Ugly win edges Wolves closer to safety
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Crystal Palace 0
When, in 2011, Patrick Vieira finally hung up his boots following a glittering playing career, the move into management was a natural next step. His first role was as head of Manchester City’s Academy where he spent two years before taking the reins at Major League Soccer club New York City FC. He followed that with a further two years at Ligue 1 Club Nice before Crystal Palace came calling. The middle ranking south London club appeared to offer the perfect berth. A chance to develop a young talented squad of players whilst maintaining a relatively low profile. And up until Christmas 2022, all was going to plan. Vieira’s young side were fairing well and his physical presence, allied to a calm understated persona, made him a man to keep an eye on.
That was until the new year dawned and everything started to unravel. In his final twelve league games in charge Vieira managed a meagre five points from a possible 36. His last game on the 19th March, a 4-1 defeat - ironically away at Arsenal - was the final straw. Out he went to be replaced by, of all people, Roy Hodgson. Somewhat remarkably the 74 year old has turned things around winning three and drawing one of the four games he has been in charge. How can that be when he’s dealing with essentially the same group of players? Had Vieira become cowed by the pressure which by turns sapped the confidence of his players? Has Woy just got lucky? Who knows. Either way for a Wolves side still dallying over its Premier League survival, a resurgent Crystal Palace were not the most welcome of visitors to Molineux on a cool April evening.
Whilst that may be true the game had barely got going when in the second minute, Diego Costa forced a corner following a good attempt on goal. From the ensuing cross Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen failed to deal with the in-swinging delivery, conveniently using his knee to deflect the ball into the Crystal Palace net. Yet confusion reigned, as even the announcer seemed incapable of identifying to whom it should be credited. Two minutes later the home side could have been two up had Nelson Semedo’s pull back from the bye line found a Wolves boot. But it didn’t and for the remainder of the half Wolves, though the better side, failed to create anything of note and could have conceded in minute 38 but for an excellent save by Jose Sa from Albert Sambi Lokonga.
One to the good at half time, the Old Gold were a mere forty-five minutes from safety. Yet the mere acknowledgement of that fact meant that a nervous second half was guaranteed. Which more than proved to be the case as the home side sat back allowing Crystal Palace into the game. In Eberechi Eze and Michael Olisi they have two talented footballers who can both beat players and pass the ball quickly into dangerous areas. Building a head of steam on 72 minutes Eze’s fine strike was deflected wide. From the ensuing corner he collected the ball on the edge of the box before another good effort was deflected wide for a corner. Thankfully on the third occasion Sa collected and with that the sustained threat dissipated.
Wolves continued to strive without really threatening, the nerve settling second goal remaining a distant prospect. That was until the third minute of time added on when the recently introduced Pedro Neto made the most of a strong challenge in the box by Sam Johnstone enticing referee Robert Jones to point to the penalty spot. Step forward Ruben Neves whose penalty was a beauty and as it hit the net the relief in stands was palpable.
Another season of Premier League football? I think so.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 7, Semedo 7, Dawson 7, Kilman 7, Bueno 8 Sub Gomez, Lemina 6, Neves 8, Costa 7 Sub Collins, Hee-Chang 6 Sub Traore, Nunes 6 Sub Netom Cunha 5 Sub Joao Gomez
Crystal Palace: Johnstone 6, Richards 6, Andersen 5 Sub Ward, Guehi 6, Mitchell 6, Sambi Lokonga 6 Sub Edouard, Milivojevic 6 Sub Schlupp, Hughes 6 Sub Mateta, Olise 7, Ayew 6, Eze 7
Attendance: 30,792
Referee: Robert Jones 7
©Mark Brennand