 25 yards, while Joost Van Aken's header was comfortably saved by John Ruddy. But this defeat will increase the pressure on Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal who, after taking the club to the play-offs two seasons running, sees his side in the wrong half of the table and on a run of five games without a win.
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports: "I thought it was deserved but it was tough, credit to Sheffield Wednesday. We controlled the game but there is one 'but' in our game and that is choosing the right option to get another goal. Christmas is going to be a tough period with some tough games, but we'll try to fight and win.
Sheff Wed
28Wildsmith 16Palmer 12Loovens 4van Aken 6FoxBooked at 85mins 3Jones 8ButterfieldBooked at 33mins Substituted forLucas Joãoat 64'minutes 14Hooper 33Wallace 20Reach 7RhodesSubstituted forNuhiuat 64'minutes Substitutes 17Nuhiu 18Lucas João 19Matias 34Kean 36Pudil 41Abdi 46Ferrão Venâncio
Wolves
21Ruddy 5BennettBooked at 43mins 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 8NevesBooked at 82mins 27Saiss 29VinagreSubstituted forBatthat 67'minutes 7CavaleiroSubstituted forN'Diayeat 90+1'minutes 33BonatiniSubstituted forCostaat 72'minutes 18JotaBooked at 29mins Substitutes 4N'Diaye 6Batth 17Costa 24Gibbs-White 25Miranda 26Enobakhare 31Norris
Referee: Darren Bond Attendance: 23,809
Sheff Wed Wolves
Possession 51% 49%
Shots 5 9
Shots on Target 1 1
Corners 7 2
Fouls 11 12
21:42 FT: Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Wolves
Mel Eves Former Wolves forward on BBC WM "Wolves were a bit lethargic tonight but when they have been doing well they have defended all over the pitch. Teams are going to be wound-up to play Wolves because they are the big scalp. Sheffield Wednesday had a real go tonight but Wolves have managed the game well at the back. Wolves made it harder than they could have done because they didn't work hard enough."
21:38 FULL-TIME . Ruben Neves' first-half goal proves the difference and gives Wolves victory at Hillsborough.
The Championship leaders are seven points clear of second-placed Cardiff, 11 points clear of Bristol City in third and will celebrate Christmas at the top of the table.
90 + 3 mins The Owls have a free-kick deep inside their own half. Is there time for late drama? The answer is no 90 + 2 mins Helder Costa almost wriggles through for Wolves but Adam Reach is in the right place at the right time. The ball is at the wrong end of the field for Sheffield Wednesday. 90 + 1 mins Sub, Wolves look to kill some of that time by replacing Ivan Cavaleiro with midfielder Alfred N'Diaye. 90 mins Into stoppage time at Hillsborough. There will be three added minutes. 89 mins Ruben Neves tries his luck from range again for Wolves but only finds the bottom tier of the Leppings Lane stand. 88 mins Almost a game-settling second for Wolves. Diogo Jota dances away from a couple of challenges and finds Ivan Cavaleiro, who has Helder Costa in support but fires across goal and wide. 87 minutes Three minutes left plus stoppage time - what to Wednesday have left in the tank? 85 mins RED CARD - Morgan Fox Five minutes left for Wolves to hang on - and they will play it against 10 men. Helder Costa turns Morgan Fox inside out, the defender clips the winger just outside the box and trudges off to the dressing room after being shown a second yellow card. 21:28 82 mins YELLOW CARD Into the last 10 minutes now and Ruben Neves takes one for the team and clips Adam Reach at full pelt to go into the book. 80 mins Wonderful quick feet from Ruben Neves on the edge of the Owls box helps earn his side a corner but that second goal won't come as the Portuguese balloons another effort from distance well over the bar. 78 mins For all their pressure, Sheffield Wednesday are still yet to carve out a stand-out chance. Ross Wallace floats yet another cross into the Wolves box but John Ruddy comes to claim. 75 mins Wolves do nearly hit Sheffield Wednesday on the break as Ryan Bennett gallops into the box in acres of space. The defender looks to pick out a team-mate rather than shoot and the Owls are just able to clear their lines. 73 mins Sheffield Wednesday again asking questions of Wolves as Lucas Joao gets in behind the Wolves defence and pulls back a cross which Willy Boly, on the stretch, puts over his own bar. Wolves defend the corner well. 72 mins Sub, Another change for Wolves as Helder Costa comes on to replace Leo Bonatini. You would suggest that the visitors will look to hit the Owls on the break if they want a second. 69 mins
The answer is that Ryan Bennett goes to right wing back and Matt Doherty moves to the left. There's little doubt that Sheffield Wednesday are asking questions of Wolves this evening without really testing John Ruddy... yet. 67 mins Sub, Wolves react to Wednesday throwing on extra height by bringing on club captain and former Owls loanee Danny Batth in place of Ruben Vinagre. It will be interesting to see how Wolves line up from here. 65 mins The switch almost pays instant dividends as Gary Hooper gets in behind the Wolves defence but takes a heavy touch at just the wrong time. Moments later Liam Palmer swings over a cross from the right but Lucas Joao is ruled to have tugged back Ryan Bennett in the box. 64 mins Sub, A double change for the home side as they look to the bench and call upon giant forwards Atdhe Nuhiu and Lucas Joao replacing Jordan Rhodes and Jacob Butterfield. You sense they might be going direct. It comes moments after Leo Bonatini dribbles a shot narrowly wide for Wolves. 21:08 61 mins Almost a second for Wolves. Ivan Cavaleiro whips a free-kick into the box but Romain Saiss flashes a header wide. 60 mins YELLOW CARD Morgan Fox becomes the fourth player to be shown the yellow card for a clear trip on Ivan Cavaleiro in midfield. Without it the forward was running at the heart of the home defence. 59 mins There are just under 24,000 at Hillsborough this evening, the majority of which are baying for an equaliser. Will it come or will Wolves hang on for a 16th win in 22 games this season. 56 mins CLOSE! So close to an equaliser for Sheffield Wednesday. Adam Reach bursts down the left and crosses to the far post to pick out Gary Hooper. The angle is too tight to go for goal so the striker tries to pick out Ross Wallace for a tap in but Ruben Neves is on hand to clear. A timely intervention. 54 mins In a flash Wolves are on the attack and win a first corner as Morgan Fox struggles to cope with Matt Doherty's surge. Ivan Cavaleiro plays it short but at no stage is the Wednesday goal threatened. 51 mins Wolves are getting pinned back here by the home side. This is an impressive effort from an injury-hit Sheffield Wednesday side who can feel slightly unfortunate to be behind. They've dominated this game in terms of possession and territory but are behind on the only stat that counts. 48 mins A third Sheffield Wednesday corner soon follows but Wolves again stand firm. The Owls have begun the second half on the front foot and carve out an opening when an Adam Reach cross is only partially cleared but Liam Palmer slices an attempted left-foot shot from the edge of the box horribly off target. 47 mins Mel Eves Former Wolves forward on BBC WM "Sheffield Wednesday have been one of the best footballing teams that Wolves have faced this season. 46 mins Straight from kick-off Ryan Bennett concedes the first of back-to-back corners, but Wolves see off the danger. 46 mins
KICK-OFF We're back under way at Hillsborough with Sheffield Wednesday chasing an equaliser. Can they avoid a second home defeat of the season?
20:34 HALF-TIME Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Wolves
Sheff Wed Wolves
Possession 53% 47%
Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 1 Away1
Corners
Home2Away0
Fouls
Home3Away5
45 +1 mins We're into three minutes of stoppage time. 45 mins Nothing comes from the free-kick but Leo Bonatini gifts the Owls a corner. Wolves get it partially clear but when the ball comes back into the box John Ruddy races from his goal, misses his punch but Jordan Rhodes can only scuff a shot wide. 43 mins YELLOW CARD
There's a little feud going on here between Ryan Bennett and Jordan Rhodes and the Wolves defender goes in the book for a shove on the Sheffield Wednesday forward while they're both on the floor. The pair clash again moments later and the Owls have a free-kick in a dangerous position. 40 mins The confidence is starting to ooze into these Wolves players now, as emphasised by Willie Boly playing a one-two with Ruben Vinagre and ambling forward into midfield. We've seen nothing of Sheffield Wednesday since the goal. 36 mins Wolves go on the attack again by hitting the home side on the break. There's real danger as Diogo Jota bursts forward but Leo Bonatini steps offside at the crucial moment. Wednesday can breath again.
34 mins GOAL Ruben Neves Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Wolves
From the resulting free-kick it's the leaders who hit the front. Sheffield Wednesday can't properly clear Ivan Cavaleiro's free-kick and Ruben Neves, the Championship's most expensive player, shows his quality and passes the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards. A lovely, measured finish.
