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Wolves boss McCarthy unhappy with red card at Liverpool

Sending-off was harsh - McCarthy

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was "not convinced" by the dismissal of Stephen Ward which proved pivotal in his side's 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

Referee Andre Marriner first penalised Christophe Berra after Ward had tripped Lucas but remonstrations from the home players saw him change the decision.

The sides were locked at 0-0 at the time, but goals from Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun followed the red card.

"I'm not convinced, I think it's a harsh sending-off," said McCarthy.

"They eventually got the right player but I don't think he fouled him.

"There's no clash of legs, Benayoun's trying to hold him off and Wardy's trying to grapple with him, but I think he's run out of room and he's gone over."

606: DEBATE Was the sending-off justified?

Wolves remain at the wrong end of the table but McCarthy was pleased with the way his side performed at Anfield.

"We weren't in any danger, we've been playing well and were catching them on the break from time to time," said McCarthy. "Liverpool needed a break and got one.

"Maybe they got a break with a sending off that was a bit harsh and they've reduced a team that was expected to get beat here to 10 men, and they took advantage of it."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was delighted that his struggling side claimed the three points and insisted that Ward's red card had been warranted.

"We wanted to win, we needed to win and we won, so I'm really happy, really pleased," said the Spaniard.

"The sending-off for me was clear and then after the first goal of Gerrard the game was open and we had more space, more time, and then we were more dangerous."

Benitez admitted he was not happy with referee Marriner's mistake in the build-up to Ward's red card.

Aquilani will improve - Benitez

"We knew it was number 11, the fourth official knew too and it was very clear," said Benitez.

"I was really surprised because the linesman has to be advising the referee, so a big mistake but in the end it was the right decision."

Benitez also defended Alberto Aquilani's performance on his long-awaited first Premier League start for the Reds.

The £20m Italian has been hampered by an ankle injury since arriving from Roma in the summer and looked well short of match fitness against Wolves.

"I think he was trying to find the right pass, he was trying to be involved, but still he will need to improve his match fitness," said Benitez.

"Also the tempo of the Premier League is not easy, but he was trying and that is the main thing for us.

"He will need time - it's always a question for everyone trying to become fit, they need time."

McCarthygate rumbles on!

Wolves defend team selection against Manchester United

McCarthy rested 10 players for the trip to Old Trafford Wolves say they are baffled as to why the club has been asked to justify Mick McCarthy's team selection in the match against Manchester United last week. Boss McCarthy rested 10 first-team players in the defeat at United to keep them fresh for Sunday's Burnley match. League rules state a full-strength side must be played in all top-flight games. "We expressed surprise as to why we're being asked for an explanation given there are examples of teams doing the same," said chief executive Jez Moxey. "In the letter, we contest any accusation that we didn't field a full-strength team at Old Trafford." Wolves lost the game at United 3-0 but went on to beat relegation rivals Burnley 2-0 on Sunday seemingly justifying McCarthy's decision. 606: DEBATE Was Mick McCarthy justified? "We're confident of our position on this and have cited the example of three or four other teams doing something similar. "If we'd fielded five youngsters then I could understand the risk of us being in bother. But I think with the exception of George Fried, it was the same 20-man squad that travelled to Tottenham." Wolves beat Tottenham 1-0 days before their visit to Old Trafford, with McCarthy also citing the nature of the victory over Spurs as another reason to rest key players. That victory over Spurs was the second successive top-flight win for Wolves - the first time the club have achieved that in 26 years. But McCarthy responded to the victories by keeping faith only with keeper Marcus Hahnemann against United, explaining afterwards that the physical exertions of the players at White Hart Lane ensured they needed a rest. The second string went on to lose comfortably, leaving many Wolves fans bemused and frustrated. McCarthy's selection against United was branded "grossly disrespectful" by Wolves supporter chief Arthur Williams. And several of the 3,000 Wolves supporters that travelled to Manchester also asked for their money back.

Wolverhampton   2 - 1   Bolton

By Owen Phillips

Craddock (centre) is mobbed after giving Wolves the lead

Wolves survived a tense final 10 minutes to earn a deserved victory over Bolton and leapfrog above their fellow Premier League strugglers.

Jody Craddock put Wolves ahead within four minutes, volleying home from a suspiciously looking offside position.

Nenad Milijas made it 2-0 after the break with a glorious 30-yard strike.

And although substitute Johan Elmander pulled a goal back when he bundled the ball in from a corner, Wolves held on for their third league win this season.

Milijas' superb strike seemed to have a capped a rare, relatively trouble-free afternoon's work for Mick McCarthy's men.

But Elmander's goal with 11 minutes left ensured a frantic Bolton finish and almost denied Wolves a much-needed win in what is becoming an increasingly difficult season.

Megson criticises players after loss

Despite the home side's problems, Bolton's prospects of keeping Wolves at bay seemed remote as heading into the match, they were the only team in the English Football League yet to keep a clean sheet.

And it needed less than four minutes to keep that unwanted record intact when Craddock took advantage of some generous work by the assistant referee to volley Wolves ahead.

Milijas whipped in a free-kick from the right flank and Craddock gleefully knocked in Berra's flick-on.

It was the perfect start for a Wolves side who were themselves hardly riding high on the crest of a top-form wave.

Three defeats in their last three games has seen manager McCarthy lamenting his side's ever-diminishing confidence.

But Craddock's fourth goal in five games seemed to give them the belief that was so lacking in recent weeks.

606: DEBATE We need to get behind the team and build on this result. Super Mick is the man to take us to the next level, belief is what we all need  WexfordWolves

Wolves were particularly threatening on the flanks with the pace and direct running of Matthew Jarvis to the fore on the left and the combined efforts of the ever-willing Richard Stearman and David Edwards a constant menace on the right.

Kevin Doyle was just as lively in attack and a fine pass to Sylvan Ebanks-Blake almost led to a second home goal early on.

But while Wolves were undoubtedly the more fluent, Bolton did settle after a chanceless opening 25 minutes and Ivan Klasnic twice had decent shooting opportunities before the break.

The first one was easily dealt with by Marcus Hahnemann but the second he blazed wildly over after a fine run and astute pass by Chung-Yong Lee.

Gary Megson's men upped their game after the break but it was only after Milijas made it 2-0 with a rasping shot from distance that the visitors started to pose a serious threat.

A great last-ditch challenge by home full-back Stephen Ward prevented Tamir Cohen from getting a shot away.

And the lively Matthew Taylor was denied by a smart save by Hahnemann who got down quickly to keep out the former Portsmouth man's low first-time shot.

But Elmander pulled a goal back when sloppy marking at a corner allowed him to score from close range.

McCarthy delighted with 'massive' win

Bolton had their chances to salvage a draw late on with Klasnic shooting tamely at Hahnemann and Wolves somehow surviving an almighty late scramble.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy:
"For an hour and 15 minutes I thought we were terrific.

"We started great and kicked on. The goal was offside but it was my turn for a bit of luck.

"We got involved in a scrap after they scored but I thought we defended them really well. As soon as they get one they were lifted but that game should have been over long before they scored the goal."

Bolton manager Gary Megson:
"We have spoken about this before the game and talked about the fact that nine of their 11 goals have come from set-pieces so it's soul-destroying when they score after three minutes from a set-piece.

"Defending that first set-piece we were poor but nowhere near as poor as the linesman. It was a poor, poor decision.

From BBC Sport

Wolverhampton   0 - 1   Birmingham

Bowyer, far right, celebrates his audacious match-winning strike at the Molineux

By Sam Lyon

Lee Bowyer's early strike proved enough to earn Birmingham a deserved win over struggling rivals Wolves and push the Blues up towards mid-table security.

The midfielder grabbed the only goal of the game with a superb clipped strike from 20 yards out into the corner.

But it could have been more for the Blues, with Bowyer, Cameron Jerome and Sebastian Larsson forcing fine saves.

Wolves came close through Matt Jarvis's snap-shot, but they rarely looked like ending a winless run of nine matches.

It is the first time Birmingham have recorded back-to-back Premier League victories since 2004, and is the perfect way to mark Alex McLeish's two-year anniversary as Blues boss.

Wolves didn't compete in first half - McCarthy

But for Wolves, the result and performance were an all too stark reminder of the struggle they face to remain in the Premier League this season.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy pulled no punches following the 4-0 mauling at the hands of Chelsea last week in saying his side were in a relegation battle - and on this evidence, it will be a long and hard one.

While defeats to the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal may be forgivable among the Molineux faithful, a reverse against fierce rivals Birmingham is another prospect entirely - especially given the manner of the loss.

For all their huff and puff, Wolves rarely looked like breaching a relatively modest away defence and a sum of only two shots on target in the entire match told its own story.

