Wolves salvage draw
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 v Bristol City 3
Had this been a boxing contest over ten rounds Wolves would have won on points. They edged all the extraneous numbers; possession 56% to 44%, shots, 21 to 12, shots on target 6 to 4 and even corners, 9 to 8. But in the only column that matters they came up evens a fact that they no doubt regret.
First off, in marked contrast to Saturday’s rather soporific affair, this was a thrilling contest. It had everything. Good football, honest endeavour, refereeing blunders, heated exchanges, a touch line scuffle and six goals. And from the off Wolves dominated affairs playing slick passing football the like of which I have not seen in a long time. Indeed after twenty five minutes of total domination I leaned forward and said the chap in front of me “Who are the team playing in Old Gold?” Two minutes later Alfred N’Diaye, who had impressed throughout and looks a real prospect, stole a march on the Bristol City defensive line. Composing himself on the bye line, rather than blasting the ball across the box he picked out Ruben Vinagre at the back post. Vinagre shot back towards goal his strike being guided in by Leo Bonatini from just inside the six yard box.
The goal was fully deserved but rather than push on Wolves allowed Bristol a toe hold in the game and for the next fifteen minutes the visitors spent more time in the Wolves half than their own. With two minutes of the half remaining Wolves conceded a corner which they failed to clear, the ball ending with Aden Flint whose shot was deflected into the net.
No doubt wounded by conceding late in the half, Wolves started the second in the same vein as the first, Ivan Cavaleiro particularly. Just a shame that too often he chooses the wrong option, a case in point being in minute 52 when rather than strike on goal he chose to round the keeper, who forced him away from danger. However, from the ensuing corner the ball dropped to Diogo Jota who slotted home from close range.
The lead was short lived for within four minutes Bristol had been awarded a penalty following a dubious handball by Vinagre. From the spot Famara Diedhiou side footed home. Thereafter referee Steve Martin was in danger of losing the game a series of ill judged decisions causing consternation in the stands. Thankfully the players chose to concentrate on the game rather than kicking one another and control was gradually restored. Wolves continue to strive and on 71 minutes Cavaleiro flashed a low ball across the six yard box which evaded everyone and three minutes later Jota crashed a volley against the bar. Then just as we were getting an announcement about the evening’s attendance, Bristol scored from a corner, Bobby Reid poking home from inside the six yard box.
Roused by the home support Wolves fought back and on 82 minutes won yet another corner. Taken by substitute Ben Marshall he drove it in at pace to the penalty spot from where Danny Batth headed home in fine style. Thereafter the ding dong theme continued until the death.
Thrilling game but for Wolves, two points dropped.
Wolves: Ruddy 6, Batth 7, Coady 6, Miranda 6 Sub Saiss, Doherty 7, Vinagre 7, Cavaleiro 7 Sub Enobakhare, Neves 6 Sub Marshall, N’Diaye 7, Jota 7, Bonatini 6,
Bristol City: Fielding 7, White 6, Flint 6, Baker 6, Bryan 7, O’Dowda 6, Smith 7, Brownhill 6 Sub Paterson, Leko 7 Sub Taylor, Diedhiou 6 Sub Pack, Reid 7
Attendance: 23,045
Referee: Steve Martin 7
©Mark Brennand