33 mins YELLOW CARD Owls midfielder Jacob Butterfield now goes in the book for a foul on Ivan Cavaleiro. That looked a little harsh. 32 mins
Sheffield Wednesday are dominating the game in terms of territory and aren't letting Wolves settle. Their pressing has been impressive.29 mins YELLOW CARD In fact it's Diogo Jota who gets a first - and deserved - yellow card of the game for taking out Liam Palmer. Jota was angry that the Owls hadn't put the ball out so Leo Bonatini could get treatment but shouldn't have taken matters into his own hands. 27 mins Diogo Jota has become a marked man for Wolves this season for his nine goals and four assists, and opposition players have been sent off for fouls on the Portuguese forward in Wolves' last two games. Will lightning strike three times? 24 mins But there is the threat of Wolves on the counter attack. Matt Doherty bursts forward on to Ivan Cavaleiro's pass and crosses for Diogo Jota, who brings the ball down on his chest but can't get his shot away before he is crowded out. 23 mins Things starting to happen for Sheffield Wednesday as Adam Reach swings a cross in from the right and Joost Van Aken sees a header saved down to his right by Wolves keeper John Ruddy. The Owls are on the front foot at the moment. 21 mins First real chance of the game falls to Sheffield Wednesday - and goes begging! Gary Hooper flicks on Liam Palmer's cross, Jordan Rhodes chests it into the path of Adam Reach but the winger side foots a bouncing ball wide from the edge of the box. 19 mins Nice footwork there from first Ivan Cavaleiro and then Leo Bonatini as Wolves work their way into the box. Bonatini gets to the byline but his cross hits Joost Van Aken and bounces into the gloves of Joe Wildsmith. Danger averted. 15 mins Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal must be pretty happy with what he's seen so far from his team from up in the stands as he serves a touchline ban. They've been solid and passed the ball well - but they're yet to fashion an opportunity. 13 mins First hint of an opening for Wolves. Diogo Jota gets fouled twice in the space of seconds, but the referee plays advantage as the ball falls for Ivan Cavaleiro, who drills a right foot shot wide of goal from 20 yards. 12 mins It looks like a chilly night in South Yorkshire, Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo's attire is anything to go by. Mind you, when it comes to attire, Willy Boly is sporting the short sleeve and gloves combo. I just cannot get my head around that. Neither keeper tested yet. 9 mins
Great defending from Ruben Vinagre. Liam Palmer looks to surge past the teenage defender but he gets his body between Palmer and the ball and sees the ball out for a goal kick. Sheffield Wednesday are, you sense, just starting to crank up the pressure here as a cross just drifts beyond Jordan Rhodes. 7 mins Jordan Rhodes is asked to chase a big punt forward into the corner by the Owls, but Willy Boly - a beast of a defender - gets across to shepherd the ball out of play. No chances for either side yet. 4 mins You get the feeling the records could keep on tumbling for Wolves this season. A victory and clean sheet tonight would mean a club-record four away league matches without letting in a goal. One for keeper John Ruddy to be proud of as much as anyone else. 2 mins Wolves are straight on the front foot, with Ivan Cavaleiro and Matt Doherty probing down the right. The Sheffield Wednesday defence is able to cut out a couple of crosses, but it's a positive start for the visitors. 1 min Mel Eves Former Wolves forward on BBC WM "Sheffield Wednesday are expected to perform in front of their own fans, unlike Sunderland last Saturday. The pressure is on them and the onus is on Wolves to frustrate the home side and gradually come into the game. The worst thing they can do is they give the home fans something to shout about."
0 mins KICK-OFF Wolves get us under way, attacking the Kop end of Hillsborough in the first half.
The teams are out at Hillsborough. Kick off is moments away as 'Hi ho Sheffield Wednesday/Wolverhampton'* booms around the ground.
Hillsborough is the venue for this evening's Championship match in which a win for Wolves will guarantee them top spot for Christmas.
It's also been a pretty happy hunting ground in recent times for the Molineux men...
It's quite a compelling stat and unfortunately won't make Sheffield Wednesday fans any more confident of stopping the Championship leaders tonight. Wolves have won eight and drawn nine of their previous 18 trips to Hillsborough in all competitions - their only defeat there since 1964 was a 4-1 tonking in December 2015. Wolves could have been targeting their eighth successive victory tonight - if 10-man Sunderland hadn't held them to a goalless draw last Saturday. Despite failing to extend their winning run, Nuno Espirito Santo's men start tonight eight points clear of third-placed Bristol City and four points ahead of second-placed Cardiff. Only two teams in the top four tiers of English football have scored more league goals than Wolves' 41: Manchester City (48) and Luton Town (49).
Owls
A hangover from last season's play-off semi-final defeat, or just a poor start to the season? Either way, results have been mixed for Sheffield Wednesday, and Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Norwich extended the Owls' winless streak to five league games. They are now 15th, 10 points adrift of the seventh place having won six, lost six and drawn nine this term. Carlos Carvalhal's side finished fourth last season - but lost on penalties to Huddersfield in the play-off semi-final. But Wolves' best run of successive victories in modern times came under Kenny Jackett in 2014, when they managed nine straight League One wins on their way to winning promotion.
There will be a notable absentee from the technical area tonight, as Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal serves his one-game touchline ban. Carvalhal was dismissed from the 2-2 draw with Hull on 2 December and fined £3,000 after reacting angrily when the referee turned down appeals for a penalty for a handball in the Hull box.
No Douglas for Wolves Wolves will be forced into at least one change this evening, with left wing back Barry Douglas ruled out with a knock picked up against Sunderland last weekend.
But who replaces the Scot? Here's tonight's team news. It's Portuguese teenager Ruben Vinagre who gets the nod to replace Barry Douglas in the only change to a settled Wolves line-up. There's a place on the bench for the first time under Nuno Espirito Santo for another teenager Morgan Gibbs-White, who was part of England Under-17's World Cup-winning squad. Wolves: Ruddy; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Saiss, Vinagre; Cavaleiro, Bonatini, Jota. Subs: Norris, Batth, Miranda, N'Diaye, Gibbs-White, Costa, Enobakhare.
Two changes for injury-hit Owls It's fair to say Sheffield Wednesday are injury-hit tonight as they're without nine players with 920 appearances for the club. There's two changes to the side that lost at Norwich last Saturday, with Joe Wildsmith replacing Keiren Westwood in goal and Jacob Butterfield in for Barry Bannan in midfield. Both Westwood and Bannan are among the injured nine. Sheff Wed: Wildsmith; Palmer, Loovens, Van Aken, Fox; Wallace, Butterfield, Jones, Reach; Rhodes, Hooper. Subs: Kean, Nuhiu, Joao, Matias, Pudil, Abdi, Vanancio
"There was an unbelievable penalty. The defender acted like a goalkeeper - it is very clear," he said after the game.
This isn't Carvalhal's first touchline ban of the season: the Owls boss missed two matches and was fined £4,000 after clashing with Bolton Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson in the second round of the Carabao Cup in August.
21 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Sunderland 0 Cattermole (Dismissed at 62')
Wolves Women opened a new exhibit in the Wolves Museum. At half time two long-standing members of the club Captain Anna Price and Amber Quick, as well as being long term friends of London Wolves, were honoured on the pitch
Championship leaders Wolves were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Sunderland. The hosts went into the game after six successive victories, but Leo Bonatini's missed effort was as close as they came in the opening 45 m. The Black Cats were reduced to 10 men when Lee Cattermole was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in as many m. Wolves pushed on for a winner but had to settle for a point.
Despite failing to extend their winning run, Nuno Espirito Santo's men are now eight points clear of third-placed Bristol City. It seemed likely that they would go on to claim a seventh straight win when Black Cats midfielder Cattermole picked up a second yellow for a poor challenge on forward Diogo Jota. However, both Ruben Neves and Ivan Cavaleiro were unable to make the most of chances as Sunderland held on for a vital point. Chris Coleman's men remain in the relegation zone but are now just one point behind 20th-placed Bolton.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo:
"It is disappointing because it is not the result we wanted but frustration, no, it is part of football. Victories are hard to achieve and we work hard to achieve that. The boys did everything. They kept trying. There was only one team looking for the three points. But I am not not frustrated and I' conscious games like this will happen again and we have to find solutions. I' not worried about the game plans of opponents."
Sunderland boss Chris Coleman:
"I told the players there were two things they could do, duck it or face it. I wouldn't advise ducking it because, even if you don't get what you want, at least you have a bit of peace of mind if you face the challenge. After last week where everything's going right and then we have a man sent off and end up losing 3-1 you could easily come here and crumble but we didn't do that. We have eight or nine players unavailable but it's about the boys who are available, ready and standing up for themselves and that's what they did."
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 27Saiss sub for N'Diaye at 68' 8Neves 3DouglasBooked at 65 sub for Costa at 75' 7Cavaleiro 33Bonatini 18Jota Substitutes 4N'Diaye 6Batth 17Costa 19Price 26Enobakhare 29Vinagre 31Norris
Sunderland
25Ruiter 22Love sub for Gallowayat 80' 18BrowningBooked at 80 16O'Shea 36WilsonBooked at 51 21Matthews 27Gooch sub for Embletonat 90+1' 6CattermoleBooked at 62 24Gibson 26HoneymanBooked at 63 11Grabban sub for Vaughanat 84' Substitutes 1Steele 9Vaughan 15Galloway 19McGeady 29Asoro 31Beadling 40Embleton
Referee: Jeremy Simpson Attendance: 28,488 (1,447 away)
Tremendous efforts by Wolves staff got the stadium ready - you can see the snow in Mark F’s picture
Wolves Sunderland
Possession 72% 28%
Shots 23 1
Shots on Target 4 1
Corners 8 2
Fouls 11 14
Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Sunderland 0.
Full Time 90'+6' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Sunderland 0.