Birmingham, on the other hand, produced a determined display that will give their supporters plenty of hope of surviving in this league this season.

606: DEBATE Relegation without a doubt now! We are just not good enough!  jjbwolves

They were kick-started by Bowyer's audacious opener, the midfielder taking his tally for the season to five with a beautiful clipped lob into the far corner on three minutes.

And the Blues could - and arguably should - have been further ahead by half-time, Larsson and Jerome, twice, both bringing decent low saves out of Marcus Hahnemann from range and Bowyer then seeing his deflected driven effort from the edge of the area tipped over.

Such was Birmingham's dominance that McCarthy replaced Greg Halford with Michael Kightly on the half hour - and then brought Stephen Ward on for Michael Mancienne at the break.

It preceded Wolves's first noteworthy effort of the match, Kevin Doyle, recalled to the starting line-up after being rested last week, driving inches past the post from 20 yards out.

McLeish hails 'massive win' for Blues

But it was Birmingham that continued to look the more cultured team, resisting Wolves's attacks comfortably and looking to grab a second on the counter.

Their approach almost bore fruit when Jerome burst forward from a Wolves corner and fed James McFadden, only for the Scot's shot across goal to deflect off Ward's desperate challenge and fly wide.

To Wolves's credit, the hosts kept plugging away, and Birmingham keeper Joe Hart had to produce a smart reaction save to keep out Jarvis's snap-shot from a corner late in the piece.

The hosts piled on the pressure in the closing stages, throwing cross after cross into the box as they desperately tried to snatch what would have been a smash-and-grab leveller.

Birmingham held firm, though, and while the final whistle prompted cheers from the away support in the knowledge the win lifts them up to 11th in the table, the home fans' boos suggested McCarthy has work to do if he is to convince them he is the man to protect Wolves' Premier League status.

---

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy:
"I picked a team I thought would go out there and compete, but it didn't happen.

"From the first whistle we haven't made a tackle or laid a finger on anyone and, as a result, Birmingham were a good street better than us. We improved late in the game, yes, but we didn't deserve anything from it.

"The supporters deserve a lot better than what we dished up for them today, that's for sure."

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish:
"That is a massive win for us. These are the games that will decide our season and to get a fantastic win, and in the manner that we did it, was brilliant.

"From the keeper right through the team, it was a magnificent performance and our only disappointment was that we didn't take the chances to put it beyond them.

"We won't be shouting from the rooftops just yet, though, we'll keep our feet on the ground and keep doing what we're doing."

I was at the game today and it was baffling for me? Tactics were just bizarre. Hennessey at fault for two goals, possibly three plus free header from a corner! We were never going to beat Chekski but we made it harder for ourselves. On the positive, what we did create came from Jarvis who has made the step up now I think. Sadly the same cannot be said for Blake or Kightly, who was utterly anonymous after he came on as sub. Blues next week is a must win. Nothing else is good enough.

Here's what the Beeb thought.

Chelsea   4 - 0   Wolverhampton

Essien scored a brace at Stamford Bridge to round off an outstanding display

By Sam Lyon

Chelsea ran riot to rout strugglers Wolves and retain a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

It was a stellar Blues display despite a host of absences, kick-started by Florent Malouda's 22-yard strike.

Michael Essien then grabbed two in 10 minutes, heading home unmarked and squeezing in from the edge of the area, before Joe Cole clipped in on the hour.

Wolves came closest when Petr Cech kept out Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's header, but in truth they could have lost by more.

The victory briefly extended Chelsea's lead at the top of the table to eight points thanks to Arsenal's defeat at Sunderland but Manchester United beat Everton 3-0 in the late match to close the gap.

However, Chelsea, even at this early stage, appear favourites to win their first championship since 2006.

Their excellent return of 33 points from a possible 39 has been borne out of a combination of silky attacks and sturdy defence - both of which were on display against Wolves.

In fact the clean sheet, the 10th straight shut-out at Stamford Bridge, saw Carlo Ancelotti's men equal the club record set way back in 1927.

As if Wolves needed any warning as to the size of the task at hand before kick-off, in their last outing Chelsea overcame champions Manchester United to maintain their 100% home record under Ancelotti.

However, with the Blues coming off the back of the international break with Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Deco, Michael Ballack and Ricardo Carvalho all unavailable, the visitors might have sniffed a chance of an upset.

Three goals in the opening 21 minutes put paid to that idea.

Malouda got the hosts up and running, latching on to Jody Craddock's tame clearance and then lashing a rocket into the roof of the net.

06: DEBATE Essien CAN play in a attacking position! After his goals today, I'm a lot more relaxed Lampard's injured! mikeessien4ever

He then set Essien up for the second from a corner, the Ghanaian heading home unmarked at the near post.

And the midfielder grabbed his second from outside the area when his shot squirmed under the keepe

It was a salvo from which Wolves never looked like recovering, and at times the match resembled an exhibition.

Chelsea's movement and incisiveness in attack was irresistable at times, and the performances of Joe Cole, Essien and Malouda in particular are sure to give the Wolves defenders nightmares for weeks to come.

The visitors were in many ways the architects of their own downfall, though, granting Chelsea's midfield the freedom of Stamford Bridge as they failed to press their opponents across the park.

But they did at least show the odd glimpse of promise in attack, David Edwards twice breaking beyond the Blues defence but failing to get on the end of crosses and Ebanks-Blake bringing a stunning save from Cech with a downward header from Andrew Surman's centre.

Those attacks were all too rare, though, and otherwise the match was a procession for the Blues.

Joe Cole kick-started Chelsea's second-half dominance with his first goal in over a year, the playmaker stroking home from Salomon Kalou's lay-off, and a shell-shocked Wolves were almost entirely on the back foot thereafter.

Essien came closest to a fifth for Chelsea, first forcing keeper Wayne Hennessey to tip on to the bar with a drilled effort from range, and then grazing the outside of the post with a curler from 18 yards out.

And second-half substitute Gael Kakuta - the player at the centre of the Blues' potential transfer ban controversy - showed off his box of tricks on debut before drilling inches past the post late in the game.

As it was, Wolves will be thankful at least to have escaped London with just four goals against them for the second time in a fortnight.

The defeat keeps them rooted in the bottom three - and things do not get much easier for them, with away trips to Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool to come.

But for Chelsea, whose electric performance only served to underline their impressive strength in depth, their title charge could hardly be on a straighter track.

---

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti:
"When we win, I am happy. When we play well, I am also happy. Today we did both things and played a great match.

"It was comfortable today. The team have improved their play, they are full of confidence and they are showing what they can do.

"We also showed we have a very good squad. Everyone asks about the future and the African Cup of Nations in January, but today you saw we have excellent young players and will be able to cope."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"I agree with Carlo - his side were fantastic. We've basically been beaten up with the ball today.

"But I have to take positives, even though there are loads of negatives. We might have gifted them the first two goals, but we did create chances and that's a positive.

"I know that sounds hollow and stupid when we've lost by four and it could have been more, but we gave them two goals and that's always going to make the difference.

"We are in a relegation dogfight from now on. We might as well understand that and get on with it. If we're honest we didn't expect to get anything from our last two games, but now we move on."

Never thought I'd say this but good news at last!

From Teamtalk

Ward closing in on Wolves return

Wolves defender Stephen Ward, who has been out of action since September, is close to returning to training after a serious knee injury.

Ward: Fitness boost

Ward was forced to undergo surgery on his knee problem.

The 24-year-old has now recovered and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy expects Ward to return to training after this week's international break.

"Stephen will be training after the international break and it will be great to have him back," said McCarthy.

"Like everyone when they get injured, he doesn't like it and players get frustrated with themselves and they can never heal quick enough. But he is one of those people who does it all religiously and properly."

From BBC Online

Wolverhampton   1 - 4   Arsenal

Arsenal are averaging three goals a game in the Premier League

By Ian Hughes

Arsenal moved into second place in the Premier League after dismantling Wolves with another fine attacking display.

The Gunners were a touch fortunate with their opener as Ronald Zubar turned a Cesc Fabregas corner into his own goal.

And Eduardo's chip went in off Jody Craddock's head to make it 2-0 before Robin van Persie's exquisite touch set up Fabregas to score a classy third.

Andrey Arshavin struck with a low shot from the edge of the area before Craddock headed in a late consolation.

The result means Arsenal leapfrog Manchester United, who play leaders Chelsea on Sunday, and it also leaves Wolves in the bottom three.

For Arsenal the signs are growing that they can make a real challenge for the title this season, but Wolves are set to face a battle to stay in the top flight.

Wolves' biggest problem is their lack of a goal threat as the first 15 minutes of this match demonstrated.

