Home and hosed
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Birmingham City 0
As I was settling down to dinner last night Frenchman Neal Maupay was not high on the list of shiny and new talking points. Some ten minutes later, just as I was polishing off a last strand of spaghetti son Tom received a text from his mate. All it said was “Congratulations!!” We neither knew its context until I thought “I bet Brentford have just scored.” As indeed they had, Neal Maupay the name on the scoresheet. “We have done it. We are up!” I exclaimed “. Pour me another glass of wine”.
Had young Maupay not scored last night the walk to the Molineux today would have been a nervous one. Promotion had still to be achieved. But as it was that self same walk was one taken with a spring in the step rejoicing in the knowledge that next year Wolverhampton Wanderers would be plying their trade in the Premier League. With goal number one having been achieved, number two must be go up as Champions. And if today’s performance against local rivals Birmingham City is instructive, then Wolves should achieve that at a canter.
Not that today’s game was a cake walk. Under new manager Garry Monk Birmingham have become a far more organised unit. Some might add robust, such was the tenacity with which they went after Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota. They were here to spoil the party and were the first to threaten when in minute ten Maxime Colin stretched John Ruddy twice, his second attempt forcing a brilliant save from the Wolves keeper. Ruddy may have spent long periods of this season as a spectator but on those occasions when he’s been called upon to deliver he has done so. And this was certainly one.
Another strength of this current Wolves side is the speed with which they counter attack, and it was one such attack that in minute twenty brought their opening goal. First Romain Saiss’s slide rule pass fed Matt Doherty down the right. Now free beyond the Birmingham defensive line, Doherty’s low angled cross was met by Diogo Jota, who from three yards out prodded home. The remainder of the half was a little disjointed perhaps reflecting the visiting side’s partial success in knocking Neves out of his stride.
If Birmingham arrived at the Molineux, knowing that they had a challenge on their hands within eight minutes of the restart that challenge became a veritable mountain when Harlee Dean was sent off for a “last man” trip on Helda Costa. It is the second time this season that he has been dismissed playing against Wolves and coming as it did with Birmingham fighting for Championship survival it is the last thing they needed.
Despite the dismissal it would be another half an hour before Wolves made the numerical advantage pay when Alfred N’Diaye’s incisive though ball set Benik Afobe through on goal. As keeper David Stockdale advanced towards him the Wolves striker showed a refreshing measure of composure, chipping the ball into the net.
The win puts Wolves within one point of claiming the league title. But with promotion already clinched no sooner had referee Andy Davies ended the game, than the celebrations commenced.
Wolves: Ruddy 8, Bennett 7, Coady 7, Boly 8, Doherty 8, Douglas 7, Neves 7 Sub N’Diaye, Saiss 8, Cavaleiro 6 Sub Bonatini 6, Jota 7 Sub Afobe, Costa 8
Birmingham City: Stockdale 6, Morrison 6, Harding 6, Dean 6 Sent off, Grounds 6 Sub Maghoma, Colin 6, NDdoye 6 Sub Gardner, Kieftenbelt 5 Sub Roberts, Jota 7, Davis 6, Jutkiewicz 7
Attendance: 29,536
Referee: Andy Davies 8
©Mark Brennand