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Premiership Season 2009-10 Aug 2009 Sept 2009 Oct 2009 Nov 2009 Dec 2009 Jan 2010 Feb 2010 Mar 2010 Apr 2010 May 2010 pre-season
Sat 27th Feb Bolton 1 (Knight 45) Wolves 0 KO 3pm Wooden at both ends. Both Dave Jones and Kevin Foley struck the woodwork, as did a header from Jody Craddock to deny Wolves at least a point, but it was Craddock and his other centre half Christophe Berra, who seems to be having worse and worse games, who stood marking each other in the six yard box while our centre forward was on the line trying to stop Zat Knight's pass into the net. Adlene was playing at right back when Lee got his cross in. Foley tried to close it down but was way off. So where had our back four gone. The score would have been a lot worse if it hadn't been for Hahnemann.
A goal in first-half stoppage time condemned unlucky Wolves to defeat against fellow relegation fighters Bolton. With Mick McCarthy's men hitting the inside of the post twice during the second period, few would argue that the visitors weren't worthy of a point. But it wasn't to be. Wolves were unchanged for the third consecutive game as Bolton kicked-off attacking the end of the Reebok Stadium that housed almost 4,000 travelling fans. Inside the first minute Kevin Doyle was fouled by Zat Knight to the left of the home area. Matt Jarvis touched the free-kick to Dave Jones but his centre was cleared. Three Wolves corners in a chanceless opening 15 minutes were all cleared without too much difficulty by the home defence and when Marcus Hahnemann was tested he had easily saved a low shot from Chung-Yong Lee.Lee then broke clear on a right but his attempted cross was both high and wide of the near post. Jones chipped a shot over the far angle of Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal before Stuart Holden hammered a long range effort well wide at the other end. But Hahnemann had to be at his best to beat away a 25th minute snapshot from Johan Elmander who was stationed just inside the Wolves area when the ball broke to him. Three minutes later Bolton won their first corner off the game and almost took the lead from it after Stephen Ward had turned behind Holden's cross. Holden took the flag-kick himself and Hahnemann had to beat the ball away after Kevin Davies had latched onto Chrisophe Berra's half clearance and shot at goal. Still the danger wasn't cleared and Almander looked on to score as he ran in on the loose ball but Jody Craddock threw himself in the way of Swede's drive. Wolves responded with a fierce effort from Jarvis that Jaaskelainen was happy to turn behind at his near post. Hahnemann was almost deceived by a Holden free-kick that bounced and was heading for the top corner until the keeper got his fingertips to it.In the 42nd minute Craddock's near post header from a Jones corner had the home team struggling to clear their lines but it was Bolton that took the lead in the one minute of added time at the end of the half.Gretar Steinsson's header from Jack Wilshere's corner looked to be going wide. But Lee kept the ball in play and beat Adlene Guedioura as he ran in along the by-line before crossing low to Knight who netted from two-yards out. Half-Time: Bolton 1 Wolves 0 Seconds after the resumption loud home appeals for a penalty for hands against Ronald Zubar were waved aside and then a mistake by Karl Henry saw Fabrice Muamba breaking clear. He slipped the ball to Davies who fired straight at Hahnemann. The next time that the ball went out of play, Henry went into the book for his attempt to pull back Muamba. A great run by Doyle opened up the home defence but Sam Ricketts managed to clear before the woodwork came to Bolton's rescue in the 59th minute. Paul Robinson fouled Jones some 25-yards out and when the midfielder took the free-kick his effort hit the inside of Jaaskelainen's left-hand post and rebounded behind the fortunate keeper rolling along the line before being cleared. Midway through the half, Ricketts came to Bolton's rescue once more with another vital block - this time from Jarvis who had used his speed to good effect as he darted into the home area from wide on the left. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was a 68th minute replacement for Guedioura just before Wolves had another sign that this just wasn't going to be their day as Kevin Foley struck an angled shot that hit the inside of Jaaskelainen's other post. The ball rolled across the face of goal before being cleared. Jarvis had another shot blocked after he had been set up by Doyle before Andy Keogh made his return to first team action when he came on for Foley in the 73rd minute. Within seconds of his introduction, Keogh was booked for a late challenge on Robinson. Bolton substitute Ivan Klasnic was wide with a first time shot after Wilshere had squared a pass to him. But most of the play in the closing minutes was centered on the opposite end where Wolves were up against a massed home defence that withstood the pressure to take the spoils. Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Robinson, Muamba, Elmander (Klasnic 65), Knight, Davies (capt), Steinsson, Ricketts, Holden, Lee (Weiss 90), Wilshere (Taylor 82). Unused subs: Riga, Cohen, Habsi, O'Brien. Wolves: Hahnemann, Zubar, Ward, Guedioura (Ebanks-Blake 68), Craddock, Berra, Foley (Keogh 73), Henry (capt), Doyle, Jones, Jarvis. Unused subs: Hennessey, Elokobi, Vokes, Milkijaš, Mancienne. Bookings: Henry (47 - foul), Keogh (73 - foul). Referee: A. Marriner. Attendance: 21,261. As it happened ~http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1979071,00.html 0: Atmosphere building at the Reebok. Wolves had sold almost 3,700 tickets and a few extras on the day could take the following close to the 4,000 mark. Teams not out yet. 0: Teams walk out. Referee today is Andre Marriner. He of the ~Stephen Ward sending off at Anfield. 0: Underway. 1: Early pressure from Bolton with Lee sending in a cross but Hahnemann takes it cleanly. 2: Wolves now win a free kick after Knight fouls Doyle and Jarvis takes to Jones who flicks up and fires into the area but it's dealt with comfortably. 4: "There's only one Wanderers" booming out from the Wolves fans stationed behind Hahnemann's goal. 5: Jones takes and retrieves a throw-in and plays the ball back to Zubar whose cross is diverted behind by Ricketts. Jones takes the corner and it's a good one, Davies though doing enough at the near post to beat Berra to the ball. 8: Doyle breaks for Wolves and tries to play in Jarvis. The winger gets there first before Jaaskelainen but is at full stretch and can only hammer the ball into the crowd. 10: Nice work from Guedioura, Foley and Zubar and the latter's driven cross is put behind by Knight. Another good corner from Jones but Jaaskelainen punches clear. 12: Long throw from Bolton partially cleared and Muamba helps it back into the danger zone and not far from goal but taken by Hahnemann. 16: Great move from Bolton with interplay between Elmander, Davies and Lee finishing with Elmander hitting a low drive which Hahnemann saves. 19: Doyle away from the Bolton defence and sends in a low cross bound for Foley but Ricketts makes the interception. 23: Wilshere on the run for Bolton and squares it to Holden whose shot is well wide. 23: Rousing reception for Keogh as he warms up for Wolves. 24: Another corner for Wolves won by Doyle. Swung in towards the back post where Jaaskelainen gets a none too convincing touch but it goes against Zubar and out for a goal kick. 25: Ward flies in to win a powerful header against Lee. But referee Marriner awards a free kick. ~Mick McCarthy annoyed on the touchline. Ward seems to upset this referee. 26: Bit of pinball in and around the Wolves area finishes with Elmander firing in a good shot which Hahnemann parries away. Best sight of goal so far. 27: Another Wolves corner and another one that's cleared, Jaaskelainen punching away under pressure from Zubar. 30: All hail King Craddock. Berra's back header is straight to Davies eight yards out. Striker takes a touch and his effort is smothered by Hahnemann but the ball drops to Elmander. With the goal gaping Craddock is in with a fantastic challenge to block the shot. 30: Wolves straight onto the offensive and a fierce shot from the angle from Jarvis beaten behind by Jaaskelainen. 