606: DEBATE The Premier League crown is coming home sweeney500

Playing a direct brand of football and hustling Arsenal into errors, the hosts looked to gain an advantage as they racked up the set-pieces.

But Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake missed good chances with headers from corners, while Christophe Berra misdirected his header from a free-kick.

The hosts' start might have given boss Mick McCarthy hope that he could mastermind only his second victory over Arsenal - and Wolves' first since 1979.

Wenger delighted with Arsenal display

But 20 minutes into the game, Arsenal served warning they were about to step through the gears as an interchange between Abou Diaby and Arshavin almost opened up Wolves.

Diaby was forced off injured shortly after and was replaced by Alex Song, who had been rested with Aaron Ramsey drafted in.

Yet Arsenal's misfortune soon turned on its head when Fabregas' corner came off Zubar's thigh and went into his own goal.

It served to settle Arsenal, and have the opposite effect on Wolves.

Ramsey headed straight at Wayne Hennessey, and then the Welshman over-hit a pass that would have played in Eduardo as the visitors took control.

McCarthy rues defensive errors

Wolves were opened up again as they committed far too many men forward, and at the end of a rapid counter-attack Eduardo's shot clipped Craddock to leave Hennessey stranded as the ball went over his head.

With McCarthy's men still reeling, Arsenal carved out a superb third, when Bacary Sagna's cross was brilliantly laid off by Van Persie for Fabregas to slot home.

Almost inevitably it led to a subdued period after the break as Wolves looked to regroup, while Arsenal stroked the ball around with little urgency.

Then an injection of pace from Arshavin saw him test Hennessey with a stinging shot.

And from the resultant corner, the Russian rifled in after Hennessey had punched the cross away.

Eduardo almost added a fifth goal but was denied by Hennessey who did well to smother the striker's low effort.

More fluid approach play carved out another chance for Arsenal as Van Persie pulled the ball back for Fabregas but the Spaniard blazed over.

Instead it was Wolves who were to score the next goal, as Craddock thumped in a header from a corner.

---

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"We had so many chances and they had been under pressure for 10 to 15 minutes before the opening goal.

"I felt we controlled the game. Overall we could have scored many more. On every counter attack we looked dangerous.

"The most important factor is we play for each other as we do. We have to focus on our performance and continue to develop our style of play.

"We were out of it (the title race) last year after we lost five games in 14.

"Two years ago, though, we were close to winning it, people forget that. We will keep our humility and play our game."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"Our season won't be judged by games against Arsenal. We have Birmingham coming up and that is the type of game we have to win.

"Hull, West Ham and Portsmouth are the teams in and around us and matches with them will be important.

"We have been ticking along but were well beaten in the end. We were outstanding for 30 minutes and took Arsenal on but mistakes have cost us.

"But I know the crowd appreciate the hard work the team put in and the way they tried to play."

From ESPN

Tough times ahead for Wolves?

By Phil Shaw
(Archive)

November 5, 2009

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As Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters debate whether the glass is half-empty or half-full in relation to their club's performance this season, the one thing they are happily agreed upon is that at least the glass is not shattered.

Allsport

Mick McCarthy is preparing his side to face Arsenal on Saturday.

After the disappointment of 2003-04, when Wolves finished bottom in their only previous Premier League campaign, a repeat of that broken dream was a nagging fear in the minds of many of the Molineux faithful going into the campaign.

It could yet happen, of course, but with around a third of the season gone the signs are that Mick McCarthy's team are considerably more durable than the one that failed under Dave Jones' management.

This time six years ago, Wolves had already leaked five goals to Blackburn and Chelsea and crashed 4-0 at home to Charlton. Although the class of 2009 are only a point better off at the same stage, they are currently unbeaten in three games, comprising useful draws at Everton and Stoke and another in the home derby against Aston Villa.

By a quirk of the fixture computer, however, they have managed to avoid meeting any of the Champions' League quartet (or indeed Tottenham). That anomaly has led some fans to question whether Wolves' moderately encouraging start represents an opportunity squandered.

Amid all the anticipation surrounding the start of their games with the Big Four - they face Arsenal at home on Saturday, visit Chelsea a week later and encounter Manchester United, Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool by December 28 - one uncomfortable fact stands out.

Against the bottom four (as they stood before West Ham beat Villa to climb above McCarthy's men), Wolves have taken a solitary point, at home to Hull. The Hammers and Portsmouth won at Molineux, while Blackburn thumped them 3-1 at Ewood Park.

It does not follow that they will fare worse against more vaunted and costly opponents. Even in the dark days of 2004, Wolves beat Manchester United. And didn't newly promoted Stoke see off Arsenal a year ago, and United and Chelsea lose at Burnley and Wigan respectively this season?

Yet even in a game that confounds logic as frequently as football, it is hard to ignore the fact that Arsenal go into Saturday evening's match having won all the past eight matches with Wolves.

Difficult, too, to dispute the wisdom of those Premier League managers who view any points picked up from the elite clubs as the proverbial bonus. Whether they admit it publicly or not, for Gary Megson, Sam Allardyce and Alex McLeish, it is how their teams fare against other sides in the bottom half of the table that will determine their fate.

In that respect, Wolves have a golden opportunity to offset any damage caused by their brushes with the top clubs. After Arsenal, who have prised an ominous 16 points from the last 18, their next three home matches pit them against Birmingham, Bolton and Burnley. They urgently need a minimum of seven points from those fixtures, not to mention the momentum and confidence a set of convincing results would generate.

McCarthy could point, with some justification, to the injury list that led to Wolves starting the season at a disadvantage. Sod's law dictated that all his key attackers - from prolific Championship goal-scorers Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo to pacy winger Michael Kightly and club-record signing Kevin Doyle - were indisposed at one stage.

Now that they are all back, and with Andy Keogh and Austrian Stefan Maierhofer also pushing for places, the Wolves manager is confronted by a different quandary. Can any, or all, of them cut it in the Premier League?

Doyle has already proved, with Reading, that he can score at this level. Ebanks-Blake has the potential to do likewise, especially if his principal source of crosses, Kightly, can recapture the form that made McCarthy's £25,000 outlay to Grays look like larceny.

Neither, at the moment, looks to have reached full fitness, while Keogh is a selfless grafter rather than a high-class finisher and the towering duo of Iwelumo and Maierhofer appear more suited to cameo roles.

All of which leaves a sizeable question mark over Wolves' capacity to score the goals that will be needed to keep them out of the bottom three next May.

Allsport

Karl Henry has been an unsung hero for Wolves this season.

The creativity required to bring the best from Ebanks-Blake and Kightly could yet come from Nenad Milijas. The Serbia midfielder faded after a promising start in the Premier League but has re-emerged looking less daunted by its physicality and delivered the two set-pieces from which Jody Craddock scored his unlikely brace at Stoke.

Curiously, and perhaps worryingly for McCarthy, only one of Wolves' goals this season, by Doyle against Fulham, has come from truly open play. The rest stemmed from corners, free-kicks, throw-ins (Greg Halford's delivery is sufficiently similar to Rory Delap's to warrant McCarthy's consideration for promotion from the bench against Arsenal, given the way Arsene Wenger's side buckled at the Britannia Stadium last season) and a goalkeeper's kick-out.

Defensively, Wolves have creaked badly at times, conceding five at Sunderland, with left back a particular problem. But in holding midfielder Karl Henry, who has led his home-town team with inexhaustible drive, they have one of the unsung heroes of the English season to date.

The honesty and work-rate embodied by Henry are valuable assets. Wolves, though, need to complement it with a spark of the unexpected. Saturday, and the first of their confrontations with the Big Four, would be the perfect time to start.

From BBC Sport Online

Stoke   2 - 2   Wolverhampton

Wolves celebrate after coming from two goals down to draw at Stoke

By Peter Scrivener

Jody Craddock scored two second-half goals to salvage a point for Wolves as their first Premier League derby with Staffordshire rivals Stoke ended 2-2.

Wolves full-back George Elokobi, under pressure from James Beattie, turned a Matthew Etherington cross into his own net to gift the home side the lead.

Etherington then volleyed in from the edge of the box before half-time.

But Craddock turned in a Nenad Milijas free-kick before glancing in a near-post header to rescue a deserved point.

At half-time, it looked likely that Stoke would win a third successive match in the top flight for the first time since February 1984.

Their first-half dominance owed much to the pace and guile of Etherington who tormented Wolves from the kick-off.

Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen could also claim an assist for the first goal after his quick throw out set Etherington racing down the left wing.

Poor decisions cost us - Pulis

Etherington outpaced Ronald Zubar before firing a low ball across the six-yard box towards Beattie, who was arriving at the back post, but the striker was beaten by Elokobi who deflected the ball past a static Hennessey.

