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#     Date                          Time     Home                  score  Away                  pt Σ pos gd report link

 

40  Sat 4th April         15:00      Notts Forest  X-x Wolves  Forest

39 Fri 20th March    19:45       Wolves                  2-0    Derby County  3 65  7 +11 Rams

38 Tue17th March    19:45       Wolves                  3-0  Sheffield Weds 3 62 8 +9   Owls

37 Sat 14th March    15:00       Brighton & HA     1-1       Wolves           1  59 8  6    Albion

36 Sat 7th  March      15:00       Wolves                 2-2     Watford            1  58  8  6   Hornets H

35 Tue 3rd March      19:45      Bournemouth      2-1     Wolves             0  57  8  6  Cherries A


Nottingham Forest  Wolves   


Wolves 2 Dicko 48′ Grant 69′ (og) Derby County 0 Live on Sky


FT 90 +5 HT 0-0

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: Molineux Date: Friday, 20 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Wolves 2 Derby 0 - Report and pictures here http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/20/wolves-2-derby-0-report-and-pictures/

Wolves are only out of the Championship play-off places on goal difference tonight after a 2-0 win at home to fellow promotion chasers Derby County.

Goals: Dicko 48, Grant (og) 69.

Wolves (4-4-2): Kuszczak, Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne; Henry (van La Parra 67), Price, McDonald, Sako, Afobe (Doyle 90), Dicko (Edwards 65). Substitutes not used: McCarey (GK), Ebanks-Landell, Hause, Iorfa.

Derby County (4-3-3): Grant, Christie, Keogh, Albentosa, Forsyth; Hughes, Ince, Bryson, Russell (Hawkins 70), Bent, Lingard. Substitutes not used: Roos (GK), Ward, Hanson, Thomas, Shotton, Warnock.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Dorset)  Attendance: 27, 480 (2,576 Derby fans).


Nouha Dicko’s sweet strike and goalkeeper Lee Grant’s comical own goal saw Kenny Jackett’s side home in a keenly-contested affair, writes Craig Birch.  Molineux’s second highest gate of the season - 27,480 - were in attendance as the nation watched on Sky Sports. Ticket prices had been slashed for the fixture.  Wolves signed off for the international break in style and left the onus on the five teams in the top six playing tomorrow, before they return to action at Nottingham Forest on Good Friday.  The teams went at each other with gusto in the early exchanges, but it was Derby who could have been ahead before Wolves really threatened.  They were keen to hit the hosts on the break and nearly did just that in the 16th minute, when Craig Forsyth’s low cross skidded across the box but a sliding Darren Bent couldn’t connect.  Derby dangerman Thomas Ince then rattled the woodwork in the 25th minute haring down on goal, his looping effort bouncing off the crossbar.  But, just when the visitors were starting to take command, Grant had to come to the rescue in the 26th minute.  Dicko pinged in a cross from the right which strike partner Benik Afobe managed to latch onto, but Grant intervened to save with his legs.  Afobe and Dicko both fired wide soon after his did Ince, who then forced a strong save from goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak as the England Under-21 international shone.  Wolves could arguably have been down to 10 men five minutes before half-time in a real let off for Danny Batth.  He pulled down Bent just outside the box and, as the last man, that could have well been it for the home skipper. Referee Keith Stroud didn’t even book him, despite giving a free kick. Both sides went in deadlocked with it all to play for after the break, with the tempo upped at the restart and to Wolves’ advantage.  They were suddenly battering the Rams and just three minutes of the second-half had elapsed when they got their noses in front through Dicko.  Another pass from Kevin McDonald was picked beautifully as he sprayed the ball diagonally to the left hand edge of the box, where Dicko was advancing. The striker jinked his way in, drawing Grant and then the defenders before slotting the ball into the far corner, giving Wolves the advantage they needed.  Derby tried in vain for a swift response with Jesse Lingard drawing the hands of Kuszczak with a shot from outside the box on 54, a flailing Richard Stearman then hacking the ball away.  It could and perhaps should have 2-0 in the 57th minute, as another choice delivery from that man McDonald left Afobe tussling with Forsyth to break free.  The full-back was riding on the forward’s coat-tails by the time he got into the box and his shot flew over Grant, but proved too high as it the crossbar and bounced over.  Then came the killer goal from a Rams perspective in the 69th minute, as Wolves were all but handed the three points as the away side imploded.  It wasn’t far substitute Rajiv van La Parra’s first touch as he burst through on Derby’s right hand side, before lifting a speculative ball into the box.  First Forsyth made a hash of a clearance that dropped right on his foot as it looped over him, before Grant spilled a routine catch completely for the ball to inexplicably drop into the net.  There was no stopping Wolves after that gift as they shut up shop and invited pressure, which Steve McLaren’s shell-shocked side could no longer provide.  Instead, it was Wolves who could have made the result more emphatic at the death. Bakary Sako worked himself into a good position only to fire over in stoppage time.

