Wolves punished for sitting back

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Norwich City 2

Norwich; ancient Norman stronghold with a splendid cathedral and latterly home to Colman’s mustard and Delia’s Bar and Grill. The woman who taught us how to cook an egg is also the main shareholder at Carrow Road, which in recent years has been home to a side whose fortunes have waxed and waned. They are currently on the wane, stuck in mid table mediocrity some 27 points adrift of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Yet, for much of the second half, it was the mid table mediocre’s who bossed the game and their equalizing goal - albeit arriving in the final minute of time added on - did not much surprise.

For Wolves the game was a mirror image of their last home performance v QPR. Only this time they were punished for sitting back too much allowing the visitors time and space to play their own game. Yes Nelson Oliveira’s wonder strike from 30 yards was not something that happens very often but the portents had been there for some while as Norwich probed for an opening.

And as with the game v QPR it had all started so well when in the 13th minute Diogo Jota pounced on a defensive error before firing his shot against the post from where Jamal Lewis could only deflect it into his own net. Some ten minutes later Alfred N’Diaye doubled the home side’s lead heading in from an inswinging Barry Douglas corner.

The game looked set for a comfortable home win. Only Norwich had other plans for within a minute of the restart Christophe Zimmerman had himself headed in from a James Maddison free kick.

Thereafter Wolves huffed and puffed the clearest opportunity coming in the 81st minute when Morgan Gibbs White twisted and turned in the box before being closed down when the better option would have been to feed Jota who was free. However the lad can play, a couple of minutes later performing a brilliant turn in the box to nearly create an opening for Benik Afobe who had earlier replaced Ivan Cavaleiro. Why I know not since the on loan striker adds nothing to the current line-up and is only causing confusion in Nuno’s thinking.

It’s never over ‘til the fat lady sings. Third placed Villa are still thirteen points adrift. Some composure is required.

Wolves: Ruddy 6, Bennett 8, Coady 6, Bolly 6, Doherty 6, Douglas 6, N’Diaye 6 Sub Gibbs White, Neves 6, Costa 6 Sub Saiss 6, Cavaleiro 6 Sub Afobe, Jota 7

Norwich City: Gunn 6, Hanly 6, Zimmerman 7, Klose 6, Reed 6, Leitner 6, Vrancic 6 Sub Hernandez, Lewis 7, Maddison 7, Watkins 6 Sub Murphy, Srbeny 6 Sub Oliveira

Attendance: 29,100

Referee: James Linnington 8

©Mark Brennand