Beattie too was causing problems with his prowess in the air, although he caused a scare for the home fans when he landed awkwardly on his right leg after winning another header.

But the striker recovered sufficiently to blast a shot over, after more intricate work from Etherington, before seeing a header superbly palmed away by Hennessey.

However, the Wales international keeper could only watch as Etherington scored a deserved goal of his own as half-time approached.

A trademark Rory Delap throw-in was half-headed clear by Christophe Berra, but Etherington, lurking on the edge of the box, calmly chested the ball down before smashing a volley into the top corner.

At half-time Wolves boss Mick McCarthy sent on Milijas and the Serbian international made the kind of impact that Etherington had made for Stoke in the opening 45 minutes.

606: DEBATE Milijas may yet prove to be that bit of quality we're craving in midfield  Butch & Mull

With his first touch, Milijas delivered the free-kick that led to Craddock, who spent one month on loan at Stoke at the start of the 2007-08 season, turning the ball in at the back post.

Milijas's cross was nodded on by Berra and Craddock, who appeared to be in an offside position, guided the ball past Sorensen.

Moments later, Milijas preferred to go straight for goal with a free-kick from an almost identical position, but Sorensen comfortably held his effort.

Wolves remained wary of Etherington's threat though and Michael Kightly, who was booked in the first half for fouling the winger, was joined in the referee's notepad by Elokobi, for a similar challenge.

But the visitors continued to make their own forays forward and Craddock deservedly headed them level from Milijas' right-wing corner.

We should have won - McCarthy

Centre-back Craddock left his marker as he ran towards the near-post and deftly glanced the ball beyond Sorensen.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis hauled off strikers Beattie and Ricardo Fuller for Tuncay Sanli and Mamady Sidibe in an effort to lift his side before also bringing on Liam Lawrence for Delap.

But it was captain Abdoulaye Faye who ultimately wasted City's best chance to win it. Stoke's captain rose unchallenged but inexplicably headed Etherington's well-flighted corner over from eight yards.

Wolves too had one last chance, but Milijas curled an effort high and wide as the visitors recorded their third successive Premier League draw.

---

Stoke manager Tony Pulis: 
"We were very good in the first half and we should have been more than 2-0 up at the break.

"They then scored straight after the break from a free-kick which I didn't think should have been given. If the referee gives that, then he has to give a lot more in the game.

"We rely on referees to make a decision and we hope they don't affect the results, but today one has gone against us.

"But we'll take it on the chin and we'll bounce back."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"I brought Nenad Milijas on at half-time to try and hold the ball up a bit for us.

"He's found it difficult to settle in, but he's a quality player and his delivery is second to none.

"I'm disappointed though because we could have won that. We had opportunities at the last knockings, but we didn't punish them.

"Was (Jody Craddock's goal) one yard, two yards or five yards offside? I ain't bothered.

"We've had a few go against us this season and I've accepted them good grace, it's about time someone else had to."

Wolverhampton   1 - 1   Aston Villa

Ebanks-Blake's stepped up to score his first goal of the season to rescue a point

By Phil McNulty  BBC Sport at Molineux

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's late penalty earned Wolves a deserved point against Midlands rivals Aston Villa at Molineux.

Villa looked on course to maintain their best start to a Premier League season since 1999 when Gabriel Agbonlahor steered substitute Emile Heskey's pass beyond Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey with only 11 minutes left.

But Wolves responded and equalised four minutes later to claim a vital draw after Steve Sidwell needlessly felled Michael Kightly in the area and Ebanks-Blake slammed home a ferocious spot kick.

It gave Mick McCarthy's side a fair reward on an afternoon high on endeavour but short on real quality, especially from a Villa side who have made such an impressive start to the new campaign.

Indeed McCarthy may feel Wolves should have come away with three points after creating the best opportunities in a first-half spell of supremacy which saw a clear penalty claim denied when Richard Dunne fouled Kevin Doyle, Christophe Berra's header kicked off the line by James Milner and Ebanks-Blake miss two good chances.

Phil McNulty's Blog On the evidence of this draw against a Villa side with pretensions at a more elevated level, there is every chance there will be three teams lower than Wolves when the season finishes

Wolves, ultimately, were grateful for a point after Agbonlahor's late strike looked to have punished them for running out of attacking ideas after the break.

Villa were unchanged from the side that earned an outstanding victory against Chelsea last Saturday - and should have built on that platform by taking the lead in the opening seconds.

Agbonlahor was left with only Hennessey to beat after a long clearance, but a tame and lazy finish allowed the Wolves keeper to make a crucial block.

Molineux then reverberated to the sound of anger when referee Peter Walton ignored valid a penalty claim from Wolves after Villa defender Dunne appeared to drag back his Republic of Ireland colleague Doyle as the pair wrestled for possession in the area.

Villa's pace, as ever, made them a dangerous proposition on the break but it was Wolves who fashioned the more presentable opportunities in a first 45 minutes played in appalling conditions, with torrential rain sweeping across the stadium.

Berra headed just wide and then Milner was perfectly positioned to clear a close-range effort from Doyle off the line following a corner.

McCarthy pleased with improving Wolves

Wolves showed a pleasing determination to play a passing game, and Ebanks-Blake should have done better than hook over the top from eight yards after Berra headed down Kightly's corner.

He also steered a header wide when Villa were caught out from a free-kick, the sort of chance Wolves need to be taking if draws are to be transformed into victories.

Villa showed renewed attacking ambition in the opening moments of the second half, with Sidwell failing to take advantage of time and space in the area and Ashley Young curling a shot wide of the target.

John Carew - whose afternoon was summed up by an effort early in the second half that skewed 30 yards behind him and out for a throw in on the opposite side of the pitch - was replaced by Heskey with 20 minutes left as Villa boss Martin O'Neill pressed for the victory.

And Villa thought they had made the breakthrough within four minutes of Heskey's arrival when Sidwell's shot looked bound for the back of the net until it struck team-mate Dunne.

O'Neill happy with battling Villa

Heskey was instrumental as Villa took the lead on 79 minutes, playing in Agbonlahor, who spun Jody Craddock and scuffed a finish beyond Hennessey.

Villa's lead last only four minutes, and Sidwell was the culprit for throwing Wolves a lifeline back into a game that looked to be slipping out of their reach.

He was guilty of a reckless challenge on Kightly in the area that left referee Walton with a simple decision to point to the spot - leaving Ebanks-Blake to complete the formalities with a thunderous strike that gave Brad Friedel no chance.

Molineux celebrated wildly as Wolves claimed a point that may prove crucial - but for Villa boss O'Neill there was only the disappointment of seeing two points cast carelessly aside late on.

---

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"We deserved something out of it, that's for sure. The first penalty should one was an absolute stonewaller on Doyle.

"Surely being honest shouldn't prejudice you from getting a penalty. It's a penalty, he has to give the decision. Obviously he didn't think it was or he would have given it.

"Doyle's done everything right, you've got to rely on the officials to give the decision.

"Barely any of our players have played in the Premier League before but they're growing up, learning and doing better. Our performances are getting better and that was a good result."

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:
"It probably is a fair result. Wolves were the better team in the first half - we didn't play well at all and couldn't get hold of ball like we did against Chelsea.

"We improved pretty well in the second half and I thought we might see that one through.

"But it was a battle. We were never able to get it down and play. It was a slog but at least we're unbeaten which helps move the scoreboard along."

From Sky Sports

Wolves v Aston Villa preview

Wolves seek turnaround in derby clash

Last updated: 23rd October 2009   

McCarthy: Villa challenge

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: Wolves 0 Aston Villa 2

SKY BET odds: Wolves 12/5, Draw 12/5, Aston Villa 11/10

One to watch: Richard Dunne

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Wolves look to notch their second home win against Midlands rivals Aston Villa at Molineux, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

It's been a troubled build-up to Saturday's derby tie for Mick McCarthy's side who have notched just two Premier League wins to date.

Since beating Fulham on home soil in mid-September they have lost to both Sunderland and lowly Portsmouth.

They did, however, improve somewhat last time out when securing a point on their travels to Everton.

Their Premier League status doesn't make for good reading, with just eight points from nine games so far - they sit fifth-bottom of the top-flight table.

And they'll have it all to do against a Villa side who will be on a high having beaten Chelsea last time out.

Martin O'Neill's side really upset the applecart last week when they beat Carlo Ancelotti's side 2-1 at Villa Park.

The Villans had to come from behind having conceded early on, but they did so in superb fashion with Richard Dunne and James Collins cancelling out Didier Drogba's opener to seal a crucial three points against the title hopefuls.