90'+3' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 90'+3' John O'Shea (S) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+3' Corner, (WW). Conceded by George Honeyman. 90'+2' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 90'+2' James Vaughan (S) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+1' Sub, (S) Elliot Embleton replaces Lynden Gooch. 90' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. 89' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 87' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 87' Attempt blocked. Willy Boly (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alfred N'Diaye. 87' Attempt blocked. Hélder Costa (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 85' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 84' Sub, (S) James Vaughan replaces Lewis Grabban. 82' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 82' George Honeyman (S) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 81' Attempt saved. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. Booking 80' Tyias Browning (S) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 80' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 80' Foul by Tyias Browning (S). 80' Sub, (S) Brendan Gallo replaces Donald Love because of an injury. 79' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 77' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 75' Sub, (WW). Hélder Costa replaces Barry Douglas. 75' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 75' Lewis Grabban (S) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 73' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 68' Sub, (WW). Alfred N'Diaye replaces Romain Saiss. 66' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 66' Lewis Grabban (S) wins a free kick on the right wing. Booking 65' Barry Douglas (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 65' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 65' Lynden Gooch (S) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 64' Attempt blocked. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 64' Delay over. They are ready to continue. Booking 63' George Honeyman (S) is shown the yellow card. 63' Delay in match Diogo Jota (WW) because of an injury. Dismissal 62' Second yellow card to Lee Cattermole (S) for a bad foul. 62' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 62' Foul by Lee Cattermole (S). Booking 61' Lee Cattermole (S) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 61' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 61' Foul by Lee Cattermole (S). 58' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Marc Wilson. 57' Attempt saved. Lewis Grabban (S) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Darron Gibson. 56' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 56' Foul by Lynden Gooch (S). 54' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 54' Foul by Darron Gibson (S). 53' Attempt blocked. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Romain Saiss. Booking 51' Marc Wilson (S) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 51' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 51' Foul by Marc Wilson (S). 49' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Romain Saiss. 49' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left following a set piece situation. 49' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 49' Foul by Tyias Browning (S). 48' Corner, (WW). Conceded by John O'Shea. 47' Attempt blocked. Barry Douglas (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 47' Léo Bonatini (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 47' Foul by Lee Cattermole (S). Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Sunderland 0.
Half Time
Wolves Sunderland
Possession 64% 36%
Shots 8 0
Shots on Target 0 0
Corners 5 2
Fouls 5 6
45'+2' First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Sunderland 0.
45'+1' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. 45' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 43' John Ruddy (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 43' Foul by Lewis Grabban (S). 43' Corner Sunderland. Conceded by Romain Saiss. 42' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 42' Donald Love (S) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 41' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Lee Cattermole. 40' Offside, (WW). Léo Bonatini tries a through ball, but Barry Douglas is caught offside. 38' Corner Sunderland. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 35' Attempt blocked. Ryan Bennett (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Willy Boly. 35' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Adam Matthews. 34' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 34' Foul by Donald Love (S). 33' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 33' Lynden Gooch (S) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 33' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 32' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 29' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 29' George Honeyman (S) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 24' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 24' Lynden Gooch (S) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 23' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Lee Cattermole. 22' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Darron Gibson. 21' Foul by Matt Doherty (WW). 21' George Honeyman (S) wins a free kick on the left wing. 14' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 8' Hand ball by Lee Cattermole (S). 7' Foul by Lynden Gooch (S). 7' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 6' Foul by Lee Cattermole (S). 6' Rúben Neves (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 5' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 4' Attempt blocked. Barry Douglas (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 3' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Marc Wilson. 3' Foul by Donald Love (S). 2' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. Kick Off First Half begins.
Championship leaders Wolves have record signing Ruben Neves available for the visit of Sunderland. The Portugal midfielder sat out Monday's 1-0 win over Birmingham City after picking up his fifth booking of the season.
Sunderland are without for ward Callum McManaman following his sending off in the Black Cats' defeat by Reading. Bryan Oviedo (hamstring) and Paddy McNair (groin) are new absences, while Dider Ndong and Billy Jones remain out.
prediction win 73% Draw 17% win 10%
Match facts
Wolves have only lost one of their last 12 league games against Sunderland - a 1-0 defeat in February 1998. But Sunderland are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Wolves outside the top flight. Leo Bonatini has had a hand in at least one goal in all 10 of his Championship matches this season (eight goals, four assists). Lewis Grabban has scored eight goals in his last eight league matches - more than the seven he scored in his previous 55 league appearances (including play-offs). Of Wolves' overall total of 41 goals, they have found the net 20 times in the first half of Championship matches this season, more than any other side. Sunderland have not won back to back league matches since May 2014, when they beat Chelsea and Manchester United in the Premier League.
20 Birmingham CIty 0 Wolves 1 Bonatini (8')
Dean (Dismissed at 83')
HT 0-1
The Brazilian netted his 12th goal of the season in the eighth minute – a rebound after Ivan Cavaleiro and Diogo Jota had both been denied.
Wolves created further opportunities with Jota and substitute Helder Costa going close. Pic Nathan Judah E&S 
Blues never really threatened to equalise and after Harley Dean was sent off for pushing Jota Wolves comfortably saw the game out.
Analysis
For a while this resembled anything but a West Midlands derby. Wolves produced in patches the kind of football rarely seen in these parts, with silky, sumptuous play that had Blues surely fearing a heavy defeat, writes Tim Spiers at St Andrew's.
The second half was much more familiar – rugged tackles, a tight 45 minutes of few chances, a boisterous atmosphere and a red card – and still Wolves came out of top. They've come through some stern tests this season and despite the fact Blues couldn't muster a single shot on target this was another one. Nuno Espirito Santo's team were beautiful to watch at times in the first 45 minutes but the second half was a different story and they had to grind this one out. Despite a couple of relatively minor scares they did so with relative ease, particularly after Harley Dean's red card, with John Ruddy remaining untested behind an impenetrable defence that has conceded only two goals in six matches. A sold-out away end lapped it up as they witnessed, not for the first time, their team produce a victory that had all the hallmarks of a promotion winner – playing below their best and winning.
Match report
Alfred N'Diaye got the nod over Jack Price to replace the suspended Ruben Neves in the only change from the team that beat Bolton 5-1 last weekend. Blues were unchanged, meaning ex-Wolves midfielder David Davis was on the bench after recovering from a knee injury where he was joined by Stephen Gleeson. There were 28 points between the sides at the start of play and it certainly showed during a dominant first half performance from Wolves. They began on the front foot, striking fear into the Blues defence with some sumptuous movement particularly from Diogo Jota, Ivan Cavaleiro and Leo Bonatini. It only took them eight minutes to break the deadlock when Bonatini fired his 12th goal of the season over the line – well, just over the line – with Blues keeper David Stockdale producing an admirable effort to deny him after saving first from Cavaleiro and then from Jota. Blues' only tactics in the early stages appeared to be 'kick Jota' (you wouldn't have been surprised to read that in big red letters on the home tactics board) and Marc Roberts was very fortunate to avoid a red card for a horrendous tackle from behind right in front of the Wolves bench. Nuno and his staff were understandably livid but Roberts, who had caught Jota off the ball a few minutes earlier, escaped with a yellow. Thereafter Wolves' only negative in the first half was the fact they only scored one goal. Cavaleiro was picking up where he'd left off against Bolton and tested Stockdale from 18 yards before firing over from long range, while the rampaging Matt Doherty almost picked out Bonatini with a low cross. The home supporters soon grew agitated with what was a very evident gulf in class and the Blues team responded with fear, regularly giving the ball away. Indeed the biggest difference between the sides was how they kept possession. Wolves played like a smooth ride in a Rolls Royce with heated seats and a cup holder – Blues were a clapped out Robin Reliant with a dodgy exhaust and a radio stuck on Country Music FM. Everything was going wrong for Blues, who were booed off at half time. Even the PA system failed to work during the break. There was a notable improvement at the start of the second half from the hosts who, with the introduction of Gleeson, began to keep possession albeit without threatening the Wolves goal in what was a very flat 15 minutes. Bonatini teed up Jota in a rare Wolves attack and then Helder Costa was introduced in place of Cavaleiro as Nuno tried to get his team going again. Blues' fans tried to do that with their team, raising the noise volume tenfold after what had been a deathly quiet opening hour other than boos and howls of frustration. The action on the pitch was minimal in what had descended into a scrappy contest – and then minutes after his introduction Costa should have doubled Wolves' lead but tried to drift past keeper Stockdale instead of shooting and the keeper blocked. N'Diaye was then perhaps lucky to stay on the field after an altercation where he appeared to push his forehead towards Kieftenbeld, but the referee gave a booking. Wolves had created the half's only two chances but Nuno won't have been happy with their performance – they were sluggish and slow and offering a way back into the game for Blues.
Better teams would have punished them but Blues, despite a bit of rabble rousing from what was now a fired-up crowd and team, still only offered crosses and set pieces as a threat.
Nuno looked to get a grip in the form of Jack Price, who replaced Bonatini with 15 minutes to go, with N'Diaye moving up front, and Price did what fellow Compton Park academy graduate Gleeson had done earlier, adding calmness and poise to his team's midfield.
Wolves were beginning to look assured again – and Harley Dean's red card for foolishly interrupting another Jota/Roberts flashpoint by pushing the Wolves man to the floor – ensured it was a comfortable final few minutes as Nuno's team made it six wins in a row.
Read more at https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2017/12/04/birmingham-city-0-wolves-1--report/#Pfr5Z8uReL9IExiu.99
"The boys have dug in, it's a massive, massive victory for us tonight," Wolves skipper Conor Coady tells Sky Sports. On the 10-point gap between Wolves and third-placed Bristol City: "It's big, but all we've done at the minute is a platform for where we want to be.