BEEB

Wolves moved into the Championship play-off scramble with two second-half goals to beat promotion rivals Derby County.  After Tom Ince had hit the bar in a first-half shaded by the Rams, Wolves struck through Nouha Dicko three minutes after the restart.  Rams keeper Lee Grant's own goal then sealed Wolves' rise to seventh, level on points with sixth-place Brentford. Derby remain fifth after their winless run stretched to six matches. Although they were denied by a succession of saves in both halves from Wolves keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, Derby could not find a way through, leaving Steve McClaren's one-time promotion favourites just two points better off than Kenny Jackett's Wolves.   Apart from one menacing run to the bye line by Bakary Sako, Wolves's promising start in front of a near capacity crowd had rather lost its way by the break.  Derby four times went close, with Ince, son of former Wolves skipper Paul, being denied first by the bar, then by home keeper Kuszczak, who also made full-length saves to block Jesse Lingard and Craig Bryson. There was also a moment of contention when Darren Bent went down easily following a brush with Richard Stearman on the edge of the box but, although referee Keith Stroud gave a free-kick, he chose not to punish the Wolves player. Derby's growing authority vanished just three minutes into the second half when visiting left-back Craig Forsyth's loose pass triggered the opening goal.  Kevin McDonald fed Dicko and, after appearing to take the ball a little too wide, he turned to drill a low left-foot shot which nutmegged the hapless recovering Forsyth, brushing his thigh on the corner of the six-yard box on the way in.  Benik Afobe might have made it two with a powerful right-foot shot which hit the bar before Wolves' opponents somehow engineered a scrappy second for their hosts Richard Keogh's clearance span wickedly high up into the air and, with Danny Batth making a nuisance of himself at the near post, Grant was sufficiently distracted to flap the viciously spinning ball into his own net


Table toppers

Both Derby and Wolves have topped the Championship table this season, although the time spent on top by Steve McClaren's Rams at various times accounts for a lot longer. By comparison, Wolves's time at the top, after the 0-0 lunchtime draw with Birmingham City on 1 November, lasted just two hours


LINEUP, BOOKINGS (1) & SUBS (4)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 02 Doherty 06 Batth 05 Stearman 03 Golbourne 07 Henry (van La Parra - 68' ) 11 McDonald 19 Price 10 Sako 12 Afobe (Doyle - 90' ) 40 Dicko (Edwards - 65' ) Substitutes 04 Edwards 13

McCarey 16 Doyle 17 van La Parra 23 Ebanks-Landell 30 Hause 33 Iorfa

Derby County

01 Grant 02 Christie Booked 06 Keogh 36 Albentosa 03 Forsyth 19 Hughes 04 Bryson 11 Russell (Dawkins - 70' ) 23 Ince 16 Lingard 39 Bent Substitutes 07 Dawkins 10 Ward 21 Roos 26 Hanson 29

Thomas 32 Shotton 37 Warnock

Ref: Keith Stroud

Att: 27,480

MATCH STATS 90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers Derby County

Possession  39% 61%

Shots  10 19

On target  3 8

Corners  4 4

Fouls  10 9

Live Text Commentary


90:00 +4:45 Full time

Full Time

Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Derby County 0. 90:00 +4:14 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. 90:00 +3:24 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Simon Dawkins. 90:00 +2:34 Foul by Craig Forsyth (Derby County). 90:00 +2:34 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 89:55  Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin Doyle replaces Benik Afobe. 89:03 Foul by Simon Dawkins (Derby County). 89:03 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 87:00 Attempt blocked. Darren Bent (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Simon Dawkins. 86:30 Attempt blocked. Will Hughes (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Craig Forsyth with a headed pass. 85:35 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Danny Batth tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 83:53 Will Hughes (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 83:53 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 81:37 Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Cyrus Christie. 80:12 Foul by Raúl Albentosa (Derby County). 80:12 Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 79:35 Foul by Will Hughes (Derby County). 79:35 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 79:08 Attempt saved. Simon Dawkins (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Cyrus Christie. 77:31 Offside, Derby County. Cyrus Christie tries a through ball, but Raúl Albentosa is caught offside.  76:45 Jesse Lingard (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 76:45 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 76:23 Simon Dawkins (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 76:23 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 75:31 Attempt missed. Darren Bent (Derby County) header from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left. Assisted by Craig Bryson with a cross following a corner. 75:10 Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 73:18 Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Simon Dawkins. 71:36 Foul by Simon Dawkins (Derby County). 71:36 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69:47 Sub, Derby County. Simon Dawkins replaces Johnny Russell. 68:01 Goal scored Goal!