Their only defeat in seven Premier League outings came at Ewood Park in September when they lost to Blackburn 2-1.

That stands as a small scratch on an otherwise superb record for the visitors who have risen to sixth position in the league table - just six points off Manchester United in top spot with a game in hand.

Villa claimed their first derby scalp when beating Birmingham at St Andrews earlier in the season and a second derby success could see them move as high as third position in the league table.

Team news

Wolves will be without suspended striker Stefan Maierhofer for the visit of Villa.

David Jones, Andrew Surman and Stephen Ward are all struggling with knee injuries and are expected to miss out.

Striker Chris Iwelumo and defender Richard Stearman made their comeback for the reserves this week and will face late fitness tests ahead of Saturday's tie.

Villa will be without Curtis Davies for the trip to Molineux, with the centre-back out with a shoulder problem.

Full-back Luke Young will be pressing for a starting berth having missed out on his return from injury against Chelsea.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew should retain their partnership up front, with Emile Heskey likely having to settle for a place on the bench once again.

Stewart Downing remains a long-term absentee as he continues to recover from a foot injury.

Possible starting Xls

Wolves: Hennessey, Zubar, Berra, Craddock, Elokobi, Kightly, Edwards, Henry, Halford, Doyle, Ebanks-Blake

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Petrov, Milner, Sidwell, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor

From Wolves Official site

Key Pair Take Heart From Everton

Posted on: Wed 21 Oct 2009

Kevin Doyle and Jody Craddock are hoping Wolves' impressive performance at Everton will stand them in good stead for Sunday's equally tough test againstMidlands' visitors Aston Villa.

Everton, like Villa, finished in the top six of the Barclays Premier League last season but Wolves finished up disappointed to only come away with a point fromGoodison Park having reached the 88^th minute a goal to the good.

 

Record signing Kevin and club captain Jody are now hoping a repeat of a similar performance in Saturday's lunchtime derby will also produce a positive result.

"Everton are very good at home and finished fifth last season, so for us to go there and create the chances in both halves - not just sneak a goal - and restrict them to half chances was a positive.

 

"It was disappointing to come back into the dressing room having conceded late on but we can still look back on it as a very good point.

 

"We should probably have got three points but the fact we were disappointed to get a draw shows we did very well.

 

"We seem to play better against the better teams as well which is a good sign and hopefully we can carry that on."

 

Jody insists the Aston Villa game was always going to be one of the stand-out fixtures on the calendar as the two teams do battle for the first time in over five-and-a-half years.

 

"Villa was always going to be a big game, regardless of their result against Chelsea last weekend," he added.

 

"A derby's a derby and it's going to be 50-50 on the day as to what can happen.

 

"We've got home advantage so we'll be looking forward to it and will definitely be up for the game."

From Sky Sports

Wolves boss praises record buy

McCarthy - Doyle worth every penny

Last updated: 18th October 2009   

Doyle: Praise

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Wolves boss Mick McCarthy insists that striker Kevin Doyle is worth every penny of the club record £6.5million that he paid.

Doyle bagged his third goal of the season on Saturday as Wolves clinched a 1-1 draw at Everton.

And McCarthy says he has no regrets about laying out such a big fee to Reading in the summer.

"Doyle has been a 'signature' signing of the summer, our big signing and he has proved to be worth every single penny of the money we paid," he said.

"He is a terrific player and has started to score goals. There will be more, I am delighted with him."

Doyle admits he is happy with how things are going for him since his move.

"I'm pleased with my start at Wolves. But I missed a lot of pre-season due to an operation and then missed the first few games of the campaign," he said.

From BBC Sport Online

Everton   1 - 1   Wolverhampton

By Owen Phillips

Bilyaletdinov's late strike was his first Everton goal

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov slid home a dramatic late equaliser as Everton denied Wolves a priceless away win.

Wolves edged a tame first half but the game came to life after the interval.

Kevin Doyle put the visitors ahead when he raced on to huge clearance by keeper Wayne Hennessey and nonchalantly flicked the ball under Tim Howard.

But Bilyaletdinov levelled from Jo's cross in a frantic finale which also saw Wolves substitute Stefan Maierhofer sent off after two yellow cards.

Such a thrilling finish seemed highly unlikely after a tepid opening period short on goalmouth incident and excitement.

Despite coming off the back off a six-game unbeaten run, Everton made a sluggish start. They created just two chances in the opening period, the best of which was wated by Tim Cahill.

A long pass upfield fell to Louis Saha whose poor attempt to control the ball allowed Cahill to race through to the edge of the box, but he rushed his attempt and the ball sailed over the bar.

Saha was then unable to keep a headed chance down from a corner, and that was about as good as it got for the hosts.

Wolves, beaten 1-0 at home by previously winless Portsmouth in their last outing, could have been forgiven for packing the defence and settling for a point against an Everton side unbeaten in six.

But boss Mick McCarthy has faith in his young side's attacking prowess.

The fact he was able to include one of his star men Michael Kightly from the start for the first time this season was a huge boost.

And although winger Kightly failed to have an impact, their attacking threat was provided by the lively front pairing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and record signing Doyle.

It was the first time McCarthy has been able to pair them in attack this term, and the duo were a constant menace to Everton's defence.

Doyle had an excellent curling effort tipped away by Howard, and the former Reading frontman saw another well-struck attempt bounce to safety after crashing into Ebanks-Blake.

But it was Ebanks-Blake, last season's top-scorer in the Championship, who came closest to breaking the deadlock just before the interval.

A flowing move saw Ronald Zubar pull the ball back and Ebanks-Blake's low shot drifted inches wide with Howard beaten.

Everton emerged after the break with all the signs of a side given a severe half-time talking-to.

Their positive intent was show with the introduction of striker Yakubu for full-back Tony Hibbert.

And within seconds of the kick-off Hennessey was forced into a fabulous save from Saha's downward header.

Bilyaletdinov was then denied by Hennessy who raced from his goal to block the winger's shot following a lovely crossfield pass by Leighton Baines.

And as the game completely opened up Saha once again tested Hennessey after a swift break and Yakubu drilled a fierce shot across goal.

But the breakthrough came at the other end against the run of play when Toffees skipper Joseph Yobo mis-timed his attempt to head clear Hennessey's punt forward and Doyle ran through and flicked a shot home under Howard with the outside of his right foot.

The strike was his third goal in four league games and looked certain to end Everton's unbeaten run.

However a swift break in the dying seconds rescued a point for David Moyes' men and left Wolves furious.

The visitors were screaming for a foul on Doyle in the build-up but referee Stuart Atwell played on.

Jo ran through on the left and his low cross was met first time by Bilyaletdinov whose cool strike beat Hennessey from close range.

There was still time for Maierhofer to see red for a second caution for blocking Howard.

Both sides had chances to win the match in injury-time, but Doyle's shot was saved by Howard and Baines blasted a shot just wide.

Live text and stats

 

Saturday, 17 October 2009

Premier League

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Everton	1-1	Wolverhampton	R
(HT 0-0)
Bilyaletdinov 88		Doyle 76

From Teamtalk

Let's hear it for the Moyes - Mick

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has paid tribute to Everton counterpart David Moyes ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting at Goodison Park.

McCarthy has admitted he is a huge admirer of the way that Moyes has made Everton a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.

Everton have finished fifth in each of the last two seasons and McCarthy knows his side will face one of their sternest tests of the season this weekend.

McCarthy, whose team are bidding to avoid a third straight league defeat, said: "David has done a great job at Everton.

"They have been getting better and better. He has done well and got the best out of everyone.

"He has won the manager of the year twice so he is recognised by his peers as well for doing a very good job.

"But to get beyond finishing fifth takes an extra level of investment which I don't think they will have."

McCarthy has promised to adopt a bold approach for the clash and has revealed that setting up a side to effectively frustrate the opposition and try to play for a draw is just not in his make-up.

It is something he has only done once, when he was managing the Republic of Ireland against Croatia.

Ireland lost to a late goal from Davor Suker and the pain of the defeat was magnified by the fact he had sent his side out to play with just one striker and a five-man midfield.

It is not a tactic he is planning to use at Molineux as McCarthy is very much a man who likes his teams to play on the front foot with a 4-4-2 formation.

McCarthy added: "My view is that I would sooner try and win the game.

"There is nothing worse than setting out to try and get a draw and then being beaten, especially as I do beat myself up about things on a Sunday morning.

"This league can be very unforgiving if you go into games with no optimism and then go and sit back and have no desire to try and win the game.

"In fact I find it more unforgiving when you don't try and win the game and I know we won't create too many chances with one up front."