"We just want to keep no winning, keep on getting better and we hope we can score a lot more goals."
Teams
Birmingham
13Stockdale 4Roberts Booked at 12mins 28Morrison Booked at 83mins 12Dean Booked at 83mins 2Nsue 6Kieftenbeld 17Ndoye Sub
Davis at 80' 3Grounds 20Boga 10Jutkiewicz Sub Adams at 68' 27Jota Sub Gleeson at 45' Substitutes 14Adams 18Gallagher 19Maghoma 23Cotterill 26Davis 39Trueman 50Gleeson
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 27Saiss Sub Enobakhare at 80' 4N'Diaye Booked at 67mins 3Douglas 7Cavaleiro Sub Costa at 61' 33Bonatini Sub Price at 75' 18Jota Booked at 83mins Substitutes 6Batth 17Costa 19Price 25Miranda 26Enobakhare 29Vinagre 31Norris
Referee: Simon Hooper Attendance: 19,641
Birmingham Wolves
Possession 44% 56%
Shots 5 9
Shots on Target 0 5
Corners 3 1
Fouls 13 8
Match ends, Birmingham City 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
Full Time 90'+5' Second Half ends, Birmingham City 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
90'+5' Attempt blocked. Stephen Gleeson (BC) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Che Adams. 90'+3' Attempt missed. Che Adams (BC) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nsue with a cross.90' Foul by Hélder Costa , (WW). 90' David Davis (BC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 89' Hélder Costa , (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 89' Foul by Che Adams (BC). Dismissal 83' Second yellow card to Harlee Dean (BC). Booking 83' Diogo Jota , (WW) is shown the yellow card. Booking 83' Michael Morrison (BC) is shown the yellow card. 82' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 82' Foul by Michael Morrison (BC). 80' Sub, (WW) Bright Enobakhare replaces Romain Saiss because of an injury. 80' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 80' Sub, (BC) David Davis replaces Cheikh Ndoye. 79' Delay in match Maikel Kieftenbeld (BC) because of an injury. Booking 77' Harlee Dean (BC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 77' Alfred N'Diaye , (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 77' Foul by Harlee Dean (BC). 77' Barry Douglas , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 77' Foul by Nsue (BC). 75' Sub, (WW) Jack Price replaces Léo Bonatini. 74' Corner, (BC) Conceded by Barry Douglas. 71' Corner, (BC) Conceded by Matt Doherty. 71' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). 71' Stephen Gleeson (BC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 71' Attempt blocked. Cheikh Ndoye (BC) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nsue with a cross. 69' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota , (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hélder Costa. 68' Sub, (BC) Che Adams replaces Lukas Jutkiewicz.Booking 67' Alfred N'Diaye , (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 65' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye , (WW). 65' Maikel Kieftenbeld (BC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 65' Foul by Willy Boly , (WW). 64' Lukas Jutkiewicz (BC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 63' Hélder Costa , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 63' Foul by Harlee Dean (BC). 61' Léo Bonatini , (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 61' Foul by Stephen Gleeson (BC). 61' Sub, (WW) Hélder Costa replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 60' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota , (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 55' Barry Douglas , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 55' Foul by Nsue , (BC). 51' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Maikel Kieftenbeld. 49' Attempt blocked. Lukas Jutkiewicz , (BC) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Stephen Gleeson. 48' Barry Douglas , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 48' Foul by Nsue , (BC).
Second Half begins Birmingham City 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
45' Sub, (BC) Stephen Gleeson replaces Jota.
HT 0-1
Birmingham Wolves
Possession 40% 60%
Shots 2 7
Shots on Target 0 5
Corners 1 0
Fouls 5 3
Half Time
Pic Rex Features BBC 
45'+2' First Half ends, Birmingham City 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
45'+1' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 45'+1' Lukas Jutkiewicz (BC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 45' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 45' Jeremie Boga (BC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 44' Attempt missed. Cheikh Ndoye (BC) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nsue with a cross. 43' Barry Douglas (WW)wins a free kick on the left wing. 43' Foul by Nsue (BC).39' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW)wins a free kick in the defensive half. 39' Foul by Harlee Dean (BC). 37' Attempt missed. Harlee Dean (BC) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marc Roberts. 36' Corner, (BC) Conceded by Alfred N'Diaye. 35' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW)right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Léo Bonatini.
30' Birmingham Wolves
Possession 41% 59%
Shots 0 6
30' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW)right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. 28' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 28' Harlee Dean (BC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 23' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW)left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 21' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW)right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. 14' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 14' Jeremie Boga (BC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 13' Offside, (WW). Willy Boly tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside. Booking 12' Marc Roberts (BC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 11' Diogo Jota (WW)wins a free kick in the defensive half. 11' Foul by Marc Roberts (BC). 10' Ryan Bennett (WW)wins a free kick in the defensive half. 10' Foul by Jeremie Boga (BC).
Goal!
8' Goal! Birmingham City 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Léo Bonatini (WW)right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner.
8' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (WW)right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the top left corner. 8' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW)left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 5' Diogo Jota (WW)wins a free kick on the left wing. 5' Foul by Marc Roberts (BC).
Kick Off First Half begins.
Birmingham City have the option of bringing back fit-again Wolves old boy David Davis for the visit of the Championship leaders to St Andrew's. Fellow midfielders Stephen Gleeson and Craig Gardner are also available, while on-loan Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson is back in training after a dislocated shoulder on his debut in August. Wolves go in search of a sixth straight win without record signing Ruben Neves.
He collected his fifth booking of the season in the 5-1 win over Bolton.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo got involved in a touchline confrontation with opposite number Phil Parkinson - and both are now up on a Football Association charge. Birmingham have twice faced the Championship leaders this season - and have won both games, 2-1 against Bristol City under Harry Redknapp in August and 1-0 against Cardiff City in October, in Steve Cotterill's first game in charge.
Wolves won 3-1 on their last visit to St Andrew's in August 2016 - but Blues won the return at Molineux
Birmingham City manager Steve Cotterill told BBC WM:
"I'm comfortable with any system. A lot of it is just talk. It's about what suits the players, not what the coach wants to do. There's lot of plus of plusses in the 3-5-2 system we played at Sheffield United last weekend, but there are also pitfalls and I do know the pitfalls. Wolves have brought in a few players that were perhaps already used to that system. If you look where he's acquired players from, they would have been pretty au fait with that system. I don't think it would have taken as much coaching for him to have done what he's done, in recruiting for that system, as opposed to changing from a conventional back four, or 4-3-3, or whatever. I don't mean to take any credit away from him for that but it's easier when you recruit for a specific system if you already have a picture in your mind of how that system would work."
Wolves head coach Nuno told BBC WM:
"It is a derby. We cannot forget that. Derbies are different. They are special games. We look at Birmingham as a tough team. I have been involved in many derby games. And taking care of your emotions during the game is the most important thing. We still have a long way to go. It is not done yet. It is important that we do not lose our focus. Of course we are confident. What gives you confidence is the way you work."
Match facts
Birmingham City are still the lowest scorers in the EFL this season, having netted just 10 times in 19 matches. They have scored three times in eight games since Steve Cotterill took over as boss.
Wolves are comfortably the top scorers in the Championship (40), having fired in nine goals in their last two Championship games - more than their opponents have managed in the last 17.
Blues have lost three of their last four home league games against Wolves, who have not won three in a row at St Andrew's since a run of six straight wins in Small Heath between 1957 and 1963. Wolves have won their last five Championship matches by a margin of two or more goals - the last Championship side to win six in a row by this margin of victory were Reading in December 2005 (eight in a row) on their way to winning the division that season. Birmingham have failed to score more than twice in a league game in their last 52 attempts since beating Rotherham 4-2 at home in October 2016, having scoring just 36 goals in that time. Gianfranco Zola won only two of his 24 matches in charge of Blues last season - but one of them was with 10 men against Wolves at Molineux when the two sides last met in February - and David Davis got what proved to be the winning goal.
19 Wolves 5 Boly (13' ), Bonatini (25' ), Cavaleiro (62' pen, 82' ), Jota (87' ) Bolton 1 Buckley (74' )
HT 2-0
Wolves stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to seven points as they comfortably beat lowly Bolton. Defender Willy Boly's header into the bottom left corner from a Barry Douglas inswinging corner set the hosts on the way to their fifth straight win. Top scorer Leo Bonatini headed a second for a 2-0 half-time lead before Ivan Cavaleiro's 62nd-minute penalty. Bolton's Will Buckley got one back but Cavaleiro's second and a clinching fifth for Diogo Jota wrapped it up. Wolves' best home win of the season, surpassing Tuesday's 4-1 win over Leeds, sent Bolton to the bottom of the Championship table, thanks to rejuvenated Sunderland's victory at Burton Albion.
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 27Saiss 8NevesBooked at 64mins 3Douglas sub for Vinagreat 89' 7Cavaleiro sub for N'Diayeat 85'
33Bonatini sub for Costaat 72' 18JotaBooked at 58mins Substitutes 4N'Diaye 6Batth 17Costa 19Price 26Enobakhare 29Vinagre 31Norris
Bolton
13Alnwick 2Little 31WheaterBooked at 43mins 5Beevers 15Robinson 21Pratley sub for Le Fondreat 78' 24Henry 10AmeobiBooked at 45mins sub for Nooneat 63' 6Vela 20Armstrong sub for Buckleyat 63' 14Madine Substitutes 9Le Fondre 11Buckley 12Noone 16Cullen 23Darby 32Burke 33Howard
Referee: Keith Stroud Attendance: 27,894 (away 827)
Wolves Bolton
Possession 62% 38%
Shots 15 11
Shots on Target 8 5
Corners 7 4
Fouls 17 12
Full Time 90'+4' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 5, Bolton Wanderers 1. 90'+2' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Romain Saiss. 90' Attempt saved. William Buckley (BW) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal. 90' Attempt blocked. William Buckley (BW) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gary Madine. 89' Sub, (WW) Rúben Vinagre replaces Barry Douglas. 88' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Hélder Costa with a cross. Goal!
87' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 5, Bolton Wanderers 1. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by John Ruddy following a fast break. 86' Corner, (BW) Conceded by John Ruddy. 86' Attempt saved. Craig Noone (BW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. 86' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). 86' Gary Madine (BW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 85' Sub, (WW) Alfred N'Diaye replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 84' Willy Boly (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 84' Foul by Craig Noone (BW). 84' Corner, (BW) Conceded by Matt Doherty. 83' Corner, (BW) Conceded by Conor Coady. Goal!
82' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, Bolton Wanderers 1. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Hélder Costa. 80' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 80' Foul by Josh Vela (BW). 80' Hélder Costa (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 80' Foul by Karl Henry (BW). 78' Sub, (BW) Adam Le Fondre replaces Darren Pratley. Goal! 74' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Bolton Wanderers 1. William Buckley (BW) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Gary Madine. 73' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 73' Craig Noone (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 73' Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. 72' Sub, (WW) Hélder Costa replaces Léo Bonatini. 69' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69' Foul by Josh Vela (BW). 69' Corner, (BW) Conceded by Willy Boly. 68' Foul by Matt Doherty (WW). 68' William Buckley (BW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 66' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 66' Craig Noone (BW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Booking 54' Rúben Neves (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 64' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 64' Mark Little (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 66' Sub, (BW) William Buckley replaces Adam Armstrong. 63' Sub, (BW) Craig Noone replaces Sammy Ameobi. Goal!
62' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Bolton Wanderers 0. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner. 61' Penalty Wolverhampton Wanderers. Romain Saiss draws a foul in the penalty area. 61' Penalty conceded by Antonee Robinson (BW) after a foul in the penalty area.
60' Attempt missed. Adam Armstrong (BW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. 59' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 59' Delay in match Antonee Robinson (BW) because of an injury. Booking 58' Diogo Jota (WW) is shown the yellow card. 58' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 58' Antonee Robinson (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 54' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Mark Beevers. 54' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 53' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Mark Little. 49' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 49' Karl Henry (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 47' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW).47'
Sammy Ameobi (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Bolton Wanderers 0.
Half Time 45'+5' First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Bolton Wanderers 0.
45'+4' Corner, (WW) Conceded by David Wheater. Booking 45'+4' Sammy Ameobi (BW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 45'+4' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45'+4' Foul by Sammy Ameobi (BW). 45'+3' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 45'+3' Antonee Robinson (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45'+2' Attempt missed. Sammy Ameobi (BW) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick. 45'+1' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 45'+1' Gary Madine (BW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 45'+1' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 45'+1' Mark Little (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Booking 43' David Wheater (BW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 43' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 43' Foul by David Wheater (BW). 42' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 42' David Wheater (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 41' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 41' David Wheater (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 39' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 39' Foul by Mark Little (BW). 38' Attempt saved. Antonee Robinson (BW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Gary Madine. 36' Foul by Matt Doherty (WW). 36' Antonee Robinson (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 36' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 35' Delay in match Diogo Jota (WW) because of an injury. 34' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 34' Foul by Mark Little (BW). 32'
Offside, (WW) Conor Coady tries a through ball, but Barry Douglas is caught offside. 32' Attempt missed. Sammy Ameobi (BW) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. 32' Attempt blocked. Adam Armstrong (BW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gary Madine. 31' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 31' Foul by Sammy Ameobi (BW). 30' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 30' Josh Vela (BW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 29' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Darren Pratley. Goal!
25' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Bolton Wanderers 0. Léo Bonatini (WW) header from the left side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Diogo Jota.
25' Attempt blocked. Antonee Robinson (BW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sammy Ameobi. 23' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 20' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 20' Foul by Gary Madine (BW). 18' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 18' Antonee Robinson (BW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 17' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Antonee Robinson. 17' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Diogo Jota following a set piece situation. 16' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. 16' Attempt saved. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom left corner. 16' Attempt saved. Willy Boly (WW) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. 16' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 16' Foul by Karl Henry (BW). Goal!
13' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Bolton Wanderers 0. Willy Boly (WW) header from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a corner.
12' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Mark Beevers. 12' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 10' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 9' Delay in match Romain Saiss (WW) because of an injury. 7' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 6' Delay in match Gary Madine (BW) because of an injury. 6' Attempt saved. Gary Madine (BW) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Josh Vela with a cross. 6' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 6' Sammy Ameobi (BW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 4' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Mark Little. 1' Offside, (WW) Willy Boly tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Championship leaders Wolves are expected to be unchanged for the visit of struggling Bolton Wanderers. Wolves' 4-1 victory at to Leeds in midweek, their fourth straight win, stretched their advantage at the top of the table back to four points. Bolton Wanderers striker Adam Le Fondre has recovered from a calf injury and could face his former club. Le Fondre, who spent 2015-16 on loan at Wolves, was a late substitute in Bolton's midweek draw against Reading.
Prediction win 78% Draw 13% win 9%
Match facts
Wolves have won only one of their last 11 league matches against Bolton - a 1-0 victory under Kenny Jackett in September 2014. The Trotters have not kept a clean sheet at Molineux in a league match since the 2000/01 season - and have conceded 12 goals in seven subsequent visits. Wolves have scored more goals in both the first half (17) and second half (18) of matches than Bolton have in total (15). After losing eight consecutive games and scoring just once in the process, the Trotters have since gone seven unbeaten, although five have been draws. Wolves top scorer Leo Bonatini has been directly involved in more goals this season (15 - 10 goals, 5 assists) than any other Championship player. Bolton striker Gary Madine has had a hand in a higher share of his 's goals (46.7%) than any other individual player in the Championship.
18 Wolves 4 Douglas (15'), Cavaleiro (26'), Jota (72'), Costa (76' pen) Leeds Alioski (48'), Vieira (Dismissed at 60')
Wolves 4 Douglas (15'), Cavaleiro (26'), Jota (72'), Costa (76' pen) Leeds 1 Alioski (48'), Vieira (Dismissed at 60')
Barry Douglas scored Wolves' opening goal (© AMA / Sam Bagnall) 
Wolves eased to their biggest home win of the season as they saw off Leeds United to restore their four-point lead at the top of the Championship. The hosts led 2-0 at the break after goals from Barry Douglas and Ivan Cavaleiro. Ezgjan Alioski ghosted in to pull one back before team-mate Ronaldo Vieira was sent off. But Diogo Jota ran through to chip a third before sub Helder Costa's clinching penalty.
After a quiet start on a wet, windy night at Molineux, Wolves' deadball specialist Douglas brought the game to life when he curled a stunning left-foot free-kick into the top right corner on 15 minutes. Top scorer Leo Bonatini twice went close as did Cavaleiro before rampant Wolves doubled their lead on 26 minutes. Fed from the right, Cavaleiro turned inside and had time to beat a man inside the penalty area before smashing in a left-foot shot from 12 yards, which former Wolves keeper Andy Lonergan got a hand to but could not prevent going in. Cavaleiro was then so close to a third, exchanging passes with Djota before a clever toe poke with the outside of his right boot drifted just wide. Yet, after a first half of home dominance, within three minutes of the restart, Leeds were level. Latching onto Luke Ayling's ball in from the left, Alioski stole in behind Wolves' dozing defence and hooked in left-foot volley. Leeds looked capable of levelling until midfielder Vieira was sent off on the hour mark for his second bookable offence for repeating his first-half foul on Jota. And the substitution of Costa for Cavaleiro gave the hosts further impetus. Within three minutes of coming on, while Molineux was still purring at one superb piece of Costa's close dribbling on the right flank, Jota raced through a yawning gap to subtly lift his left-foot chip over the advancing Lonergan. And when Bonatini was brought down by Lonergan, Costa confidently struck home the penalty to send most of a 28,914 crowd home happy.
The match programme incldued Mark Feehan representing Wolves at a charity function in support of Nigerian Football and Carl Ikeme
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty 27Saiss Sub N'Diaye at 81' 8Neves Sub Price at 80' 3Douglas7Cavaleiro Sub Costa at 69' 33Bonatini 18Jota Substitutes 4N'Diaye 6Batth 17Costa 19Price 25Miranda 26Enobakhare 31Norris
Leeds
1Lonergan 2Ayling 18Jansson 6Cooper 28Berardi 25Vieira Booked at 60mins 23Phillips Booked at 51mins 10Alioski Booked at 62mins 21Sáiz Sub Dallas at 77' minutes 19Hernández Sub O'Kane at 69' minutes 7Roofe Sub Ekuban at 68' minutes Substitutes5Pennington 8Anita 13Wiedwald 14O'Kane 15Dallas 35Shaughnessy 45Ekuban
Referee: Geoff Eltringham Attendance: 28,914 Leeds 2282
Wolves Leeds
Possession 54% 46%
Shots 12 9
Shots on Target 7 4
Corners 1 2
Fouls 12 12
Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, (LU). 1.