32: Craddock unhappy to be penalised for a foul on Davies and makes his point to the referee. 32: Holden's free kick from the left is curling round and doesn't get a touch from anyone but bounces up towards the top corner forcing Hahnemann into a fine save. 33: Doyle clears Holden's corner but the ball comes back in, is cleared again to Davies whose first time volley is wide. 37: Long range effort from Jones bounces and swerves in front of Jaaskelainen but the Bolton keeper deals with it. 42: How many corners have Wolves won this half? Another as Steinsson clears Foley's centre. 43: And Wolves go very close from another pinpoint Jones delivery. Craddock gets a touch at the near post but it's blocked either by the post or Muamba. 45: Another good chance for Bolton as Wolves struggle to clear their lines. Eventually needs Henry and Craddock to combine to divert Wilshere's effort over. 45+1: GOAL: KNIGHT 1-0. Steinsson's header to a corner is off target. But the ball is kept alive and in play by Lee who cuts inside and crosses for Knight to tap home from close range. Dreadful timing for Wolves. HALF TIME: BOLTON 1-0 WOLVES 46: Back underway. 46: Big handball appeal for penalty for Bolton as Davies's attempted pass hits Zubar. Replay shows it could certainly have been given. 47: Muamba dispossesses Henry and plays in Davies whose low shot is straight at Hahnemann. Wolves not out of the traps yet. 48: Stoppage for Henry to receive treatment. Skipper appears to have taken a blow to the head. Is o-k to continue though. 56: Good break from Doyle down the left but his low cross finds no one in the right area and Ricketts can clear. 58: Robinson fouls Jones 30 yards out. 59: Agony for Wolves. Superb free kick from Jones beats Jaaskelainen but hits the inside of the post and rolls across just in front of the goal-line. 63: Wolves enjoying some possession without finding a way through and Bolton almost hit them on the break, Holden striking a shot which Hahnemann takes. ~ 64: Change for Bolton with Klasnic on for Elmander. 66: Great ball from Doyle and great run into the box from Jarvis. His shot is deflected over by Ricketts but a suggestion Jarvis might have been impeded from the back by Steinsson. 67: Corner causes one or two nervous moments for Bolton but the ball ends up with Jaaskelainen. 68: Change for Wolves with Ebanks-Blake on for Guedioura. Looks like a switch to 4-4-2. 70: Another Wolves corner as Ebanks-Blake puts Knight under pressure but Jarvis's flag kick is easily claimed by Jaaskelainen. 71: This doesn't get much worse. Foley takes down a ball inside the box and sends in a superb shot but this bounces off the inside of the other post and to safety. 72: Bolton almost capitalise with Klasnic playing a one-two with Davies which sends him away but Hahnemann makes the stop. 73: Change with Keogh on for Foley. Keogh's first appearance since coming off the bench at Chelsea in November. First action is a flying challenge on Robinson which earns him a yellow card. 75: Davies gets his header to the free kick but it's over. 79: Nothing dropping for Wolves today. And Bolton break with Wilshere finding Klasnic whose first time volley flashes inches wide. 81: Taylor on for Wilshere for Bolton. 82: Great work from Jarvis down the left again but his cross is cleared by Ricketts. 83: Bolton break again and Lee chips back to Muamba who fires high and wide. 84: Berra knees a through ball back to Hahnemann but his first team clearance is straight at Klasnic whose first time header is just wide as Hahnemann scampers back to his goal. 87: Wolves win a free kick in the midfield area and everyone's forward but Jones's kick sails through to Jaaskelainen. 90: Three minutes of added time to follow. And Bolton have the ball deep in Wolves' half. 90+3: Taylor fires over from the angle. 90+3: Sub for Bolton, Weiss for Lee. FULL TIME: BOLTON 1-0 WOLVES
Bolton Knight ( 46) 1 - 0 Wolves Final Possession (%) 53 47 Shots on target 9 4 Shots off target 7 2 Corners 7 11 Fouls 10 6 Most fouls Robinson 3 Doyle 1 Yellow cards 0 2Half Time Bolton Knight ( 46) 1 - 0 Wolves Possession (%) 34 66 Shots on target 6 3 Shots off target 2 0 Corners 6 7 Fouls 6 3 Davies Most fouls Davies 2 Ward 1 After 20 minutes Possession (%) 32 68 Shots on target 0 0 Shots off target 0 0 Corners 0 2 Fouls 2 1 Most fouls Davies 1 Zubar 1
Sat 20th Feb Wolves 0 Chelsea 2 (Drogba 40, 67 ) KO 3pm So, is it a good idea to leave Didier Drogba to run between the two centre backs when he is faster and stronger? Answers on a postcard to Messrs Berra and Craddock. Marcus H may also have a view. As may Wardy for the first goal. Another impressive start from Adlene Guedioura with a cracking shot which brought a brilliant save from Petr Cech, and he stood no nonsense from the Chelsea midfield. Yet again a MoM performance from Kevin Doyle. With Dave Jones again putting on a top notch performance. Berra had a very bad second half - three big errors. Zubar was pretty good while the three subs had a mixed 15 minutes - Greg Halford poor on the ball but outstanding when throwing it, SEB had one decent attack, and Geoffrey Mujangi Bia didn’t quite torment the young Chelsea right back as well as Jarvo had done.
Wolves 0 Chelsea 2 (Drogba 40, 67) A double from Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a somewhat flattering 2-0 victory over a determined Wolves side at Molineux. Whilst home keeper Marcus Hahnemann didn't have a save of note to make in the 90 minutes, his counterpart, Petr Cech, was in fine form. Wolves, who were unchanged for the visit of the Premier League leaders, kicked-off attacking the South Bank end of a packed stadium. The first goal attempt came from Michael Ballack whose header was well wide after he had connected with Yury Zhirkov's centre from the left. For Wolves a low cross from Kevin Foley was cleared by John Terry who, after recent publicity, was getting plenty of stick from the crowd. A foul by Paulo Ferreira on Adlene Guedioura wide on the Wolves left led to a Matt Jarvis free-kick but the ball went over the heads of everyone and out on the far side for a goal kick. In the 15th minute Kevin Doyle cut in from the left and sprinted past three Chelsea players before hitting a shot on the turn that Cech dived to save. Seconds later the visitors were close to opening their account. Zhirkov's cross landed at the feet of Drogba whose shot bounced away off Jody Craddock to Nicolas Anelka. He teed the ball up for Ballack but the German midfielder fired high over the bar. Wolves responded with an effort from Foley that flew into the side netting after he had taken a pass from Doyle. The two combined again shortly afterwards when Doyle connected with Foley's throw-in and hit a shot that Cech turned aside at the near post. Branislav Ivanovic cleared Jones's corner. Guedioura looked to have won the ball when he tackled Joe Cole to the left of the Wolves box but Foley was on hand to clear from Florent Malouda after the referee awarded a free-kick. Ballack fired over following a corner from Malouda, and Cech saved a low shot from Jarvis as Dave Jones ran in looking for a slip from the keeper. After Ivanovic had fouled Doyle some 25-yards out, Karl Henry touched the free-kick to Jones who curled a shot over the wall but wide. Then Jarvis touched a pass to Stephen Ward who shot over from just inside the Chelsea area. Five minutes before the break Chelsea moved into the lead. Zhirkov exchanged passes with Ballack as he ran into the box before hitting a low centre that Drogba bundled over the line from six-yards. Half-Time: Wolves 0 Chelsea 1 The second-half was two minutes old when Jarvis hit a centre over the head of Craddock. Then the winger found Guedioura who hit a terrific volley that, unfortunately, went straight to Cech who knocked the ball away. In the 58th minute, shortly after Chelsea had introduced Jeffrey Bruma in place of Zhirkov, Ivanovic appeared to hold back Doyle who would have otherwise been clear. But the referee waved play on. Jones was then fouled by Ballack near the left hand corner flag. The free-kick was lofted into the middle but cleared without too much difficulty. But the Stamford Bridge side were fortunate in the 63rd minute after Christophe Berra had headed on a Hahnemann clearance. Terry completely missed his kick and the ball ran through to Foley who was denied by Chec's reflex block. The loose ball ran to Henry who fired towards goal but didn't appear to make a clean strike allowing Terry to get back and clear from in front of the line. Ballack was shown the yellow card after delaying a free-kick, before Chelsea went two up in the 71st minute. Drogba fastened onto Chec's clearance and he held off Berra and headed it beyond Hahnemann before slotting a low, left foot shot into the empty net. Wolves went from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 after making a treble switch in the 77th minute with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Greg Halford and Geoffrey Bia Mujangi replacing Jones, Foley and Jarvis respectively. Halford was soon unleashing his long throws and from one of them Doyle managed to get a shot in, despite slipping, but Chec watched the ball go wide. Ronald Zunbar got back just in time turning the ball behind just as Anelka was about to pull the trigger. Shortly before the end, Terry cleared off the line as Halford's throw-in flicked off the head of Craddock. Wolves: Hahnemann, Zubar, Ward, Guedioura, Craddock, Berra, Foley (Halford 77), Henry (capt), Doyle, Jones (Ebanks-Blake 77), Jarvis (Mujangi Bia 77). Unused subs: Hennessey, Elokobi, Vokes, Milkijaš. Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, Drogba, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Zhirkov (Bruma 56), Ferreira, Terry (capt), Anelka. Unused subs: Hilario, Kalou, Sturridge, Matic, Kakuta, Borini. Booking: Ballack (64 - delaying free-kick). Referee: K. Friend. Attendance: 28,978. Stats Goals : 0 2 Possession : 42% 58% Shots On Target : 7 2 Shots Off Target : 4 5 Corners : 1 5 Fouls : 12 14 Most Fouls : Guedioura (4) Malouda (3) Yellow Cards : 0 1 Red Cards : 0 0 Scorers : Drogba 40, 67 0: Unchanged for Wolves. Chelsea missing a few through injury and illness but that's not a bad side is it?! 0: Off and running. 4: First effort on goal and it's from Chelsea. A spot of keep-ball on the edge of the area and eventually Zhirkov sends a cross in which Ballack heads over. 8: No other major incident as yet. Chelsea enjoying plenty of possession but Wolves standing firm. 11: Zhirkov breaks down the left and sends in a cross but Craddock puts it out for a corner. Taken short to Cole who swings it in but Foley heads away at the far post. 12: Guedioura again showing some positive forward momentum and brought down by Ferreira on the left. Jarvis sends in the free kick but just too deep for Zubar. 15: Superb run from Doyle from the left hand side and in and past three Chelsea defenders before a low shot taken well by Cech low to his right. 16: And Chelsea try and respond immediately. Drogba directs a cross goalwards but Craddock blocks and Anelka lays it off for Ballack to fire over. 17: Things livening up as Doyle plays Foley in down the right. From an acute angle Foley's cross-cum-shot finds the side netting. 20: Great work from Foley in winning a throw-in and taking it quickly to Doyle whose shot on the turn is turned around the post by Cech. Great inswinging corner from Jones which headed away by Ivanovic with Craddock in close attention. 24: Extravagant dive from Cole after being clipped by Guedioura. Yes a foul but not sure about the theatrics. 26: Free kick won by Foley on the right swung in by Jones but taken well by Cech. 27: Switches to the other end with Chelsea winning a corner. Headed clear by Foley and Ballack fires marginally over. 30: Half chance for Wolves as Jones works the ball out to Jarvis. He steps inside and shoots low at Cech but it's comfortably gathered. 32: Decent littel free kick routine for Wolves as Henry tees up Jones and it's a decent strike but well wide of the target. 34: Cole awarded a corner. But replays show he hit the ball straight out. Poor decision. Terry almost gets the end of the corner but Jones across to deny the shot. 37: Jarvis feeds Ward inside the box and the full back appears caught between a cross or shot and fires the ball over. 40: GOAL: DROGBA 0-1. It hadn't really been coming, but Chelsea show their quality to break the deadlock. Zhirkov plays a one-two down the left with Ballack and fires across goal where Drogba has swept in at the far post to convert. 42: Chelsea win a free kick in the middle of the park and it looks another poor decision from referee Friend. Mikel went in to try and win a header with his head down but it's Jones who gets penalised for high feet. Strange. 45: One minute added time to follow. 45: Half time and Wolves applauded off but it's the visitors who have made the breakthrough. HALF TIME: WOLVES 0-1 CHELSEA 45: Back underway. 47: Wolves with the first attack as Jarvis sends a cross in but it's too high for Craddock and goes out for a goal-kick. 50: Foley dispossessed by Cole and Chelsea launch another break. Try and work the ball through to Malouda but Henry in with the interception. 54: Zubar down after an aerial challenge with Anelka. Nothing untoward but he appeared to fall awkwardly. 55: Wolves so close to an equaliser. Jarvis works a bit of space on the left and sends in a deep cross which is met with a volley from Guedioura which produces a superb save from Cech. 56: Change for Chelsea - Bruma on for Zhirkov. 58: Doyle down under challenge from Ivanovic and no foul given. Doyle, and the crowd, not happy. Doyle shows Ivanovic his shirt as if to suggest he may want a piece of it! Replay shows Ivanovic had arm round Doyle to bring him down. 59: And now Chelsea get a decision. Referee Friend not exactly dispelling the notion of big teams getting all the decisions at ~Molineux and the crowd making their feelings known to that effect. 62: Now it's ironic applause time as Jones fouled by Mikel and the free kick is given. Out on the left. 63: Free kick flicked up and Jones fires it in but cleared. 63: Wolves back in with Foley found down the right and through on goal after Terry misses his kick but another marvellous stop from Cech. Henry tries to get on the follow-up but can't get a decent connection on the ball and Terry clears. 64: Ballack goes into the book following the award of a Wolves free kick, possibly for dissent. 65: Mix-up between Ward and Berra and the ball finds Anelka but his shot is wide. Was deflected off Berra but goal kick given. Works both ways! 67: GOAL: DROGBA 0-2. Chelsea extend their lead and this time it's pure simplicity. Cech goal kick, Drogba holds off Berra and heads the ball around Hahnemann before converting into the empty net. Three touches from one end to the other. 76: Triple switch for Wolves. Mujangi, Ebanks-Blake and Halford all on for Jarvis, Foley and Jones. 77: Wolves to 4-4-2 with Ebanks-Blake alongside Doyle and Halford and Mujangi on either flank. 79: Couple of Halford long throws give Chelsea something to think about. From the second Doyle turns and despite twice slipping gets a shot on which Cech watches wide. 80: Superb pass with the outside of Cole's foot sends Anelka away and it needs a well-timed Zubar challenge to nick the ball away with his French compatriot otherwise through on goal. 82: Drogba gets his head to a cross but it's onto the roof of the net. 85: Henry sticks a free kick into the box and Berra heads on but it's straight through to Cech. 86: Crowd today is 28, 978. 87: Corner to Chelsea comes back into the area but Wolves clear and in the process Guedioura is fouled. 89: Almost a goal for Wolves. Craddock beats Cech to get his head to Halford's throw and Terry clears off the line. 90: Three minutes added time to follow. FULL TIME: WOLVES 0-2 CHELSEA REF WATCH (Times on line)
