Underpar Wolves sunk by doughty Canaries

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 v Norwich City 1

Since the last time these two sides locked horns, Norwich City Manager Dean Smith has greatly improved on the previously sieve-like qualities of his side’s defence. Added to which the Canaries have managed to win crucial games against those around them. Result; they have finally emerged from under the rock of relegation into the light of potential survival. As for Wolves they too have been on a good run which has seen them consolidate their position in the top half of the league. So, with league responsibilities temporarily shelved, the prospects for a free-flowing Fourth Round FA Cup tie was much anticipated.

A full half into the game and free flowing was not a description that one could ascribe to all that had preceded it. In fact the body language of the chap in front of me, slumped in his chair arms firmly folded, seemed to say it all. Wolves were anaemic and it was the visitors who had fashioned the only decent chances of the half, Adam Idah being denied by John Ruddy in minute 15 when he should probably have scored and then the same player creating space before firing weakly at Ruddy in minute 42. Four minutes later the visitors made Wolves pay when Billy Gilmore’s in-swinging free kick from the left found Kenny McLean, whose header looped over everyone to settle in the home side’ net.

One felt that a half time hairdryer had been administered for from the start of the second half Wolves played with much more intent. A three-minute spell beginning in minute 53 should have seen them equalise but it was not to be. First the inconsistent Daniel Podence struck the inside of a Norwich post the ball rebounding, somewhat fortuitously, into the hands of Michael McGovern. A minute later Nelson Semedo cut inside and from inside the D his shot was well saved by McGovern. Thirty seconds later Ruben Neves fed a well-placed Podence who rather than fire first time took an initial touch and in that second the chance was squandered.

Nobody could fault the home side’s effort. It’s just that whatever they tried it didn’t come off as Norwich fought bravely whilst also testing the crowd’s patience with some blatant time wasting. So much so that when the time added on board was raised there was a bewildered cry of “four”. It felt like it should have been “eight” but given how few chances Wolves had fashioned it probably wouldn’t have made any difference.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ruddy 6, Semedo 6, Kilman 8, Coady 6, Gomes 6 Sub Jimenez, Ait Nouri 7, Dendoncker 6 Sub Tomas Oliveira, Moutinho 6, Neves 7, Silva 6, Podence 6.

Norwich City: McGovern 7, Byram 6, Hanley 7, Gibson 7, Williams 6, Lees-Melou 6, Gilmour 7 Sub Dowell, McLean 6 Sub Normann, Placheta 6, Idah 6 Sub Pukki, Rashica 6 Sub Rowe

Attendance: 30,736

Referee: D Coote 7

©Mark Brennand