Full Time 90'+4' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, (LU). 1.
90'+3' Attempt missed. Caleb Ekuban (LU). header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Stuart Dallas with a cross following a set piece situation. 90'+2' Foul by Willy Boly (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 90'+2' Ezgjan Alioski (LU). wins a free kick on the right wing. 88' Willy Boly , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 88' Foul by Caleb Ekuban (Leeds United). 87' Corner, (LU).. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 86' Hélder Costa , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86' Foul by Kalvin Phillips (LU). 84' Foul by Matt Doherty , (WW). 84' Gaetano Berardi (LU) wins a free kick on the left wing. 81' Sub, (WW). Alfred N'Diaye replaces Romain Saiss. 80' Sub, (WW). Jack Price replaces Rúben Neves. 80' Corner, (LU).. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 77' Sub, (LU).. Stuart Dallas replaces Samuel Sáiz. Goal!
76' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, (LU). 1. Hélder Costa , (WW) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner. 75' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 75' Delay in match Léo Bonatini , (WW) because of an injury. 74' Penalty Wolverhampton Wanderers. Léo Bonatini draws a foul in the penalty area.
74' Penalty conceded by Andy Lonergan (LU) after a foul in the penalty area.
74' Attempt saved. Diogo Jota , (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 74' Attempt saved. Hélder Costa , (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rúben Neves. Goal!
72' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, (LU). 1. Diogo Jota , (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Léo Bonatini with a headed pass. 69' Sub, (WW). Hélder Costa replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 69' Sub, (LU) Eunan O'Kane replaces Pablo Hernández. 68' Sub, (LU) Caleb Ekuban replaces Kemar Roofe. 66' Attempt saved. Samuel Sáiz (LU) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Luke Ayling. Booking 62' Ezgjan Alioski (LU) is shown the yellow card. 62' Barry Douglas , (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 62' Foul by Ezgjan Alioski (LU).
Dismissal 60' Second yellow card to Ronaldo Vieira (LU) for a bad foul. 60' Foul by Ronaldo Vieira (LU). 60' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 59' Attempt missed. Pablo Hernández (LU) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kemar Roofe. 57' Foul by Gaetano Berardi (LU). 57' Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 55' Attempt missed. Samuel Sáiz (LU) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Ronaldo Vieira. Booking 51' Kalvin Phillips (LU) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 50' Foul by Kalvin Phillips (LU). 50' Rúben Neves , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal!
48' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, (LU). 1. Ezgjan Alioski (LU) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Samuel Sáiz with a through ball. 48' Foul by Barry Douglas , (WW). 48' Ezgjan Alioski (LU) wins a free kick on the right wing. 47' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). 47' Pablo Hernández (LU) wins a free kick on the right wing. 46' Corner, (WW). Conceded by Liam Cooper. Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, (LU). 0.
Half time
Wolves Leeds
Possession 50% 50%
Shots 7 3
Shots on Target 3 1
Corners 0 0
Fouls 8 5
Half Time45'+2'
First Half ends, (WW) 2, (LU). 0.
44' Attempt saved. Samuel Sáiz (LU) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 43' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 43' Gaetano Berardi (LU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 42' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 42' Foul by Ronaldo Vieira (LU). 41' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 41' Kemar Roofe (LU) wins a free kick on the left wing. 38' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 38' Ronaldo Vieira (LU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 34' Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 33' Attempt missed. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Diogo Jota following a fast break. 32' Attempt blocked. Ezgjan Alioski (LU) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Samuel Sáiz. 31' Foul by Conor Coady (WW). 31' Kemar Roofe (LU) wins a free kick on the right wing. Booking 28' Ronaldo Vieira (LU) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 28' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 28' Foul by Ronaldo Vieira (LU). 27' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 27' Ezgjan Alioski (LU) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! 26' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, (LU). 0. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 24' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 24' Kemar Roofe (LU) wins a free kick on the left wing. 20' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 20' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini (WW) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro. 18' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 18' Foul by Pontus Jansson (LU). 16' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini (WW) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross. Goal!
15' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, (LU). 0. Barry Douglas (WW) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the top right corner. 14' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 14' Foul by Liam Cooper (LU). 10' Hand ball by Rúben Neves (WW). 6' Attempt missed. Kalvin Phillips (LU) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Ezgjan Alioski. 4' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 4' Luke Ayling (LU) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 3' Conor Coady (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 3' Foul by Kemar Roofe (LU).
Kick Off First Half begins
Wolves may opt to make one change as they bid to maintain their three-match winning run at to Leeds United. Influential left-back Barry Douglas is available again after a one-match suspension, Ruben Vinagre having deputised in Saturday's win at Reading. Leeds have a doubt over striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who missed Sunday's 2-1 win over Garry Monk's Middlesbrough. It ended a run of four straight losses, but Leeds still start the game 12 points behind Wolves. Nuno's Championship leaders may be knocked off the top again if Sheffield United win at to Fulham on Tuesday. (didn't happen - Fulham won 5-4)
prediction win - 65% Draw - 21% win - 14%
Match facts
Four of the last six league meetings between these sides have been won by the - including both last season. Wolves have lost their last two league matches against Leeds - as many as in their previous 17 visits. Leeds are the only Championship side that have failed to win a single point from a losing position this season. Wolves have lost their last seven matches on a Wednesday. The last time they avoided defeat was the 1-0 win over Chelsea in January 2011. Leo Bonatini is the Championship's top scorer this season, having scored 10 goals from his 19 shots on target.
17 Reading 0 Wolves 2 Cavaleiro (16'), Doherty (88')
17 Reading 0 Wolves 2 Cavaleiro (16'), Doherty (88')
HT 0-1
Reading
1Mannone 5McShane 20Ilori Sub for Edwards at 31' 6Moore 19Bacuna Booked at 20mins 4van den Berg Booked at 56mins 10Swift 2Gunter 7Beerens Sub for Bödvarsson at 81' 18Kermorgant Sub for Aluko at 66' 17Barrow Substitutes 14Aluko 16Edwards 22Clement 23Bödvarsson 24Blackett 31Jaakkola 50Richards
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett Booked at 64mins 16Coady 15Boly 2Doherty Booked at 59mins 27Saiss 8Neves 29Vinagre 7Cavaleiro Sub for N'Diaye at 79' 33Bonatini
Sub for Enobakhare at 72' 18Jota Sub for Costa at 85' Substitutes 4N'Diaye 6Batth 17Costa 19Price 25Miranda 26Enobakhare 31Norris
Referee: Roger East Attendance: 20,708
Excellent shot from Sam Bagnall as the Doc scores
Wolves returned to the top of the Championship with victory at Reading despite late pressure from the hosts.
Goals from Ivan Cavaleiro and Matt Doherty helped restore Wolves' two-point lead at the top after Sheffield United had temporarily replaced them at the summit on Friday. Cavaleiro rounded Vito Mannone for the visitors' opener in the first half. John Ruddy made several saves to deny Reading late on before full-back Doherty fired in from inside the box. Ruddy had already pushed an early long-range effort from John Swift onto the post before denying Mo Barrow, Leandro Bacuna and Sone Aluko as the Royals pressed. Having also survived several goalmouth scrambles, Wolves' first victory at the Madejski Stadium since 2005 was wrapped up by Doherty's late second. Reading were boosted by last season's top scorer Yann Kermorgant making his first start of the campaign, but Wolves' stout defending and clinical finishing prevented them from notching a third successive league win. Wolves have won 12 of their 17 league matches so far this term, while Reading's eighth defeat of 2017-18 leaves last season's play-off finalists five points above the relegation zone.
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo: "We know that we played a good team who caused us a lot of problems. We had to find solutions against them and that meant we had to defend well, which we did. When you see a player throwing his body in front of the ball, then you know that you can count on your players. We played well in the first half but, after that, we knew that Reading would come forward at us. We had to recognise that and work hard, but we still had moments to try to get a second goal. It would have been nicer if it had come before the 88th minute, but we are happy."
Reading manager Jaap Stam:
"Did we deserve more from the game? We should have got at least a draw. We started the game very well and could maybe have scored that first goal, but we didn't do it. Then, after a while, you knew that Wolves were going to be taking part in this game as well and go forward. They have got a lot of ability and quality in their team. Everybody knows that and we knew that. In the second half, we totally dominated the game. We created opportunity on opportunity but didn't score."
Reading Wolves
Possession 61% 39%
Shots 16 10
Shots on Target 6 4
Corners 6 8
Fouls 7 14
Match ends, Reading 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.
Full Time 90'+5' Second Half ends, Reading 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.
90'+4' Attempt missed. Paul McShane(R) header from the right side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Sone Aluko with a cross following a set piece situation. 90'+4' Sone Aluko(R) wins a free kick on the right wing. 90'+4' Foul by Rúben Vinagre , (WW). 90'+2' Attempt missed. Modou Barrow(R) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Leandro Bacuna with a cross. 90'+1' Offside, (WW) Bright Enobakhare tries a through ball, but Romain Saiss is caught offside. 90' Attempt missed. Leandro Bacuna(R) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 90' Corner, (R) Conceded by Willy Boly. Goal!
88' Goal! Reading 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Matt Doherty , (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Hélder Costa.