Own Goal by Lee Grant, Derby County. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Derby County 0. 67:33 Foul by Craig Forsyth (Derby County). 67:33 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 67:03 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rajiv van La Parra replaces James Henry. 65:25 Jesse Lingard (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 65:25 Foul by James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 64:55 Johnny Russell (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 64:55 Foul by Scott Golbourne (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 64:33 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Dave Edwards replaces Nouha Dicko. 61:49 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Danny Batth. 61:30 Cyrus Christie (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 61:30 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 61:14 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin McDonald tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 59:44 Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 58:27 Attempt blocked. Darren Bent (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Craig Forsyth. 56:50 Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 55:04 Attempt missed. Tom Ince (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jesse Lingard. 54:47 Attempt saved. Craig Bryson (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jesse Lingard. 53:31 Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Will Hughes.

47:46 Goal scored oal!

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Derby County 0. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 45:00

Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Derby County 0.


MATCH STATS HT

Wolverhampton Wanderers Derby County

Possession 50% 50%

Shots  6 9

On target  2 3

Corners  3 3

Fouls  4 3

Live Text Commentary


 45:00 +1:12 Half time First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Derby County 0. 45:00 +0:10 Cyrus Christie (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 44:51 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 44:51 Foul by Cyrus Christie (Derby County). 43:48 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 43:48 Will Hughes (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 41:00 Attempt saved. Craig Bryson (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 38:52 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 38:52 Darren Bent (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 37:41 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Richard Keogh. 36:53 Attempt missed. Craig Forsyth (Derby County) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Craig Bryson following a corner. 36:51 Attempt missed. Craig Bryson (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner. 36:21 Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Tomasz Kuszczak. 36:18 Attempt saved. Tom Ince (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Will Hughes. 34:43 Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Tomasz Kuszczak. 34:41 Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Tom Ince. 32:49 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by James Henry. 30:57 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Benik Afobe.  29:22 Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Kevin McDonald. 29:19 Attempt missed. Will Hughes (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 26:13 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 26:13 Foul by Cyrus Christie (Derby County). 26:00 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 24:37 Tom Ince (Derby County) hits the bar with a left footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Craig Forsyth with a cross. 23:23 Attempt missed. James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 20:04 Dangerous play by Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 20:04 Craig Bryson (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 17:37 Attempt missed. James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from very close range is too high.

Assisted by Bakary Sako with a cross following a corner. 17:17 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Cyrus Christie. 16:32 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Craig Bryson. 9:40 Jesse Lingard (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 9:40 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 7:31 Foul by Will Hughes (Derby County). 7:31 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 5:54 Attempt missed. Johnny Russell (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Will Hughes. 1:09 Attempt blocked. Darren Bent (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 0:00First Half begins.


TEAM NEWS


Wolves defenders Richard Stearman and Dominic Iorfa are fit to face Derby after recovering from injury problems.  Stearman was stretchered off during Tuesday's 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Molineux with nerve pain in his back and hamstring.

Derby County defender Jake Buxton is likely to miss the match with a back problem.  Striker Chris Martin and midfielder John Eustace are also out as Derby aim to end a five-game winless run.

Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett told BBC Sport:

"Richard Stearman's partnership with Danny Batth has been my preferred selection and I'm glad that's able to continue.  Games like this whet the appetite. Everybody's got their eyes on that top six and what it takes to get there. Making that late run is something we're all trying to do. All we can do is worry about ourselves.  I'm not surprised Derby are up there in contention again. We've worked hard to keep on their coat tails from when they beat us earlier in the season and we're pleased to still be up there in the mix.  Over the last two years, Derby have shown that they're one of the best footballing sides in the division. A lot of what they do, I admire. If they get there, their style would really suit the Premier League."

