Wolves solidified their place at the top of the Championship with a hard fought 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, as they aim to return to the Premier League for the first time in 12 years.
A slow start on a cold Yorkshire night, and Wolves were lucky not to have fallen behind early. Sheff Weds started the brightest and could have taken the lead through Adam Reach. Jordan Rhodes controlled the ball and layed onto Reach who with just the keeper to beat side-footed the ball wide. He should have done better.
Moments later Joost van Aken should have scored for the hosts, but an inspired save from John Ruddy kept the score line 0-0. This pressure seemed to inspire the away side as they picked things up and were in front not long after.
Wolves were awarded a free-kick, and Ivan Cavaleiro looping it deep into the area, and Willy Boly who had come up for the free-kick must have thought he was still defendeing as he seemed to clear the ball, but luckily for Wolves the ball fell to Neves just outside the area.
The Portuguese U2 star showed his class by caressing the ball into the back of the net from all of 20 yards to leave Wednesday keeper Joe Wildsmith with no chance. And that was the first half action drawn to a close.
In the second half, the home side started how they started the first. They were pressing Wolvess back, in hunt for the equalizing goal, but many of their attacks were toothless and soaked up comfortably by Wolves.
Wednesday came closest to equalizing on the hour. Reach crossed the ball in and with the on running Ross Wallace surging to meet the ball, but it was taken from him as his team mate Hooper jumped up in front of him and glanced the ball wide.
The Hillsborough faithful seemed to rouse the home side, and Carvalhal's double change of Lucas Joao and Atdhe Nuhiu looked inspired as Wednesday controlled the second half. But Wolves were comfortable in soaking the pressure up.
With many chances going a begging the frustration began to emanate from the stands down onto the pitch as Morgan Fox was sent off for a second yellow, and effectively, handed the win to Wolves.
The three points solidifies and temporarily at least extends Wolves’ lead at the top of the Championship to 7 points. Second placed Cardiff will host Hull later today, to try and keep tabs on Wolves, but anything other than a win for the Welshmen, and Wolves will be going into the Christmas period very confident.
Sources:
www.skysports.com
www.wolves.co.uk
www.expressandstar.com