87' Chris Gunter(R) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 87' Foul by Bright Enobakhare , (WW). 86' Attempt saved. Sone Aluko(R) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Paul McShane. 85' Sub, (WW) Hélder Costa replaces Diogo Jota. 84' Foul by Paul McShane(R). 84' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 84' Attempt saved. Leandro Bacuna(R) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Joey van den Berg. 81' Attempt blocked. Paul McShane(R) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sone Aluko with a cross. 81' Sub, (R) Jón Dadi Bödvarsson replaces Roy Beerens. 80' Corner, (R) Conceded by Willy Boly. 80' Attempt blocked. Sone Aluko(R) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 80'
Attempt saved. Modou Barrow(R) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Roy Beerens. 79' Sub, (WW) Alfred N'Diaye replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 75' Attempt saved. Modou Barrow(R) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Roy Beerens. 73' Joey van den Berg(R) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 73' Foul by Bright Enobakhare , (WW). 72' Sub, (WW) Bright Enobakhare replaces Léo Bonatini. 71' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini , (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. 68' Corner, (R) Conceded by Willy Boly. 66' Sub, (R) Sone Aluko replaces Yann Kermorgant. Booking 64' Ryan Bennett , (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 64' Modou Barrow(R) wins a free kick on the left wing. 64' Foul by Ryan Bennett , (WW). 62' Attempt saved. Rúben Neves , (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 60' Attempt missed. John Swift(R) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation. 60' Attempt blocked. Yann Kermorgant(R) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 59' John Swift(R) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 59' Foul by Romain Saiss , (WW). Booking 59' Matt Doherty , (WW) is shown the yellow card. 58' Matt Doherty , (WW) has gone down, but that's a dive. Booking 56' Joey van den Berg(R) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 56'
Foul by Joey van den Berg(R). 56' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 53' Liam Moore(R) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 53' Foul by Willy Boly , (WW). 52' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Paul McShane. 51' Foul by Paul McShane(R). 51' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 50' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Yann Kermorgant. 50' Attempt missed. Ryan Bennett , (WW) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross following a corner. 50' Corner, (WW) Conceded by David Edwards. 49' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Paul McShane. 48' Attempt blocked. Modou Barrow(R) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 48' Attempt blocked. David Edwards(R) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 48' Attempt blocked. Liam Moore(R) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 47' Corner, (R) Conceded by Conor Coady.
Second Half begins Reading 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Half Time
Reading Wolves
Possession 58% 42%
Shots 2 6
Shots on Target 1 2
Corners 2 4
Fouls 4 7
45'+3' First Half ends, Reading 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
45'+2' Foul by Liam Moore(R). 45'+2' Diogo Jota , (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 43' Attempt missed. Willy Boly , (WW) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross following a corner. 43' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Joey van den Berg. 43' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota , (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 40' Modou Barrow(R) wins a free kick on the left wing. 40' Foul by Matt Doherty , (WW). 39' Attempt blocked. Léo Bonatini , (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Romain Saiss with a through ball. 33' Corner, (R) Conceded by Conor Coady. 32' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Paul McShane. 31' Sub, (R) David Edwards replaces Tiago Ilori because of an injury. 30' Chris Gunter(R) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 30' Foul by Matt Doherty , (WW). 29' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves , (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. 28' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Tiago Ilori. 28' Attempt saved. Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 23' Attempt missed. John Swift(R) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick. 23' Yann Kermorgant(R) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 23' Foul by Willy Boly , (WW). 22' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Yann Kermorgant. Booking 20' Leandro Bacuna(R) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 20' Foul by Leandro Bacuna(R). 20' Rúben Vinagre , (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 19' Paul McShane(R) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 19' Foul by Diogo Jota , (WW). 18' Foul by Tiago Ilori(R). 18' Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal!
16' Goal! Reading 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Diogo Jota with a through ball. 14' Chris Gunter(R) wins a free kick on the left wing. 14' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro , (WW). 12' Corner, (R) Conceded by Rúben Vinagre. 10' John Swift(R) wins a free kick on the left wing. 10' Foul by Ryan Bennett , (WW). 5' John Swift(R) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 5' Foul by Matt Doherty , (WW). 4' Foul by Joey van den Berg(R). 4' Romain Saiss , (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 1' Offside, (R) John Swift tries a through ball, but Modou Barrow is caught offside. 1' Attempt saved. John Swift(R) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Joey van den Berg. Kick Off
First Half begins.
Reading goalkeeper Vito Mannone (hip) and forward Sone Aluko (knee) are expected to shake off minor injuries to face Championship leaders Wolves. Striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (calf) is also hoping to be fit for an appearance against his former club. Wolves' Barry Douglas is banned after the left-back's fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 win at to Fulham before the international break. Midfielder Ruben Neves is one yellow card from suspension too. Morocco's Romain Saiss, who plays centre-half for his country, and Senegal's Alfred N'Diaye are in contention, having helped their respective countries qualify for next summer's World Cup finals in Russia. If selected, Reading summer signings Bodvarsson, who also hopes to be there with Iceland, and Wales midfielder Dave Edwards will both be up against their former club for the first time.
prediction win 20% Draw 25% win 55%
Reading manager Jaap Stam told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"We're absolutely not scared of facing Wolves as we know any in this league can beat anyone on their day. The thing with this game, as with every one, is that you need to be really up for it and know who you're going to be facing. Wolves have built a completely new almost and invested a lot of money in it, to maybe make that step up to the Premier League. They've got a quality with energy. We know what they can do and what they're capable of to make life difficult for us. But we believe in ourselves and we're confident in what we can do."
Wolves midfielder Romain Saiss told BBC WM: "I am really happy at the moment. This is the best time in my career. Everything is good. We have qualified for the World Cup, which is the best competition, and my club are top of the league. Now we have to finish the job with Wolves. If I can go to the Premier League with Wolves, it would make it the perfect year. The coach wants a who can play from the back, which makes it easier. Every player is happy as it is more enjoyable to play this way."
Match facts
Reading are unbeaten in their past five league matches against Wolves, who have recorded more wins (five in eight games) than any other Championship side this season. Wolves have kept clean sheets in three of their past four Championship matches against Reading, although they conceded twice in their most recent meeting in March, losing 2-1. Reading have scored seven goals in their past two matches, both victories (3-1 against Nottingham Forest and 4-2 against Derby), more than they had managed in nine meetings games prior to that. Leo Bonatini has scored the last goal in five Championship matches this season - more than any other player. Sone Aluko has scored in back to back league matches - he has not scored in three consecutive games since November 2012 for Hull, when he did so against Wolves.
16 Wolves 2 Saiss (9' ), Bonatini (26' )Fulham 0
16 Wolves 2 Saiss (9' ), Bonatini (26' ) Fulham 0
HT 2-0
First November win in 6 years (apart from winning League 1) as Bonatini hits 7 in 6.
Championship leaders Wolves opened up a four-point lead at the top as they comfortably disposed of Fulham. First-half headers by Romain Saiss and Leo Bonatini, a 10th goal of the season for the Championship's top scorer, secured a fourth straight home win. Fulham were not without a threat, going closest through Kevin McDonald. But Wolves could have won by more at Molineux as Nuno Espirito Santo's men claimed an eighth clean sheet in 16 league games. Both goals were set up by Wolves' dead-ball specialist, left-back Barry Douglas. Saiss headed the first, on nine minutes, getting on the end of an inswinging Douglas corner. Relive how Wolves beat Fulham as it happened There might have been an immediate second goal, but Diogo Jota's low left-foot shot flashed across the face of goal. As it was, Fulham should have equalised, when home keeper John Ruddy flapped at an Oliver Norwood free-kick but, when the ball fell to Wolves old boy McDonald, he ballooned over the bar from close range. Instead, Wolves doubled their lead on 26 minutes when Douglas curled in another wickedly pacy left-foot free-kick from wide on the right - and Bonatini got his head on it to flick home his seventh goal in as many matches. Bonatini could have had more, sliding one wide, before being denied a headed second by a fine flying save from David Button, then bulleting another header over. Saiss and Jota could also both have scored on the break, but another quality home display will have shortened the odds even further on Wolves returning to the Premier League next May for the first time in six years.
Wolves
21Ruddy 5Bennett 16Coady 15Boly Sub N'Diayeat 79' 2Doherty 27SaissBooked at 42mins 8Neves 3DouglasBooked at 53mins 7Cavaleiro Sub Enobakhareat 75' 33Bonatini Sub Marshallat 87' 18Jota Substitutes 4N'Diaye 6Batth 12Marshall 17Costa 26Enobakhare 29Vinagre 31Norris
Fulham
27Button 2Fredericks 4Odoi 13Ream 3R SessegnonBooked at 25mins 16NorwoodBooked at 13mins 6McDonaldBooked at 49mins 8JohansenBooked at 1mins 11Ayité Sub Soares Alvesat 63' 9Da Rocha Fonte Sub Kamaraat 70' 7Kebano Sub Molloat 54' Substitutes 1Bettinelli 5Soares Alves 22Mollo 26Kalas 37Edun 44Cissé 47Kamara
Referee: David Coote Attendance: 24,388
Wolves Fulham
Possession 46% 54%
Shots 15 10
Shots on Target 5 2
Corners 4 1
Fouls 15 7
Full Time 90'+4' Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Fulham 0.
