Batth brace takes Wolves closer to safety
Wolves 3 v Cardiff City 1
When Cardiff last visited Molineux in January 2016 they taunted Wolves winning at a canter by 3-1. Yet the side that finished that game bears little resemblance to the one fielded today by new manager Neil Warnock. Brought in to staunch a relegation bound decline, Warnock sides tend to marry solid defence with fluidity going forward. Those characteristics were evident today. Unfortunately for Cardiff they found themselves facing a revitalized Wolverhampton Wanderers, flourishing in the confidence gained by two excellent wins away from home.
The game was only eight minutes old when Wolves took the lead. From the left Ben Marshall’s excellent free kick was headed towards goal by a Cardiff defender. It reached Andreas Weimann who headed it back across the goalmouth to Danny Batth who in turn headed home with ease. Given how poor Wolves have been at home all season it was the perfect start. Just a shame that the lead lasted barely four minutes when in minute twelve Kenneth Zohore back headed into the Wolves net, their defence and goalkeeper Lonergan static as if stuck in mud. For the next half an hour both sides creating chances the best of which fell to Aaron Gunnarson who in the 26th minute side footed wide when he should have scored. For Wolves whenever Ivan Cavaleiro or Helda Costa found themselves in possession they looked dangerous. But those moments were all too infrequent. Then, with the half seemingly drawing to a close, Marshall’s superb cross from the right picked out Batth who, for the second time, headed home with aplomb.
Spurred on by their lead in the second half Wolves had the better of the spoils, forcing Warnock to make changes. On came Craig Noone who had so taunted Wolves when last here and he made an immediate impact with a series of mazy runs ending with dangerous crosses. Then in the 65th he weaved his way past both Doherty and Evans before firing a curling strike against a post. Undeterred Wolves continued to strive and in the 75th minute Helda Costa picked out Weimann with a precise cross from the right. The on loan striker had only to pass it at goal to score but instead turned it inside where the ball was gathered by McGregor, a gilt edged chance spurned. However any thought that the miss could prove pivotal were soon dispelled when in the 81st minute Costa collected a pass from David Edwards on the right edge of the box. Advancing on goal his outrageous series of dummies had both Bennett and McGregor chasing shadows. A gaping gap emerged through which Costa passed the ball into the net. It was a moment of pure brilliance and worthy of the entrance fee alone.
Three weeks ago Wolves were in danger of slipping into the relegation zone. But three good wins on the bounce have moved them closer to safety. Manager Lambert appears to have retrieved a season that was slipping away from him and in the process may have secured his position for next season.
Wolves: Lonergan 6, Coady 7, Batth 8, Hause 6, Doherty 6, Evans 6, Edwards 7, Marshall 8 Sub Saiss, Cavaleiro 7 Sub Bodvarsson, Costa 9, Weimann 6 Sub Saville
Cardiff: McGregor 6, Richards 6, Morrison 6, Ecuele Manga 6, Bennett 6, Bamba 6, Hoilett 6 Sub Noone, Gunnarson 6, Ralls 6 Sub Whittingham, Harris 6 Sub Pilkington, Zahore 7
Attendance: 20,519
Referee: Andy Davies 7
©Mark Brennand