Tue 9th Feb Wolves Spurs KO 7.45pm Double D for Spurs - Doyler at the Lane and Davy Jones at Molineux meant our first double in the top flight since 1981 and our first over Spurs for 56 years. 18 passes starting with Hahnemann and finishing with a Doyle Jones 1-2, Jones to Jarvo, Jarvo to Jones, goal! As Wolves saw it Wolves 1 (Jones 27) Tottenham Hotspur 0 A superbly crafted goal from David Jones saw Wolves complete the double over Tottenham Hotspur and, more importantly, move out of the Premier League's relegation zone. There was just one change to the side that started in the derby game with Birmingham - Adlene Guediora making his full debut in place of Michael Mancienne. On a bitterly cold evening there was a light dusting of snow on the pitch surrounds as Spurs kicked-off attacking the North Bank end. Inside the first minute David Bentley was pulled back by Stephen Ward just a yard to the right of the home area. Gareth Bale's free-kick was uncomfortably close to the far post after the ball had curled across the face of goal. Wolves responded with a Jones corner that was knocked down to Matt Jarvis who drilled in a low shot that hit Michael Dawson and bounced to safety. A through ball from Jermain Defoe bounced over Marcus Hahnemann but Karl Henry was there to hook clear before Jermaine Jenas could profit. Sebastien Bassong clearly pulled Kevin Doyle back as the striker was trying to make inroads into the visitors box but the referee waved play on. On 20 minutes a quick fire attack by Spurs saw Eidur Gudjohnsen and Defoe combine to set up Niko Kranjcar whose low shot was deflected behind by the legs of Hahnemann. Doyle had the crowd on its feet as he broke clear on the right but his driven cross hit Dawson and was turned behind by Jenas. Jarvis's corner was cleared but the winger played an important role as Wolves moved into a 27th minute lead. He took a pass from Jones and returned the ball perfectly for his team-mate to sweep a low shot into the corner of the net. The build up to the goal had 18 consecutive Wolves passes before Jones pulled the trigger. Just two minutes later Wolves were once again the victims of an appalling refereeing decision. Jarvis sprinted into the box and he was felled from behind by Dawson for an obvious penalty. But once again the referee brushed aside the appeals. With everyone looking on in disbelief, Kranjcar broke away down the left wing and was fouled by Ronald Zubar as the crowd howled their anger at the spot kick refusal. Doyle and Jarvis ran the length of the field to register their protest and Doyle was booked for his troubles. Jarvis figured again as he worked a shooting position for himself and Heurelho Gomes made a fine save as he turned behind an angled drive. Zubar met Jones's corner with a first-time shot but it was blocked by a defender and when play moved to the other end Hahnemann had little difficulty in saving from Kranjcar. Just before the break another fine run by Jarvis ended with as low cross that was cleared, and then Guedioura, who was enjoying a fine game, almost made it through the Tottenham defence before Gomes took possession. Half-Time: Wolves 1 Spurs 0 Wilson Palacios came on for Jenas at the start of the new half which was three minutes old when Hahnemann turned aside Kranjcar's shot at the near post. In the 52nd minute Ward lofted a pass towards the Tottenham area and Doyle ran between two defenders before lobbing the ball over Gomes but wide of the far post. Henry's 22-yard drive was wide of the mark and then, on the hour, Ward who appeared to be suffering with a knee problem was replaced by George Elokobi. Shortly afterwards England international Peter Crouch came on for Gudjohnsen for the visitors. In the 65th minute Doyle turned his marker and fed Jarvis who was about to take a shot at goal when Bassong ran across to boot the ball behind for a corner. Elokobi was shown the yellow card after he had collided with Bentley before Tom Huddlestone was wide with a first time shot after a Kranjcar free-kick had been headed out of the box. Both sides made a switch in the 72nd minute with Mancienne coming on for Guedioura who received a tremendous ovation as he left the field, and Luka Modric replacing Kranjcar for Spurs. Palacios was booked for a late challenge on Jarvis who carried on for five minutes after receiving treatment before limping off to be replaced by Nenad Milijaš. As the seconds ticked away Huddlestone volleyed two-yards wide and, during the four minutes of stoppage time, a Bentley corner was headed out to Palacios whose shot through a crowded area was scooped up by Hahnemann to the relief of the home support. Wolves: Hahnemann, Zubar, Ward (Elokobi 60), Guedioura (Mancienne 72), Craddock, Berra, Foley, Henry (capt), Doyle, Jones, Jarvis (Milijaš 80). Unused subs: Hennessey, Ebanks-Blake, Vokes, Mujangi Bia. Bookings: Doyle (29 - dissent), Elokobi (67 - foul) Spurs: Gomez, Bale, Kaboul, Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas (Palacios 45), Gudjohnsen (Crouch 63), Defoe, Bassong, Dawson (capt), Kranjcar (Modric 72). Unused subs: Pavlyuchenko, Palacios, Modric, Crouch, Corluka, Alnwick, Walker. Booking: Palacios (75 - foul). Referee: M. Clattenburg. Attendance: 27,992. and The Times' Tom Dart To lose once in a season to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mr Redknapp, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose twice looks like carelessness. Two months after Wolves raised eyebrows with a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane that owed something to luck, here was a victory by the same scoreline that was fully merited. Tottenham Hotspur had sauntered into Molineux, overconfident and underpowered; Wolves, who moved out of the bottom three, were more determined and solid enough to hold out in the second half when the visiting team finally turned on the ignition. Games such as this are why we describe Tottenham as top-four contenders rather than favourites. An opportunity to go fourth and to help to dispel the lingering impression that they are too capricious to reach the Champions League was wasted. Six points dropped against Mick McCarthy’s relegation contenders is lamentable, especially for a club that need to beat up the little guys because they habitually fail to take points from the Barclays Premier League’s leading lights. “Very costly,” Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, said of his team’s two leaden-footed dances with Wolves. Tottenham’s starting XI showed five changes from Saturday’s goalless draw with Aston Villa. If being able to rotate against weaker sides and still emerge with victory is a hallmark of an elite club, the Londoners have some way to go, no matter that the table says they are only a point below Liverpool, who are fourth. Their recent form has been a giant billboard promoting the value of Aaron Lennon. Since the injured winger’s most recent appearance, on December 28, Tottenham have collected six points from six matches, scoring only three goals. “We lacked a little bit of magic from somebody,” Redknapp said after last night’s result. Lennon’s tricks would surely have made a difference, although Redknapp denied that his absence is the source of the mediocre returns. “We’ve played great without him,” he said. “Difficult to put your finger on it tonight — they made it difficult and we ran out of ideas.” Smarting from two late goals conceded to Birmingham City on Sunday that turned three points into zero, Wolves were excellent. This was their first league win since December 20’s home defeat of the free gift that is Burnley on their travels. Redknapp gave first starts to two new signings, Younčs Kaboul and Eidur Gudjohnsen. The latter used the ball neatly in the early stages and with 20 minutes gone, Gudjohnsen and Jermain Defoe combined cleverly to put Niko Kranjcar through. Had he scored, it is easy to imagine Tottenham going on to win convincingly, but the Croatia player seems more comfortable trying the spectacular than the straightforward and his shot was not well placed. Wolves took the lead seven minutes later after a long string of passes. David Jones, making a run into the box that was not picked up, guided Matt Jarvis’s left-wing cross low into the far corner of the net. Wolves were invigorated and, without the rested Ledley King and Wilson Palacios, Tottenham were brittle. Wolves sliced through them like a chainsaw through sponge cake. Palacios was introduced at half-time to strengthen Tottenham’s invertebrate midfield but their passing remained shoddy. The away team dominated possession and upped their intensity, but all attacks were smothered by rabid defenders. A surprise result? “I never thought we’d lose at home to Portsmouth, West Ham and Wigan,” McCarthy said. “You’re always looking at where you’re going to pick up the points and it doesn’t always turn out like that. I keep getting asked about the players: bouncing back, can they get off the canvas, all those clichés, and it’s never, ever been in doubt. “We’ve had to play bloody well tonight. That was damned hard work, and we deserved it. I might be able to go out for a meal in Wolverhampton without soup being spilt down me.” McCarthy may not even have to foot the bill — although he might want to book a table quickly. Chelsea are next for Wolves. Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-2-3-1): M Hahnemann — R Zubar, J Craddock, C Berra, S Ward (sub: G Elokobi, 60min) — A Guedioura (sub: M Mancienne, 71), K Henry — K Foley, D Jones, M Jarvis (sub: N Milijas, 80) — K Doyle. Substitutes not used: W Hennessey, S Ebanks-Blake, S Vokes, G Mujangi Bia. Booked: Doyle, Elokobi. Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-1-1): H Gomes — Y Kaboul, M Dawson, S Bassong, G Bale — D Bentley, J Jenas (sub: W Palacios, 46), T Huddlestone, N Kranjcar (sub: L Modric, 71) — E Gudjohnsen (sub: P Crouch, 63) — J Defoe. Substitutes not used: R Pavlyuchenko, V Corluka, B Alnwick, K Walker. Booked: Palacios. Referee: M Clattenburg. Possession (%) 50 50 Shots on target 4 4 Shots off target 4 6 Corners 5 7 Fouls 10 10 Most fouls Doyle 2 Palacios 3 Yellow cards 2 1 As it happened 0: Snow sprinkled around the ~Molineux pitch ahead of tonight's kick off thanks to this afternoon's flurries. One change for Wolves, Guedioura in for his first start in place of Mancienne. 0: Renowned BBC commentator John Motson on duty tonight. Has seen four consecutive 0-0 draws in the Barclays Premier League and looking for his first goal of 2010! 0: Underway. 1: Almost a great start by Spurs. Bentley goes past Ward and fires in a cross-cum-shot which Hahnemann has to tip over after just 33 seconds. Referee Clattenburg however pulls the game back to give Spurs a free kick having allowed the advantage after Ward pulled Bentley back. 2: And the free kick isn't far away either, Bale's inswinger flying past Hahnemann's far post. 2: Wolves hit back and win a corner. 3: Great inswinger from Jones which Gomes punches away. Jarvis in with a shot which is blocked by Dawson. 3: Great high-octane start to the game. Snow may make one or two passes more difficult but both teams already right on the attack. 5: Kranjcar finds space 30 yards out and sets his sights but it's well wide. 7: Jarvis almost wriggles into space on the edge of the Spurs area but Dawson in with a challenge and Bassong completes the clearance. 8: Amusement for the crowd as an attempted Guedioura pass bounces back off Clattenburg. The Frenchman - Guedioura not Clattenburg - has made a confident start. 9: Close for Spurs. Through ball over the top from Defoe which Hahnemann comes to try and take but Jenas gets there first and touches it past him. Henry on hand however to snuff out the danger. 14: Spurs win a corner which is swung in by Bentley for Dawson who has space but can only glance his header wide. 18: Doyle and the Wolves fans not happy as Bassong appears to be all over him as he tries to get on the end of a through ball. Replay shows an arm on Doyle's shoulder, albeit outside the area. Referee having none of it. ~ 20: Best chance so far. Gudjohnsen's threaded pass turned on by Defoe to leave Kranjcar through one-on-one. Hahnemann makes himself a big target, and saves with his leg. Corner headed away by Jones. 21: And now Wolves best chance. Doyle beats the offside trap down the right. Waits to try and shoot but it's blocked by Dawson which takes the ball across the area only for Jenas to put the ball out with Jones lurking. 22: Not looking good for Jones who goes down for treatment with no one around him as Wolves wait for the corner. Treatment from Steve Kemp and off to the sidelines. 23: Jarvis's corner is headed away at the near post. Jones able to rejoin the action. 25: Ward spoken to the referee after a foul on Bentley who then fires over as the action restarts. 27: GOAL: JONES 1-0. Goal for Wolves, and what a goal it was. Well worked with Guedioura, Doyle and Jones all involved as the ball gets worked out to Jarvis. His cross is then met with a precise first time shot from Jones into the bottom corner. There's John Motson's goal, and Jones's first in the Premier League this season. ~ 29: Should that have been a Wolves penalty? Jarvis down under challenge from Dawson. Replay shows it was nailed-on. Another shocking decision for Wolves. 30: Surprise surprise Zubar then penalised for a foul at the other end. Jarvis runs the length of the pitch to remonstrate with Clattenburg. The referee appears to show a Wolves player a card. 30: Free kick comes in and Henry and Hahnemann get slight touches on it before Berra completes the clearance. 32: Ironic applause from the crowd as Wolves do get a decision. 33: Here's Motty by the way. ~ 34: Jarvis causing Spurs problems on the left and turns inside before delivering a low shot which Gomes pushes behind. Corner comes in and drops for Zubar whose left foot shot blocked by Kaboul. 35: Spurs respond with a quick break and white shirts swarm forward. It's Kranjcar who hits the eventual shot but gathered cleanly by Hahnemann. Guedioura straight back up the other end by beating his man and letting fly with a left foot effort which is well wide. 43: More great work from Jarvis on the left who beats his man and cuts inside. Gets the ball across but it's cleared by a Spurs defender. Guedioura then has another great run but the ball is shepherded back to Gomes. 45: Two minutes added time to follow. Spurs win a corner. 45+1: Bentley's corner is too deep and goes all the way across and out for a goal kick by the opposite corner flag. HALF TIME: WOLVES 1-0 SPURS 46: Back underway. Palacios on for Jenas for Spurs. 47: First chance of the half falls to Wolves after Jones almost gets in the ball drops to Guedioura whose left foot shot is high and wide. 48: Spurs now on the attack, Krancjar's shot taken a slight deflection and wide for a corner. To the back post but Kaboul heads it out albeit complaining it came off a Wolves head. 50: Bentley next to show down the right and drives in a powerful centre but it's too deep. 51: Referee Clattenburg has - hopefully - had better nights than this and now gets right in the way of Henry as he tries to keep Wolves moving. Obstruction surely?! 56: Spurs understandably shading the possession stakes in the second half so far but Kranjcar is again off target from distance with a shot which clears the bar. 58: Scent of an opening for Defoe, and that's usually all he needs, but Berra in like a shot with a good challenge. 59: Wolves break the monotony by enjoying a decent spell of possession before Henry advances from distance with a low shot. Takes a nick off Jones and wide of the target. 60: Change for Wolves, Elokobi on for Ward. 63: Dawson down for treatment after an earlier challenge. Crouch ready to come on for Spurs. Indeed he does come on, for Gudjohnsen. Crouch/Defoe axis now restored and ready to try and cause Wolves problems. 64: Dawson is on the touchline but looks fit enough to continue. And now he is indeed back on. 65: More good work from Doyle who turns effortlessly and threads pass in for Jarvis whose pace almost gets him away but for a well-timed tackle from Bassong. Referee Clattenburg feels it necessary to talk to Henry before the corner comes in. It's cleared comfortably by Spurs. 67: ~Mick McCarthy hopping mad on the touchline as another apparent Tottenham foul, this time on Guedioura, goes unpunished. 68: And the referee can't wait to sprint over and book Elokobi for a challenge on Bentley. This is seriously poor refereeing. 70: And now Zubar in with a strong challenge to win the ball from Bale. Foul. Frankly this is getting ridiculous. 70: Free kick hurled into the box and headed clear. Drops to Huddlestone whose first time shot is wide. 71: "You're not fit to referee" are the chants from the crowd. 71: Dawson in from behind on Doyle and Wolves finally win a free kick. More ironic applause. 72: Change for both teams. Modric on for Kranjcar for Spurs. Mancienne for Guedioura for Wolves. Standing ovation for an excellent first start. Had probably run out of steam a bit after first taste of a Premier League start but showed plenty of promise. 74: Could be a long closing spell to this game for Wolves. Bale powers down the left but his low centre is cleared by Mancienne. Bale in again and Foley comes in with a well-timed challenge which thankfully the referee sees as a fair one. Ball still worked across and needs an Elokobi clearance to quell the danger. 