Wolves extend winning run

Wolves 1 v Nottingham Forest 0

Like Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest possess a degree of footballing pedigree. And like Wolverhampton Wanderers they have spent most of this century performing in football’s second tier. Both clubs currently find themselves in the bottom half of the Championship and, though this was far from a tedious encounter, signs were few that either side possesses the wherewithal to affect an imminent escape.

I think it was Graham Taylor who said that it takes only a second to score a goal. Well it took less than a minute to decide this game minute 61 being the defining sixty seconds. Though up to this point Wolves had dominated possession they had failed to convert the numerous chances they had created. And in minute 61 they found themselves somewhat stretched in their own half, trying to repel a Nottingham Forest counter attack. You know you are stretched when Ivan Cavaleiro finds himself as the last line of defence clattering into goalkeeper Andy Lonergan as a cross evaded both of them. It fell to Britt Assombalonga who side footed his effort towards what appeared an empty net. Then, from nowhere, appeared Conor Coady to clear it off the line, the ball ricocheting to Lonergan who was now back on his feet albeit facing his own goal mouth. It was the most amazing escape.

Within ten seconds Wolves had swept the ball down the pitch to Andreas Wiemann. Advancing into the Nottingham Forest box his square pass found Nouha Dicko who side footed home from inside the six yard box, goal drought finally ended. It marked a full stop on the most remarkable passage of play.

But it did not end there. All night long David Vaughan had provided a pivot around which Nottingham Forest revolved and in time added on he prompted an opening for Jamie Ward whose effort was well saved by Lonergan. In times past Wolves would have let their advantage slip but improved organisation added to a modicum of luck is now keeping their head above water.

The result leaves the Old Gold eleven points above the relegation zone. Might one suggest that safety has been secured?

Wolves: Lonergan 7, Coady 6, Batth 6, Hause 7, Doherty 6, Evans 6, Edwards 6, Marshall 7 Sub Saiss, Cavaleiro 6 Sub Gibbs White, Weimann 6, Dicko 6 Sub Bodvarsson

Nottingham Forest: Smith 6, Mancienne 6, Mills 6, Fox 6, Traore 6, Cohen 6, Vaughan 7, Clough 7, Osborn 6 Sub Carayol, Brereton 6 Sub Vellios, Assombalonga 6 Sub Ward

Attendance: 21,408

Referee: James Linington 7

©Mark Brennand