Imperious Wolves close in on finishing line

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Derby County 0

You may recall that last time out, following Wolves’ opportune win away to Cardiff, Bumble was starting his car. Well he’s just moved it up into third, following a flawless Wolves win against play off seeking Derby County.

With the chasing pack – bar Cardiff – all winning last night, there was no let up for Wolves as they chase automatic promotion from the Championship. Derby too needed a win if they are to secure a play off birth and they started brightly with a couple of early attempts on goal. But in minute six Diogo Jota broke free of the offside trap to collect a floated pass from Willy Boly. Cushioning the ball on his thigh and with back to goal in one movement he turned and dinked the ball passed Scott Carson into the Derby net. It was a delightful goal and set the template for the remainder of the evening. On 13 minutes Ruben Neves stung Carson’s palms with a long range effort and Benik Afobe went close with a couple of headers. Wolves dominated possession such that Derby never really offered up a threat and were well worth their first half lead.

As with their approach in the first half Derby came out of the blocks quickly in the second only to be hit in the solar plexus with a Neves wonder strike in the 50th minute. As Derby attempted to clear their lines following a corner from the left, Wolves’ talismanic midfielder collected the ball on the D. Though slightly going backwards he managed to retain his balance before volleying a dipping shot into the top left hand corner. Like an Exocet it gave Carson no chance and was the nerve settling goal that essentially settled game. Thereafter Wolves continued their dominance and not just in terms of ball retention. With Jota back to form and Helda Costa replacing Afobe they offered a constant counter attacking threat. As for Derby, though Tom Huddlestone and Andreas Weimann tried their best, little fruit did it bear as John Ruddy remained untroubled in the Wolves goal.

It has often been said that to escape the Championship a side needs physical grit ahead of technical skill. Though sound at the back, this current Wolves side has turned that theory on its head.

Wolves: Ruddy 6, Bennett 7, Coady 7, Boly 7, Doherty 8, Douglas 7, Neves 8, Saiss 7, Afobe 6 Sub Costa, Jota 8 Sub Bonatini, Cavaleiro 6 Sub Gibbs White

Derby County: Carson 6, Wisdom 6, Pierce 6, Davies 6, Baird 6, Huddleston 7, Ledley 6 Sub Palmer, Weimann 7, Vydra 6 Sub Hanson, Lawrence 6, Nugent 5 Sub Jerome

Attendance: 28,503

Referee: Tim Robinson 9

©Mark Brennand