Wolves' attacking intent will be boosted by the return to the starting line-up of winger Michael Kightly and striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Kightly has not started a first team game since March following hip and foot surgery while Ebanks-Blake's last start was on the opening day of the season against West Ham when when he suffered a hamstring strain.

The duo were key men as Wolves won promotion last season and McCarthy is looking for them to star in the Premier League.

He said: "Kights has that something a little bit different. He can open up a defence and spot a pass.

"He is a very good footballer and he is full of confidence in his own ability.

"It is nice to have him and Sylvan back and they are both fit to start."

From Daily Telegraph

Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers: match preview

Read a full preview of the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on Saturday, Oct 17 2009, kick-off 15.00 BST.

From Express and Star

Hoff no softie in training – Mick

Mick McCarthy has responded to Stefan Maierhofer’s comments that Wolves’ training is “brutal” by revealing the giant Austrian tackles as hard as anyone.

Maierhofer, who is the Premier League’s tallest player at 6ft 71⁄2ins, was bought to add a physical presence to the attack.

Comments attributed to the striker yesterday had Maierhofer saying the training was “brutal” and that only shinpads had prevented his leg being broken.

But boss McCarthy says Wolves players train like they play – and revealed Maierhofer loved it.

“He’s saying it as it is. We wear pads and we tackle every day,” said the boss.

“Anybody who doesn’t like that – don’t bother coming. It’s the way we train. It’s not the same as at other clubs, but that’s just the way we are.

“He’s seen a difference, but he’s embraced it. He hasn’t been whingeing about it. He hasn’t got a problem at all – I’m pleased with him. He doesn’t mind a tackle himself.”

From Sky Sports

Leon not Best for Wolves

Moxey rejects reports of £1.5million bid

Last updated: 13th October 2009   

Best: Enjoying fine season

Wolves have moved to play down reports that have suggested they are weighing up an approach for Coventry striker Leon Best.

Molineux boss Mick McCarthy is known to be an admirer of Best, whose six goals this season have caught the eye.

Earlier this campaign Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman attempted to bring Wolves hit-man Sam Vokes to the Ricoh Arena, but the move floundered after a dispute over the length of the potential loan.

Best is out of contract in the summer and while Wolves have been linked with a £1.5million bid in January, it would seem any such conjecture is news to their chief executive Jez Moxey.

He told the Express and Star: "There's nothing in it - I'm happy to say there's no truth in this.

"Mick has always thought of Leon Best as a good player but we have bought Stefan Maierhofer and we still have Chris Iwelumo to come back from injury, so we have two players covering the role that player can play.

"Given the player's contractual status, I would have thought he was more likely to allow his contract to run out and become a free agent."

From Clubcall.co.uk

Striker linked with Wolves move

Wolverhampton Wanderers, 09:48, October 12, 2009

From Express & Star

Zubar set for shock Wolves debut

From Vital Football

Three Christmas Fixture Changes

From Times online

Bolton reported by Wolverhampton Wanderers for 'illegal approach'

(Tony Marshall)

Man in the middle: the strained relationship between Wolves and Bolton has worsened since Connolly moved to the Reebok Stadium last month

From Sky Sports

Vokes: Not going to Coventry

Chris Coleman has confirmed Coventry City's move for Wolves striker Sam Vokes is 'dead in the water'.

The Sky Blues had been keen on bringing in the 19-year-old marksman on loan as cover for Clinton Morrison and Leon Best.

However, the move has stalled over the reported length of the deal, with The Sky Blues keen on three months and Wolves looking to loan him out until next summer.

Coleman has now admitted that the teenager, who is expected to sign for a Championship rival, will not be joining his play-off chasing squad.

"It looks like the Sam Vokes deal is dead in the water," Coleman told the Coventry Telegraph.

McCarthy refuses to blame ref! 

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has refused to blame refereeing decisions for his side's defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday.

Hassan Yebda's 19th minute header proved the difference as the Wanderers became the first team to drop points to bottom-placed Pompey this season, albeit McCarthy's side could feel hard done by after seeing three penalty appeals turned down.

Defender Marc Wilson's handball in the box midway through the second half looked a certain penalty, but official Howard Webb failed to give the decision.

However, McCarthy insists he was angrier that the basics were not done right when his side conceded the winning goal against Pompey at Molineux.

He told Sky Sports: "We've lost today because we didn't do our jobs properly, let's not blame anybody else."

Stone-wall

On the penalty appeal McCarthy added: "My players said it was a stone-wall penalty but my players would wouldn't they? I've had a look at it and it looks like a good save to me."

A round of international fixtures means McCarthy faces a fortnight before he can get the majority of his squad back together and the Wolves boss admits he will have to pick them up for the away trip to Everton.

"I knew that before the game and if we would have won it's a great period when you've won.

"Unfortunately we've got two weeks of feeling lousy and they don't come back in until Friday and we will have to prepare for our next game then."

From BBC Sport

Wolverhampton   0 - 1   Portsmouth

Yebda marked his first Portsmouth start with the winning goal

By Peter Scrivener

Portsmouth ended a turbulent week with their first Premier League win of the season courtesy of Hassan Yebda's goal.

The Algerian midfielder, who is on loan from Benfica, powerfully headed in Kevin Prince Boateng's right-wing cross after Wolves failed to clear a corner.

Home keeper Wayne Hennessey then pulled off a fine save, low to his right, from Aruna Dindane's first-time strike.

Wolves were denied a second-half penalty after Marc Wilson appeared to handle Michael Kightly's cross.

Entire seasons can change on pieces of good fortune and Portsmouth's may well have done just that on Saturday at Molineux with two important calls going their way.

Eighteen minutes into the first half the assistant referee correctly flagged for a corner for the south coast club.

The home side were appealing for a goal-kick after Tommy Smith looked to have run the ball out of play but it was George Elokobi's block that deflected the ball out.

From the resulting corner, Matt Jarvis blocked a goal-bound Yebda effort and the ball cannoned out for a second Pompey corner.

This time Wolves failed to clear the danger and Boateng swung a right-wing cross into the six-yard box which Yebda emphatically nodded in.

The second came 18 minutes into the second half when Kightly whipped in a cross from the right and Wilson's arm made contact with the ball but neither referee Howard Webb or his assistant saw the misdemeanour and awarded Wolves a corner.

It was vital that Portsmouth's players, who were not paid this week after a delay in the transfer of funds following Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover in August, started the game in positive fashion.

Boateng led the way. He forced Hennessey into a smart save at his near post after spinning away from Elokobi and blazed an always rising shot over the bar from 30 yards after another neat turn.

Smith was also causing problems, jinking between two Wolves defenders before squaring for Dindane, but his first-time poke with the outside of his right boot was pushed away by Hennessey and Smith smashed his follow-up from an acute angle wide.

Wolves were neat and intricate in their build-up play, but all-too often their efforts came to nought as they ran into a sea of blue.

Pompey keeper David James saved an early effort from Matt Jarvis and bravely blocked a late Andy Keogh shot, while Tal Ben-Haim threw himself in front of Kevin Doyle's follow-up.

The introduction of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Kightly at half-time breathed new life into the home side as rain began to fall in the Black Country.

But for all their endeavour, Wolves struggled to break down a resolute Portsmouth defence and Jarvis's long-range effort remained their only decent shot after the break until Greg Halford went close with a couple of late free-kicks.

His first, from 30 yards, curled just wide but his second forced James into a smart save.

From Henry's lay-off, Halford flicked the ball in the air and volleyed through a sea of players, but James pushed the ball wide and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake smashed the rebound off target.

A couple of late Wolves corners will not have helped Pompey owner Al Fahim's recovery from surgery on Friday, but his side held on for their first victory of the season and they will now look to become the first side since Liverpool in 1899 to avoid relegation after losing their opening seven games of the season.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"The big thing for me is we defended the corner but we didn't block the ball coming back in.

"We are coming off with a defeat because we didn't defend properly. We were not outplayed, we just didn't do the basics properly.

"Michael Kightly said it was a stonewall penalty, but then he would say that because he's one of our players. But we shouldn't be discussing that. If we hadn't conceded it would be 0-0 and then I would be able to discuss the decisions that didn't go our way.

"I know Paul Hart well, but I'm not happy for him. I can't be. I wanted to heap more misery on him today. Sympathy is in short supply here."

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart:
"I am relieved and delighted and proud of the players because we've been through the mill.

"We didn't play as well as we have done in the last few weeks, but they grafted hard.

"We've been playing well with control and cool heads that belies the position we're in.

"Certain things ran for us today, but we've earned that luck with the performances we've put in against the likes of Everton and Aston Villa in recent weeks.

"At the same stage last season Spurs had two points, so we're one better than that."