75: Palacios in late on Jarvis and does now get a yellow card. 78: Spurs try some intricate passing with Crouch and Defoe involved but when the ball breaks to Bentley his left foot shot flies wide. 79: Doesn't look like Jarvis will be able to continue. Still trying to do his bit but struggling from that Palacios challenge. 80: Bale goes past Zubar down the left and fires in a cross which Craddock clears well. 80: The switch is made as Jarvis comes off and Milijaš on. Loud applause for Jarvis. 81: Hahnemann comes well to claim Bale's long throw. 84: Great take from Hahnemann as he comes out to Bale's cross. 85: Zubar slips over to hand Spurs a throw-in. They keep up the pressure and Kaboul sends in a cross which is cleared. Palacios tries to play in Bentley and does but the winger is offside and sliding the ball home doesn't matter. 87: A Bentley cross takes a nick off a defender but Hahnemann claims again. 87: A rare bit of respite as Jones looks to hit a shot but Palacios is in to block. 88: Another Spurs attack is half cleared to Huddlestone 25 yards out and his first time shot is wide. 88: Today's gate is 27, 992. 90: Four minutes added time to follow. 90+1: Corner to Spurs. The pressure will be unrelenting now. 90+2: Bentley swings it in and it's back out to Palacios. Low shot through a sea of bodies somehow doesn't get a touch but it still needs a save from Hahnemann. FULL TIME: WOLVES 1-0 SPURS
Sun 7th Feb Blues Wolves KO 13:30 Live on Sky A torrid first ten minutes when Birmingham threw everything at Wolves became a first half where Wolves grew in confidence and eventually forced a goal after a good cross from Zubar, a poor centre from Jarvis, and a lucky interception by Ridgewell which cannoned back off the post into Doyler's reach. For 40 minutes of the second half we hung on, relatively comfortably, looking as though we might escape with all three points. And then our nemesis was sent on and once again Kevin Phillips picked our pockets and walked away. So Mr Craddock, how many times have you seen him do this? So why don't you try marking him? 2,650 Wolves fans knew all about him - again! Happy Birthday Mick who started with a nominal 4-3-3 or, as we know it, 7-2-1 with everyone apart from Doyler and Davy Jones a fully paid up member of the back 4. Unfortunately the "attack" force, Doyler apart, has managed three goals between them and never looked likely to score, although three good chances went missing (Zubar two headers and Foley shot straight down the GK's throat). A great shot from Guedioura announced his arrival though. One little scene worth remarking - Doyler walking off at half time explaining to Zubes that pushing a player in the back in the penalty area isn't allowed! We were lucky there. Birmingham City 2 (Phillips 80, 85) Wolves 1 (Doyle 42) Wolves were just ten minutes away from an unexpected but deserved victory over Birmingham City when their nemesis, Kevin Phillips, struck twice in the final ten minutes to cancel out Kevin Doyle's first half opener. It was a sickening blow for the ~Molineux men and their supporters. ~Mick McCarthy fielded the side that took a point from Hull a week earlier with Doyle again playing a lone role up front. Before the start a minute's applause was held in honour of former Birmingham and England goalkeeper Gil Merrick who had passed away at the age of 88. Blues kicked-off attacking the Railway End of St Andrew's that held a sizeable contingent of away supporters and with less than three minutes gone Ronald Zubar had to make a last ditch tackle to prevent Barry Ferguson having a clear sight of goal. From the corner conceded, taken by James McFadden, Doyle headed away at the near post. But the danger wasn't cleared and after McFaddon returned the ball into the box, this time it was ~Stephen Ward who headed behind. The City pressure continued and Christophe Berra did well to get in the way of a fierce angled effort from Lee Bowyer before, from another McFadden corner, Liam Ridgewell helped the ball on to Cameron Jerome whose header hit Michael Mancienne and went behind. In the first Wolves attack of note, after nine minutes, Roger Johnson cleared Doyle's low cross as Dave Jones ran in. Sebastian Larsson wasn't far off with a 25-yard volley that swerved over the angle and then Marcus Hahnemann saved at Jerome's feet after Scott Dann and Christian Benitez combined following a Larsson corner. The first Wolves corner came in the 19th minute but Jones's kick curled into the arms of City keeper Joe Hart. After Dann had fouled Doyle 25-yards out from the Blues goal, ~Karl Henry teed up Jones whose volley skimmed the top of the net as it flew over although Hart looked to have the danger covered. Hart was booked after tripping Doyle just a foot to the side of the home area. Jarvis took the free-kick but it bounced to safety off the wall. Wolves, having seen off the early home pressure, were now starting to pose threats of their own and twice within the space of a few seconds Matt Jarvis and Henry had shots blocked. In the 31st minute Stephen Carr was penalised for a foul on Jarvis near the left-hand corner flag. Jarvis lifted the free-kick into the six-yard box and Zubar charged in to power a header wide of the far post. The ball broke kindly for Jerome who raced down the left channel into the box and hit a low shot that Hahnemann saved with his legs. Then Dann's was narrowly wide with a scissors kick after Hahnemann had punched out Larsson's corner. Johnson was yellow carded after a heavy challenge on Ward, and Kevin Foley volleyed into Hart's arms after Mancienne and Doyle had headed on. But Wolves moved into the lead in the 42nd minute when Doyle rifled the ball home from close range after Johnson had deflected Jarvis's driven cross onto his own post (pictured). Moments after the resumption ~Jody Craddock was penalised for a challenge on Jerome three-yards outside Hahnemann's area. There were groans from the home fans when Larsson's free-kick flew both high and wide. As the half drew to a close Mancienne was booked for pulling back Benitez and home penalty appeals for a push by Zubar on Ridgewell were ignored by the referee. Half-Time: Blues 0 Wolves 1 Dann's foul on Doyle to the right of the area led to a Jones free-kick that was cleared to Benitez who was then pulled back Jones who was booked. Doyle held the ball up and released Jarvis on the overlap but the winger's attempt to return the ball to Doyle was blocked. The Wolves striker then fired into the side netting and, when play switched to the other end, Benitez was hurt in a collision with Hahnemann. Phillips came on as his replacement. Midway through the half Dann went into the book after he had cynically pulled back Doyle who would otherwise have had a clear run to goal. Wolves then replaced Jones with Adlenne Guedioura whilst Blues sent on Craig Gardner for Larsson. Within seconds of his introduction Guedioura hit a left foot drive that Hart gathered at the second attempt. The home side made their final change when Keith Fahey replaced McFadden. Foley had a first time effort comfortably saved by Hart and Guedioura, with a terrific shot from 25-yards, was just a foot too high. But Blues pulled level in the 80th minute when City's three substitutes combined. Fahey crossed and Gardner headed the ball down for Phillips to net. Worse was to follow five minutes later as Carr's cross was chested down by Phillips and rifled home. Henry was booked for a foul on Ferguson who was then yellow carded for a retaliatory push on the Wolves man. In stoppage time Hart saved at the feet of Guedioura and, after the final whistle, Berra was shown the yellow card for dissent. Blues: Hart, Carr (capt), Bowyer, Ridgewell, Larsson (Gardner 68), Jerome, Benitez (Phillips 63), Ferguson, Johnson, Dann, McFadden (Fahey 75). Unused subs: Taylor, Michel, Jervis, Vignal. Bookings: Hart (24 - foul), Johnson (40 - foul), Dann (66 - foul), Ferguson (87 - retaliation), Bowyer (90 - foul). Wolves: Hahnemann, Zubar, Ward, Mancienne, Craddock, Berra, Foley (Ebanks-Blake 89), Henry (capt), Doyle, Jones (Guedioura 68), Jarvis (Surman 89). Unused subs: Hennessey, Elokobi, Vokes, Mujangi Bia. Bookings: Mancienne (45 - foul), Jones (47 - foul), Henry (87 - foul), Berra (90 - dissent). Referee: L. Probert. Attendance: 24,165 (2,650 away supporters). Half time stats Possession (%) 59 41 Shots on target 6 3 Shots off target 4 3 Corners 7 3 Fouls 6 6 Most fouls Carr Berra 1 2 Yellow cards 2 1 Red cards Full Time Possession (%) 54 46 Shots on target 10 5 Shots off target 5 7 Corners 11 4 Fouls 12 18 Bowyer Most fouls Bowyer 3 Doyle 4 Yellow cards 5 3 As it happened 0: Atmosphere building up at St Andrew's ahead of the 1.30pm kick off. Tough ask for Wolves today against a Blues team beaten just once in 17. ~Mick McCarthy's 51st birthday as well. Events over the next 90 minutes will determined whether it's a happy one! 0: Joe Hart and Marcus Hahnemann lay wreaths in the opposition goalmouths ahead of kick off in memory of Blues legend Gil Merrick, who passed away this week. Both applauded by the opposition fans at each end. 0: Minute's applause prior to kick off which is also warmly followed by all fans inside St Andrew's. 0: And we're underway. 