Wolves march on

Wolverhampton Wanderers 4 v Leeds United 1

Two nil up at half time Wolves were cruising to yet another convincing home win. Goals by Barry Douglas, an excellent curling free kick, and a fine solo effort by the lively Ivan Cavaleiro, were just reward for a fine first half performance.

Then, with barely two minutes of the second half gone, a fine curling cross from Samuel Saiz was met on the volley by Ezgjan Alioski and from his left boot the ball flew passed John Ruddy into the Wolves net. Where once all was calm, now things were edgy, as the home side sat back allowing Leeds to gain a tentative foothold in the game. And with half an hour still to go twenty odd years of watching Wolves from the Billy Quiet prompted a Pavlovian “we are in for a nervous half hour”.

Almost immediately Ronaldo Vieira was dismissed for a second bookable offence and the tension somewhat subsided. Then, in the 71st minute, Diogo Jota found himself with a free run on goal. This man is a class act not only in the way that he carries the ball but also in his timing of a pass and his finishing, which can be clinical. It was here for, as former Wolves keeper Andy Lonergan advanced from his line, Jota chipped the ball over him and into the net. It was a sublime finish and calmed nerves in toto. Two minutes later Lonergan brought Leo Bonatani crashing to the ground and from the ensuing penalty Helda Costa fired the ball home to claim his first goal of the season.

Though Leeds United are one of the more favoured teams in the Championship, Wolves made them look ordinary. Dare I say it’s becoming a bit of a theme.

Wolves: Ruddy 6, Elliot 6, Coady 7, Boly 6, Douglas 7, Doherty 6, Saiss 8 Sub N’Diaye, Neves 7 Sub Price, Cavaleiro 8 Sub Costa, Jota 8, Bonatini 6

Leeds United: Lonergan 6, Ayling 6, Jansson 6, Cooper 6, Berardi 6, Vieira 5, Phillips 6, Alioski 6, Saiz 7 Sub Dallas, Hernandez 6 Sub O’Kane, Roofe 6 Sub Ekuban

Attendance: 28,914

Ref: Geoff Eltringham 9

©Mark Brennand