From Wolves.co.uk

Great news as Stearman and Iwelumo return tonight Reserves Squad For Chelsea Posted on: Tue 29 Sep 2009 Chris Iwelumo and Richard Stearman both make their comebacks from injury in tonight's reserve game with Chelsea at Telford.   The pair are joined by other senior players in the starting line-up including Carl Ikeme, Mark Little, Matt Hill and Sam Vokes. Chris's only competitive football since suffering a knee injury against Birmingham at the beginning of April has been by playing the first 18 minutes of the first pre-season friendly against Perth Glory when he broke a metatarsal.   After undergoing surgery, the Scottish striker who notched 15 goals last season has spent almost three months on his rehabilitation ahead of tonight's return to action.   Richard meanwhile had made an impressive start to life in the top flight after coming in after Kevin Foley's opening day hamstring injury.   Some consistent displays at right back also included the crucial equaliser against Hull, but the England-under-21 defender suffered an ankle injury in training on the Friday before Wolves' game against Fulham on September 19.   Initially it was feared there could have been a break, but an X-ray revealed nothing untoward and just 11 days later Richard is now primed to launch his comeback.   Kick off at Telford's New Bucks Head Ground is 7pm and admission is free for Season Ticket Holder, £4 for adults and £1 for concessions.   WOLVES: Ikeme, Little, Malone, Stearman, Hill, Davis, Mendez-Laing, Rooney, Vokes, Iwelumo, Hemmings. SUBS: East, Metcalf, Griffiths, Ismail, Harris, Landell, Szabo.

Wolves v Pompey

From Sky Sports

Mick McCarthy has labelled next weekend's clash with Portsmouth as a 'pressure game' following Wolves' defeat to Sunderland on Sunday.

The Wolves manager noted that the game with Pompey was always going to be a crunch match regardless of how his team faired at the Stadium of Light as both teams battle to avoid becoming embroiled in a relegation scrap.

Paul Hart's men pose a funny sort of threat for Wolves. Having lost all seven of their Premier League fixtures no-one wants to go down as the team to lose to the South Coast club.

However, following on from his side's good showing on Wearside, where Wolves were unlucky to lose 5-2, McCarthy insists he will not lose too much sleep worrying over the game this week.

"Portsmouth at home was always going to be a pressure game," he told the Express & Star.

"They haven't won for seven games - I wish they had.

Pressure game

"If we'd have won yesterday would it have lessened the pressure of the Portsmouth game? No chance.

"They played well against Everton but I won't be losing any sleep this week, no."

McCarthy felt his side were let down by two poor refereeing decisions at the weekend, both of which could have changed the outcome of the match.

"I thought the first penalty was harsh," he added. "Castillo got his foot to the ball and their man fell over. I don't think the referee had a great view of it.

"He saw him fall over and thought it was a penalty. That wasn't fair on us. The second was a stone-waller.

"I think we should have had a penalty. I didn't know when barging someone in the back was not a penalty. If it had gone to 1-1 I might have fancied us because we have had most of the game at that point."

From Teamtalk

Coleman set to complete Vokes loan

Coventry manager Chris Coleman has revealed he finally hopes to have Wolves striker Sam Vokes on board some time this week.

Vokes: Set to join Coventry

It emerged last Wednesday the Sky Blues had beaten off a host of Championship rivals to snatch the Wales international's signature on a maximum three-month loan deal.

Coleman had initially hoped to have Vokes in his squad for Saturday's 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough but that failed to materialise due to unknown circumstances.

But he is now hoping to see the 19-year-old pull on a Coventry shirt for the first time this week, although that happening in time for Tuesday's trip to Watford appears unlikely.

"It's dragged on a little bit but through no fault of our own or Wolves', sometimes with these things it's just the way they're drawn out," Coleman told a fans' forum.

Armchair Match Report - Sunderland 5 Wolves 2

Something of a bizarre game today as the score looks like a battering but the score deceives. Wolves offered plenty in this game, certainly in an attacking context, although defending was poor at times. Game got off to the worst possible start as on 7mins Sunderland were awarded a debateable penalty for Castillo's challange on Bent. There was some contact but not that much but as is players want these days, Bent went down like the proverbial sack of spuds and the ref was only too happy to oblige! 1-0 down as Bent puts the spotkick away well but Wolves were having plenty of possession without creating clear cut chances. Doyle and Keough were busy although not really getting into threatening positions. Later on in the half a free kick in from the right into the Sunderland box saw Doyle clearly pushed to the ground by Turner. Blatant penalty but the ref, who had a perfect view from less than 10 yards away waved play on. If the Sunderland pen was debateable, then this was a stonewaller! A shocking decision. Anyhow, got to half time with no further goals.

Second half starts and once again Wolves shoot themselves in the foot as Berra trips Bent in the box, which on this occassion was a blatant penalty and needless to say, the ref was falling over himself to give it. Bent then bizarrely allows Keynwyn Jones to take the penalty but the same result ensues and Wolves are 2-0 down. This really was harsh and Wolves came storming back with lots of attacking play in a very open second half. We pull one back when a sharp cross from Berra of all players is parried by the Sunderland goalie into his own defender for an own goal. 2-1 and game on. Wolves continued to pour forward with lots of neat passing football and manage to level the game when a backpass from Richardson nearly goes in, with the keeper having to use his hand to stop the ball. Free kick about 6 yards out is taken by Henry but is blocked on the line but the rebound falls to Doyle who tucked it away in the corner well.
The game continues in this open vein and Wolves still pressing. However, Sunderland were counter attacking and Jones and Bent had been a handful all afternoon. Jones makes a run and finds himself at the edge of the box as Berra and Mancienne try to close him down unsuccessfully as he puts a fine shot into the bottom corner of the net. 3-2 down and worse was to follow as poor marking from a corner allowed Turner to head in unchallenged to make it 4-2 to Sunderland. Wolves continued to press and had a header cleared off the line and Ebanks Blake, who replaced Doyle, having another good close range chance that he fluffed with a poor header. However, to add insult to injury Bent got clear on the right hand side of the box and saw his shot deflect wickedly off Mancienne and past Hennessey to make it 5-2. This was a highly flattering scoreline and the gap was nothing like that. In fact Steve Bruce frankly admitted as such in the post match interview. Still, decent performance or not we had lost and worsened our goal difference to -6 as well. Not a good weekend, particularly as a number of those who are likely to be down there got surprising wins. Having watched the Pompey Everton game yesterdasy, Pompey were really unlucky not to get anything and it is far from a foregone conclusion that we will win next Saturday! They've lost seven on the bounce but that run must emd sooner or later but lets hope we get the kind of luck and homer of a referee that we saw today!
The pluses today were decent attacking performance with Doyle looking the part, Henry solid and I thought Jarvis did well with much more threatening crossing than of late. Hennessey did well as well and I have been much more impressed with his work this season. Seems to be making a conscious effort to be more commanding in his box. Of the negatives, I though Berra was poor and Ebanks Blake seems still to be way off the pace. Kightly got a secondf half run out as well but needs game time also. Not fair at this stage to say that Pompey game is must win, but it would be a big help.


BBC Sport Online Match Report

Sunderland   5 - 2   Wolverhampton

By Paul Fletcher

Jones scored his third and fourth goals of the season

Kenwyne Jones scored twice as Sunderland defeated Wolves to climb to eighth in the Premier League.

The Black Cats struck penalties early in either half, with Darren Bent scoring the first and Jones the second.

Sunderland defender John Mensah chested the ball into his own net before Kevin Doyle equalised from close range.

But Jones restored his team's lead with a long-range strike before Michael Turner's header and Bent's deflected shot sealed the win for the home side.

The game exploded into life after the break - with six second-half goals - but the scoreline was harsh on a Wolves side that enjoyed periods of superiority during the match.

Mick McCarthy failed to win a top-flight game at home in 19 attempts as manager of Sunderland and leaves the Stadium of Light as a loser once again.

But at least he has the small consolation of seeing his team demonstrate their attacking potential.

606: DEBATE Sunderland look pretty decent going forward but dodgy at the back Poolie_Mackem

Sunderland's sequence of lose one, win one continues but boss Steve Bruce, who saw his team defeat Hull 4-1 in their last home game, can be delighted with the form of first-choice strikeforce Bent and Jones.

Nevertheless, it was a far from convincing all-round performance from the Black Cats, who looked shaky at the back and squandered possession far too easily.

Bent opened the scoring after nine minutes with his sixth goal of the Premier League season, ensuring that he has now scored in five of Sunderland's seven top-flight fixtures.

The striker's spot-kick nestled in the bottom corner, eluding Wayne Hennessy's desperate dive, but Wolves were furious with referee Lee Mason's decision to award a penalty.