3: First real chance of the game and it falls to Blues. Ferguson plays a clever ball for Bowyer who has made a good forward run and controls it well before firing in a shot which Zubar deflects out for a corner. 4: Doyle gets a clearing header from the flag kick but the ball is worked back out to McFadden who cuts inside before drilling a low shot which Ward heads behind. Another corner comes in but Wolves manage to clear. 5: Blues have come right out of the traps here and produce another good chance. Bowyer again finds space inside the area and hits another shot which is blocked by Berra. 6: And even closer this time from another corner. Ridgewell heads the deep corner back across goal and Jerome is free on the six yard line to head for goal. But the ball hits Mancienne and goes over the bar. 9: Wolves muster their first attack after Jarvis dispossesses Carr and breaks from defence. Jones and Henry both involved in feeding the ball out to Foley whose low centre is intercepted by Johnson with Jones lurking behind. 12: Blues comfortably been the dominant force so far and Wolves will be relieved to have come out unscathed. Berra has to be on his toes under pressure from Chucho and clears. 14: Another chance for the hosts as Larsson latches on to a headed clearance. Dipping first time half volley carries plenty of menace but is just over the bar. 15: Wolves ease the pressure by launching an attack of their own. Doyle does well down the left and cuts inside to put in a cross which Carr heads away in front of the arriving Jones. 16: Blues quickly back on the offensive and Bowyer puts in a dangerous cross to the back post which Zubar heads behind. 17: And so close to an opener again from the corner. Met by Dann who heads into the danger zone where the ball bounces off Chucho and dropped for Jerome until Hahnemann dived in to smother. 20: Wolves win a corner at the other end and Jones's inswinging delivery appears to glance Larsson's head but Hart isn't affected and makes a clean catch. 23: Wolves win a free kick 25 yards out after Doyle is felled by Dann. Henry taps to Jones who flicks the ball up and volleys it just over the bar. Decent hit but Hart had it covered. 24: Doyle latches into Wards's header and is tripped by Hart outside the box after the Blues keeper came charging out. It's over on the left hand side with Blues defenders covering so not a goalscoring opportunity and the card is yellow for the home keeper. 28: Spell of Wolves possession down the left involving Jarvis, Ward and Foley ends with the latter sending in a left foot cross which is too deep. 29: But Wolves keep up the momentum with Jarvis and Henry both having shots which are pretty much blocked at source by the Blues defence. 30: Blues back on the attack with Larsson's cross but Bowyer can only loop a header goalwards and Hahnemann takes. 31: Wolves seem to be concentrating their efforts down the left flank and Jarvis is upended by Carr after going past him. Free kick comes in from right next to the byline and Zubar jumps well from close range but can only direct his header across goal and wide. 32: Meanwhile a replay shows Henry's earlier effort struck the hand of Carr right on the borderline of the penalty area. From close range so would have been harsh but some referees give them. 33: Henry meanwhile catches Ridgewell in the face as he tries to shield the ball. Blues fans baying for punishment but there was never any intent at all and the clash was accidental. 35: Wolves win a free kick on the right but the whistle has gone even before Jones's delivery has reached the area as referee Lee Probert spots a Wolves push. 35: Blues break through Jerome down the left and his low drive is blocked at the near post by Hahnemann. Bowyer not happy because he feels his heels were clipped by Mancienne as he tried to get up in support. Replay again shows accidental contact but Bowyer continues his protests. 36: Mighty close from the corner too. It's another Larsson inswinger which Hahnemann claws away from on his goalline but Dann is on hand with an acrobatic effort which flashes inches wide. 39: Wolves win a corner after Carr's attempted backpass drifts out but while Berra gets his head to Jarvis's delivery it's a looping header which is always going over. 40: Flashpoint here as Johnson goes in late on Ward. Wolves players not happy with challenge but Johnson indicates he was going for the ball. Yellow card which looks about right via the replays. 41: Spot of head tennis inside the area finishes with Foley getting a good connection on a left foot drive. Unfortunately it's almost too good and flies straight into Hart's midriff. 42: GOAL: DOYLE 0-1. Wolves appear to have recovered from their early problems and now take the lead. Move started on the right before Jones and Henry work it out to Jarvis on the left. Johnson tries to intercept his low cross but only diverts the ball onto his own post and Doyle is Johnny-on-the-spot from the rebound to tap home. 44: Blues win an immediate free kick 25 yards out after Jerome is fouled by Craddock. Larsson a danger from here. Not this time however as his effort clears the crossbar. 45: Two minutes added time to follow. 45+1: Mancienne fouls Chucho and this time it is a yellow for the Wolves man. 45+2: Zubar heads clear inside the area and appears to nudge Ridgewell as he does so. No penalty though according to Probert. HALF TIME: BLUES 0-1 WOLVES 46: Back underway. 47: Wolves win an early free kick which Jones swings in but it's cleared. Jones then fouls Jerome as Blues look to break and is penalised with a yellow card. 48: Crowd today is 24, 165 with 2, 650 from Wolves. 51: Corner to Wolves taken by Jones on the left but Zubar can't get his header on target and it's well wide. 53: Wolves on the break after a Blues attack comes to nothing. Doyle finds Jarvis on the left and the winger cuts in and tries to shoot but it's blocked. 55: Roles are reversed as Blues break after a spot of Wolves possession. But Jerome's centre is comfortably cut out by Berra. 56: Blues will want to put on the pressure and Bowyer makes another good break to get on the end of Larsson's cross but it takes a ricochet off a Wolves defender and then a Blues man and goes out for a goal kick. 57: Wolves back on the attack with Doyle cutting inside but from a narrow angle firing into the side netting. 59: Another dangerous inswinging corner from McFadden is headed away by Doyle at the near post. But Blues win another. Referee Probert stops play to have a word with Hahnemann and Jerome before it's taken and the Wolves keeper claims it. 62: Benitez is offside as he chests the ball down but carries on and Hahnemann comes in with a sliding tackle which leaves the Blues man needing treatment. 63: Wolves usual nemesis Phillips is now off the bench for Benitez. 65: Spot of headed pinball on the edge of Wolves area as they look to get the ball away. Finally succeed. 66: Dann cynically brings down Doyle as the Wolves striker goes past him. Fortunately for Dann Doyle was still around 40 yards from goal so the card is yellow as opposed to red as there were no defenders covering. 67: Jarvis sends the free kick in and no one gets on the end of it and it's one of those which isn't too far away from creeping inside the post. 68: Another change for either side. Guedioura on for Jones for Wolves for his first taste of a Midlands derby. Gardner on for Larsson for Blues. 68: Impressive first impact for Guedioura who strongly holds off a Blues opponent before getting in a low left foot shot which forces Hart into a save. Doyle again did well in the build-up to hold it up. 69: Johnson gets his head to Ferguson's free kick and powerfully heads across goal but no other Blues man able to get on the end of it. 74: Final change for Blues, Fahey for McFadden. 