90'+3' Oliver Norwood (FFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90'+3' Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (WW). 90'+3' Offside, (WW) John Ruddy tries a through ball, but Bright Enobakhare is caught offside. 87' Sub, (WW) Ben Marshall replaces Léo Bonatini. 83' Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (FFC) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ryan Fredericks. 83' Aboubakar Kamara (FFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 83' Foul by Ryan Bennett (WW). 81' Offside, (WW) Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Barry Douglas is caught offside. 79' Sub, (WW) Alfred N'Diaye replaces Willy Boly. 79' Foul by Denis Odoi (FFC). 79' Bright Enobakhare (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 77' Denis Odoi (FFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 77' Foul by Bright Enobakhare (WW). 76' Attempt blocked. Ryan Bennett (WW) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. 75' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Denis Odoi. 75' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Rúben Neves. 75' Sub, (WW) Bright Enobakhare replaces Ivan Cavaleiro. 74' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini (WW) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Matt Doherty with a cross. 72' Attempt saved. Romain Saiss (WW) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. 72' Attempt blocked. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Romain Saiss. 70' Sub, Fulham. Aboubakar Kamara replaces Rui Fonte. 70' Offside, (WW) Ivan Cavaleiro tries a through ball, but Matt Doherty is caught offside. 68' Rafa Soares (FFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 68' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 66' Offside, (WW) Léo Bonatini tries a through ball, but Diogo Jota is caught offside. 66' Attempt saved. Léo Bonatini (WW) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross. 66' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Kevin McDonald. 66' Attempt blocked. Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Romain Saiss. 64' Attempt saved. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Léo Bonatini. 63' Sub, Fulham. Rafa Soares replaces Floyd Ayité. 61' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Barry Douglas. 56' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 54' Foul by Yohan Mollo (FFC). 54' Barry Douglas (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 54' Attempt missed. Ryan Fredericks (FFC) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Oliver Norwood following a set piece situation. 54' Sub, Fulham. Yohan Mollo replaces Neeskens Kebano. Booking 53' Barry Douglas (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 52' Neeskens Kebano (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 52' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 51' Attempt missed. Floyd Ayité (FFC) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Rui Fonte. 50' Attempt missed. Léo Bonatini (WW) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a through ball. Booking 49' Kevin McDonald (FFC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 48' Foul by Kevin McDonald (FFC). 48' Romain Saiss (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Second Half
Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Fulham 0.
Half Time - Morgan Gibbs-White, World Cup winning scorer received this from Bully & Gareth Prosser (@wolves)
Wolves Fulham
Possession 47% 53%
Shots 6 9
Shots on Target 2 2Corners 2 1
Fouls 12 6
Half Time 45'+4' First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Fulham 0.
45' Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (FFC) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ryan Fredericks. 45' Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Rúben Neves. 43' Kevin McDonald (FFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 43' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). Booking 42' Romain Saiss (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 42' Stefan Johansen (FFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 42' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 40' Oliver Norwood (FFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 40' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 39' Ryan Fredericks (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 39' Foul by Barry Douglas (WW). 38' Delay over. They are ready to continue. 37' Delay in match Tim Ream (FFC) because of an injury. 36' Ryan Sessegnon (FFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 36' Foul by Matt Doherty (WW). 33' Attempt blocked. Neeskens Kebano (FFC) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 33' Attempt blocked. Floyd Ayité (FFC) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Fredericks with a cross. 33' Foul by Romain Saiss (WW). 33' Rui Fonte (FFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 31' Attempt missed. Oliver Norwood (FFC) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Stefan Johansen. 30' Foul by Ryan Fredericks (FFC). 30' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal! 26'
Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Fulham 0. Léo Bonatini (WW) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a set piece situation. Booking 25' Ryan Sessegnon (FFC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 25' Foul by Ryan Sessegnon (FFC). 25' Ivan Cavaleiro (WW) wins a free kick on the right wing. 23' Attempt saved. Floyd Ayité (FFC) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 20' Attempt blocked. Stefan Johansen (FFC) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 19' Floyd Ayité (FFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 19' Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (WW). 16' Oliver Norwood (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 16' Foul by Rúben Neves (WW). 16' Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (FFC) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is too high following a set piece situation. 15' Ryan Fredericks (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 15' Foul by Diogo Jota (WW). 15' Foul by Léo Bonatini (WW). 15' Stefan Johansen (FFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. Booking 13' Oliver Norwood (FFC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 12' Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (WW) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the right. Goal!
9' Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Fulham 0. Romain Saiss (WW) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a corner. 9' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Ryan Sessegnon. 8' Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Diogo Jota. 6' Foul by Kevin McDonald (FFC). 6' Matt Doherty (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 2' Corner, (WW) Conceded by Neeskens Kebano. Booking 1' Stefan Johansen (FFC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 1' Foul by Stefan Johansen (FFC). 1' Diogo Jota (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 1' Neeskens Kebano (FFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 1' Foul by Willy Boly (WW). Kick Off
First Half begins.
Wolves will go four points clear at the top of the Championship if they beat Fulham at Molineux. Midfielder Romain Saiss is available after missing Tuesday's 2-0 win at Norwich because of a one-game ban. Fulham forward Aboubakar Kamara is available after successfully appealing his red card in Tuesday's defeat by Bristol City. Lucas Piazon and Sheyi Ojo remain unavailable as they continue to recover from long-term injuries. Wolves boss Nuno takes charge of his first game since confirming on Thursday that he is not interested in the managerial vacancy at Premier League strugglers Everton.
prediction win 48% Draw 26% win 26%
Match facts
Wolves are unbeaten in their past 13 games against Fulham in all competitions (W9 D4). Fulham have conceded at least three goals in each of their past six matches against Wolves in all competitions, conceding 19 goals in total. Leo Bonatini has been involved in at least one goal every league game for Wolves at Molinuex, scoring six and assisting three in seven matches. Slavisa Jokanovic has never lost back-to-back league matches in charge of Fulham - he last did so in the Championship while Watford boss in January 2015. Wolves have lost their past four league matches on a Friday, while Fulham have won their last four on a Friday, including one this season at QPR. Wolves have not won any of their last 13 league matches in November (D5 L8) since a 2-0 win over Tranmere Rovers in League One in November 2013; excluding their one season in League One in 2013-14, they haven't won a league match in November in the top two tiers since November 2011, winning 3-1 against Wigan in the Premier League.
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32 |
1 |
12 |
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16 |
Fri |
3rd November |
19:45 |
Sky |
Wolves |
2 |
0 |
Fulham |
3 |
35 |
1 |
14 |
|
|
17 |
Sat |
18th November |
15:00 |
|
Reading |
0 |
2 |
Wolves |
3 |
38 |
1 |
16 |
|
|
18 |
Wed |
22nd November |
19:45 |
|
Wolves |
4 |
1 |
Leeds |
3 |
41 |
1 |
19 |
|
|
19 |
Sat |
25th November |
15:00 |
|
Wolves |
5 |
1 |
Bolton W |
3 |
44 |
1 |
23 |
|
|
20 |
Mon |
4th December |
19:45 |
Sky |
Birmingham |
0 |
1 |
Wolves |
3 |
47 |
1 |
24 |
|
|
20 |
Sat |
9th December |
15:00 |
|
Wolves |
0 |
0 |
Sunderland |
1 |
48 |
1 |
24 |
|
|
22 |
Fri |
15th December |
19:45 |
Sky |
Sheffield Weds |
0 |
1 |
Wolves |
3 |
51 |
1 |
25 |
|
|
23 |
Sat |
23rd December |
15:00 |
|
Wolves |
1 |
0 |
Ipswich Town |
3 |
54 |
1 |
26 |
|
|
24 |
Tue |
26th December |
13:00 |
|
Millwall |
2 |
2 |
Wolves |
1 |
55 |
1 |
26 |
|
|
25 |
Sat |
30th December |
17:30 |
|
Bristol City |
1 |
2 |
Wolves |
3 |
58 |
1 |
27 |
|
|
26 |
Tue |
2nd January 2018 |
19:45 |
|
Wolves |
3 |
0 |
Brentford |
3 |
61 |
1 |
30 |
|
|
FAC3 |
Sat |
6th January 2018 |
15:00 |
|
Wolves |
0 |
0 |
Swansea City |
FA |
Cup |
3rd |
rnd |
|
|
27 |
Sat |
13th January |
15:00 |
|
Barnsley |
0 |
0 |
Wolves |
1 |
62 |
1 |
30 |
|
|
FAC4R |
Wed |
17 th January |
19:45 |
|
Swansea City |
2 |
1 |
Wolves |
FA |
Cup |
3rd rnd |
replay |
|
|
28 |
Sat |
20th January |
15:00 |
|
Wolves |
0 |
2 |
Nottm Forest |
0 |
62 |
1 |
28 |
|
|
29 |
Sat |
27th January |
15:00 |
|
Ipswich |
0 |
1 |
Wolves |
3 |
65 |
1 |
29 |
|
|
30 |
Sat |
3rd February |
17:30 |
Sky |
Wolves |
3 |
0 |
Sheffield Utd |
3 |
68 |
1 |
32 |
|
|
31 |
Sat |
10th February |
15:00 |
|
Wolves |
2 |
1 |
QPR |
3 |
71 |
1 |
33 |
|
|
32 |
Sat |
17th February |
19:45 |
|
Preston NE |
1 |
1 |
Wolves |
1 |
72 |
1 |
33 |
|
|
33 |
Wed |
21st February |
19:45 |
|
Wolves |
2 |
2 |
Norwich |
1 |
73 |
1 |
33 |
|
|
34 |
Sat |
24th February |
17:30 |
Sky |
Fulham |
2 |
0 |
Wolves |
0 |
73 |
1 |
31 |
|
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