It was a very difficult call for the official, although replays suggested that Segundo Castillo made contact with the ball before he tangled with Bent.

Wolves had a strong penalty shout of their own after the half hour when Turner knocked Doyle out of the way as he attempted to head clear an Andy Keogh cross but Mason waved play on.

The visiting team's irritation was nearly compounded by another Sunderland goal, but Hennessey blocked at the legs of Jones and then regained his feet to make a decent save when the striker audaciously shot from a tight angle seconds later.

It was a very competitive match, with crunching tackles and honest endeavour outweighing moments of great skill.

Wolves started to take control of the contest during the first half and came close to an equaliser when David Edwards flicked the ball towards Keogh at the far post. But the striker could not quite make the decisive contact.

Then deep in first-half injury time, Doyle headed narrowly wide from a Matt Jarvis free-kick with Craig Gordon well beaten.

The visitors' hopes of taking something from the match suffered when Christophe Berra fouled Bent minutes after the restart.

It was a definite penalty - and although eyebrows were raised when Jones rather then Bent took the kick, the dreadlocked striker sent Hennessey the wrong way.

Wolves responded immediately, although there was a hint of fortune as Gordon palmed a cross straight at Mensah, who inadvertently guided the ball into this own net off his chest.

Sunderland left-back Kieran Richardson must be held responsible for Wolves' equaliser. His awful backpass left Gordon with no choice but to dive and palm the ball clear - in the process conceding an indirect free-kick.

Karl Henry's shot struck the wall but Doyle pounced on the rebound as Wolves scored their second in the space of five minutes.

The home side regained the lead through Jones' excellent finish with 20 minutes remaining. The Trinidad and Tobago striker shot low across goal from 25 yards, his precise effort eluding Hennessey's dive.

Sunderland then secured their fourth win of the season when Turner scored his first goal for the club with a header from a corner.

Wolves continued to attack, with Richardson heading off the line to prevent Greg Halford from scoring.

However, the final goal of the match went to the home side, with Bent's strike deflecting off Mancienne on its way to goal.

---

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce:
"It is just an incredible result but at times our defending was comical. The coaching staff have to sort out the situation defensively.

"Thankfully at the top end of the pitch we have a genuine threat and have used them to get out of jail.

"But we have got to be delighted with the start we have made to the season."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"It will be a talking point that a promoted team got slapped for five but we had lots of chances.

"We had them by the scruff of the throat at 2-2 and there were lots of positives from the performance.

"All of us thought that we could go on and win the game but unfortunately we lost it in the process."

Wolves 2 Fulham 1 (Doyle, Edwards - Murphy pen)

Went to today's game and was pleasantly surprised by the result although the performance still left areas for improvement.

Team included Castillo in central midfield, with Halford going to right back and Edwards coming in on the right wing. Milijas and Stearman made way and there were welcome returns to the bench for Kightly and Ebanks Blake.

In brief, first half was a fairly scrappy affair with Wolves having most of it and Fulham offering little up front. Berra and Mancienne dealt comfortably with Johnson and Zamora and this was certainly Berra's most accomplished performance in quite a while. Strangely Duff spent most time on the right flank and conjured up little of note. It was surprising that he was not switched to attack the less experienced and less pacey Halford on the other flank. Halford, happily for him and us had little to do and did ok. Finally got the break through with a Doyle close range header from a knocked on throw in. It was good to see him get off the mark. Just before the break Keough had the ball in the net with a neatly taken finish that was ruled offside. Haven't seen the highlights on MOTD yet but that'll be interesting.

Second half was much better at first and we were much more fluent and Castillo was getting involved and breaking it up in midfield. I wonder if he and Henry are too similar in style but it certainly worked today. Jarvis was seeing lots of the ball but his work lacks consistency. Anyhow a break down the right flank saw good work from Keough to set up an unmarked Edwards to slam the ball in from just inside the box. Well taken goal but Fulham's defence was all over the shop. We then had a real go at them and could easily have had a third but substitions altered the game with Davies coming on for Fulham and Duff switching wings. Fulham were coming forward and Wolves weren't helping themselves by just hoofing away back to Fulham half. Must be told to keep the ball shirley? Anyhow, pressure told in the end as Mancienne pulled Johnson (I think) back in the box and ref awarded a penalty. Too difficult to see from my end whether it was justified but the players did not protest too much. Murphy dispatched penalty and we had a nervous last 20mins or so as Wolves played cautiously and at times nervously although I can only recall one clear chance, falling to Camara, but it was smothered by Hennessey.

Happily held on to get 3 vital points and move up to the heady height of 12th in table. Happy days!

Here's the BBC Sport view

Wolverhampton   2 - 1   Fulham

Kevin Doyle scored 18 Championship goals for Reading last season

By Mike Henson

A tenacious display earned Wolves their first Premier League home win of the season as they held off a Fulham side given hope by Danny Murphy's penalty.

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle nodded in from close range to open the scoring and claim his first goal for the club.

Dave Edwards smashed home a second from Andy Keogh's pass as the hosts started the second half at a canter.

A foul by Michael Mancienne on Bobby Zamora allowed Murphy to slot home but Wolves deservedly held on.

With Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Michael Kightly, two of the attacking stars of their Championship title run, named as substitutes Wolves manager Mick McCarthy may have been hoping that his bench might provide a cutting edge for his goal-shy side.

606: DEBATE It was vital we won and we have LoudMetalWolf

But the home side's early pressure came from a more direct source as Greg Halford's long throws posed problems for the Fulham defence.

His first, eagerly anticipated by the crowd, was met by Brede Hangeland's forehead but his next effort from the sidelines proved better directed.

Christophe Berra's brave flick-on flew straight to Doyle who redirected it into the corner of the net.

A club record signing from Reading in the summer, the striker had already seen Schwarzer comfortably let two wayward efforts snake wide of the goal, but his predatory instincts took him into the perfect position to net his first for the club.

Another new arrival Segundo Castillo, making his debut after agreeing a loan spell from Red Star Belgrade, tried his luck from 35 yards, but his dipping effort found only the advertising hoardings.

Spurred on by demands to keep the tempo high from the home dugout, Wolves' workrate appeared to have Fulham dazed, and the visitors struggled to muster a response beyond a surge into the box by Bobby Zamora.

A shuddering challenge on John Pantsil by Berra that left the full-back floored, but fairly dispossessed, epitomised the hosts' honest endeavour.

They came within a linesman's flag of being rewarded with second just before the break when Andy Keogh swept home an inviting cross only to be adjudged marginally offside.

There was no let-up after the break and Edwards' pressure prompted Clint Dempsey to carelessly give the ball away to Keogh before the midfielder continued his run and found the roof of Schwarzer's net from his colleague's return pass.

With the home support baying for more and Fulham rocked, McCarthy's side pushed forward in search of a knockout blow to end the contest.

Edwards almost tackled Schwarzer as he dealt with a tricky back-pass and the goalkeeper was again put under pressure from his defence as he pushed away an Aaron Hughes header bound for his own net.

But a well-struck shot from Dickson Etuhu and a half-chance for Zamora suggested there was still life in the visitors.

And their revival suddenly gained pace as a tussle between Mancienne and Zamora in the six-yard box convinced referee Kevin Friend to point to the spot in his first Premier League appearance.

Murphy stroked home to pull his side back into the game, but the goal seemed to concentrate Wolves' minds rather than fuel a comeback.

The introduction of two strikers, former West Brom player Diomansy Kamara for Fulham and Wolves' top-scorer from last season Ebanks-Blake, provoked contrasting responses from the Molineux faithful with 12 minutes left.

But they were stunned into silence almost immediately when a catastrophic failure of their rearguard's offside trap left Hennessey hopelessly unprotected and almost gifted Kamara a goal.

Fulham ratcheted up the pressure as they threw men forward in the final stages, but it failed to produce any clear-cut chances and Friend eventually bowed to the crowd's demands for the final whistle.

---

Wolves' boss Mick McCarthy:
"We won't win anything if we don't work hard.

"I thought it was a really good performance. We were energetic, we closed them down and pressed the ball really well.

"There have to be a lot of good performances for us to have won that game but I thought Christophe Berra was a difference class.

"In the last 10 minutes when they were throwing balls into the box he headed everything."

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson:
"We left it late to start playing the football we should be playing.

"All credit to Wolves, their pressurising and controlled aggression made life difficult.

"We didn't deal with that very well at all, it's as simple as that. I don't think there was anything about our play as such, it was more we didn't do well against them.

"But I thought it was a performance, for 60 minutes, most unlike us. I've not seen us give the ball away or miss as many passes as much as we did in that game."