75: Phillips tries his luck from distance but it's wide. 76: Bowyer flies in on Henry with two feet. Somewhat surprisingly not even a booking. 76: Doyle again involved as the free kick goes into the box and chests down for Foley whose left foot drive is gathered cleanly by Hart. 77: Blues with another chance as Henry dispossessed inside his own area. Berra in though with a good block as Jerome gets his shot off. 77: Wolves back on the attack immediately and a great strike from Guedioura just over the bar. 79: Hahnemann spills at testing ball into the box and Jerome is on the rebound. But he's on the floor and can only stab the ball wide. May well have taken a touch off Craddock hence the award of a Blues corner which Wolves manage to clear. 80: GOAL: PHILLIPS 1-1. And now Blues equalise, and it's that man Phillips. All three substitutes involved with Fahey crossing to the back post, Gardner heading across goal and Phillips providing the first time finish. 85: GOAL: PHILLIPS 2-1. Could this get any worse? Carr advances down the right and crosses for Phillips, who chests down before firing low into the bottom corner. 87: Henry booked for a challenge on Ferguson and Ferguson also booked for retaliation after going after Henry. And the Scot wants a few more verbals even after that. Cue another talking-to from the referee. 89: Double switch for Wolves as last throw of the dice. Ebanks-Blake and Vokes on for Jarvis and Foley. Nothing to lose now. 90: Four minutes added time to follow. 90+1: Bowyer into the book for a foul on Mancienne. Free kick slung into the box by Henry but headed clear. 90+4: Guedioura chests down a centre from Doyle but the ball runs away from him and Hart is out to gather. 90+4: Foul given against Surman as he goes in to challenge and that will probably be that. 90+5: Full time whistle goes and Berra appears to be booked afterwards for dissent. FULL TIME: BLUES 2-1 WOLVES
Tuesday 2nd February Crystal Palace v Wolves (FA Cup 4th ROund replay) KO 19:45 Live ITV4 Crystal Palace 3 (Butterfield 61, 65, 67) Wolves 1 (Henry 90) This was just plain awful. For each of Butterfield's goals it looked as though they went in in slow motion - but it was the Wolves defence moving in super slow motion. Hennessey (aka Butterfingers) made a good save put pushed the ball down to Butterfield for the first - he later got clapped when he finally caught a ball - or Butterfield v Butterfingers - the second no defenders got to Butterfield (a reserve right back playing because Palace were short of players) and Stears was miles behind for the third - got a tackle from behind in and would have been redcarded if Palace hadn't scored. But the big mistake was Mick's yielding the initiative to Warnock right from the beginning by playing one (Sammy Vokes) up front. Sammy only won two balls all the time he was on (Big Chris won more in his first two minutes on the pitch). Both Chris and SEB need match time so why not play them for the first half at least. Mujanga Bia was just plain awful - worse ball control than Carl Cort. Hennessey hesitant again. Five centre halves is a real wierd line up, and Foley was totally at sea in midfield. Dave Jones didn't really get the chance to fix it. Mancienne did okish, but Milijas was suffering from not playing and couldn't get into it. Karl Henry scored a terrific goal but that was our only highlight. Zubar was the only one really trying - and gave his shirt to the crowd at the end. At least the players didn't just slope off at the end and said thanks to the 900 supporters. And at least the Railway Telegraph is still open as is Doneagles super chippy from Wolves A hat-trick in just seven minutes from Crystal Palace's Danny Butterfield heralded Wolves' FA Cup exit after a lack lustre display from the Molineux men in a fourth round replay at Selhurst Park. There were five changes to the Wolves side with Geoffrey Mujanga Bia making his full debut. Mick McCarthy once again opted for a 4-3-3 line up. (no it wasn't it was 5-4-1) After an uneventful opening five minutes, Ronald Zubar had to head behind a dangerous cross from Butterfield and Kevin Foley was nicely placed to clear the resultant corner from Darren Ambrose. Sam Vokes then won a tussle with Claude Davis on the edge of the Palace box. The Welsh striker was forced wide and when he pulled the ball back to Mujanga the youngster scuffed his pass and the danger was cleared. In the 18th minute Nathaniel Clyne delivered a cross that Ambrose hooked over the bar from 20-yards with a first time effort. (Clyne had rejected a move to Wolves last week - as Wolves made what Palace boos Colin called derisory - saying Moxey always tries to get a cheap deal) Alan Lee broke down the left channel but his cross went over the head of Ambrose before home skipper Shaun Derry went into the book for a late challenge on Michael Mancienne in the centre circle. Mancienne took the free-kick himself and, after the Palace defence failed to clear their lines, Mujanga took a return pass from Ned Milijaš but fired high over the angle of post and bar. Lee became the second home player to be shown the yellow card, for dissent, before Ambrose and Nick Carle had shots blocked in quick succession by the visitors defence. After appearing to head against the back of Jody Craddock's head, Lee had to leave the field for attention to a cut forehead. Three minutes before the end of a mundane opening half, Neil Danns shot inches wide of the far post after he had collected a low cross from Carle. Wolves responded with a Milijaš free-kick that was headed wide by Vokes, and then a rebound presented Mujanga with a half chance but Julian Speroni in the home goal had spotted the danger and he ran from his goal to clear. Half-Time: Palace 0 Wolves 0 Two Palace free-kicks within shooting distance came inside the first five minutes of the new half. Both were taken by Ambrose with Wayne Hennessey claiming the first and the second flying wide of the mark. Danns headed wide after a cross from Ambrose and Foley lifted a shot high over the bar at the other end. Wolves changed to a 4-4-2 formation just before the hour mark as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo went on in place of Vokes and Mujanga. Within two minute Wolves were behind. Palace gained a fortuitous corner, with television replays showing the ball had gone behind off Ambrose. He took the flag-kick and although Hennessey made a good save from Lawrence's header, Danny Butterfield was there to nod over the line. Speroni had to punch clear after Jody Craddock had headed a Milijaš corner up into the air, before Palace went two up in the 65th minute. Ambrose nodded on a Speroni clearance to Butterfield who beat Hennessey with a low right foot shot. The Palace keeper cut out a low cross from Ebanks-Blake before Butterfield completed a seven minute hat-trick when he forced the ball home after a flick on from Lee. Ebanks-Blake was booked after a body check on Carle and Dave Jones was sent on from Mancienne for the final 15 minutes of a miserable night for Wolves. The only consolation came in the shape of a Karl Henry goal - the captain shooting high into the net after Foley had knocked back a Richard Stearman cross. Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Hill, Danns, Derry (capt), Davis, Lawrence, Carle (Comley 84), Ambrose, Lee (Andrew 75), Butterfield (Djiali 88). Unused subs: Scannell, Wynter, Mann. Bookings: Derry (27 - foul), Lee (31 - dissent). Wolves: Hennessey, Stearman, Zubar, Milijaš, Craddock, Berra, Foley, Henry (capt), Vokes (Iwelumo 59), Mancienne (Jones 76), Mujangi (Ebanks-Blake 59). Unused subs: Surman, Hahnemann, Halford, Castillo. Booking: Ebanks-Blake (71 - foul). Referee: L.Mason. Attendance: 10,282 (898 away supporters)
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Copyright © and Database Right The FA Premier League/The Scottish Premier League/The Football League/The Scottish Football League Limited 2007. All rights reserved. No part of the Fixtures Lists may be reproduced stored or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of Football DataCo Limited. Reproduced under licence from Football DataCo Limited. All rights reserved. Licence no. FDCFAN11/12-118101