MATCH FACTS


Head-to-head

Derby won the earlier meeting this season 5-0 at the iPro Stadium in November - their first win in six meetings. The Rams have won only one of the last seven meetings at Molineux. Their only

win there since 1994 was 1-0 in September 2006.

Wolves

Wolves' win against Sheffield Wednesday at home on Tuesday was their first victory in four matches.  They have won three of their last four home games, drawing the other. Their last defeat at

Molineux was 2-1 against Reading on 7 February.

Derby

Derby have failed to win any of their last five games, losing three. Their last win was 2-0 against Charlton at home on 24 February.  The Rams have not won any of their last five away games, losing

two. Their last win on the road was 2-0 at Cardiff on 31 January.



Wolves   3  Sako 18′ (pen) Afobe 55′ Henry 67′ Sheffield Wednesday 0

Richard Stearman was stretchered off in his 200th game for Wolves.  He pulled up sharply after a polite shoulder charge knocked an Owl over and another strong display.  Outstanding goal from James Henry a sub after RVLP appeared to have forgotten how to track back.

Wolves 3 Sheffield Wed 0 - Report and pictures at http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/17/wolves-3-sheffield-wed-0-report-and-pictures/



It started with a dodgy penalty but it ended with one of Wolves’ most convincing victories of a pulsating season that refuses to die for Kenny Jackett’s side. Bakary Sako’s 18th-minute spot kick following Nouha Dicko’s fall that looked right out of Fernando Forestieri’s book of tricks paved the way for a third win in four home games.  Benik Afobe (55) and substitute James Henry (67) added the gloss that was slightly tarnished by Richard Stearman’s exit on a stretcher 17 minutes from time.  But it was just the sort of determined, full throttle

performance to make the missing fans whet their lips in anticipation of Friday night’s televised visit of Derby.  Jackett made two changes from the line-up that made it successive draws at Brighton on Saturday.  Scott Golbourne and Nouha Dicko replaced Kortney Hause and James Henry as Jackett went for a more attacking team.  Wolves, unusually kicking towards the South Bank in the first half, immediately set about putting Wednesday under pressure.  There was plenty of possession but little in the way of clear-cut chances until after Rajiv Van La Parra crossed too close to keeper Keiren Westwood in the 11th minute, with both strikers poised to pounce in the box.  Wednesday threatened two minutes later when Tom Lees climbed between two Wolves players at  the far post but nodded too high from Jeremy Helan’s deep free kick.  But the home side were quite literally in a hurry as they chased an early breakthrough, and they took the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances.  Nouha Dicko skipped past the challenge of Helan but was still accelerating when he was caught by minimal contact from Claude Dielna, who had made three glorious interceptions earlier to deny the fired-up Wolves attack.  Referee Simon Hooper had no hesitation in pointing to the spot however and Sako side-footed home for his 12th goal of the season, but

only the second penalty.  For the home side, virtually all their concentration was on pushing forwards at every opportunity.  But they had to be wary of Wednesday on the break and in ex-Owls loan defender Danny Batth, Wolves had the right man in the right place on three occasions to head powerfully away.  Kevin McDonald was having arguably the best attacking display in a Wolves shirt as he burst forward on several occasions from central midfield.   And it all added up to what was probably Wolves’ most attacking performance of the season as they forced another four good chances in eight minutes either side of the half hour.  Jack Price rolled the ball wide after Sako played it into Matt Doherty who miscued his shot and van La Parra’s effort was blocked on 25 minutes.  Two minutes later, Benik Afobe put Dicko through but the striker produced a poor first touch and the ball rolled harmlessly behind.  On 32, Dicko was much closer as his spectacular curling shot from 20 yards was superbly clawed out of the air by a flying save from Keiren Westwood palming away.  Within 60 seconds, Price sidefooted straight at the keeper after Sako put Van La Parra through for the cut back on the overlap.  That was it from Wolves as attacking force before the break, but they couldn’t relax.  Wednesday threatened with a header from Jacques Maghoma that had keeper Tomasz Kuszczak at full stretch to palm away in the 36th minute.  The competitive edge of the game threatened to spill over in the two minutes of time added on at the end of the first half.  First, Afobe caught Helan late with a challenge and the noise of the collision could be heard around the ground.  Then Sam Hutchinson did what looked like the same thing on Sako.  If Wolves thought they were going to repeat their furious first half by laying siege to the Wednesday goal, they were sadly mistaken. Instead the Owls tried in vain for the equaliser.  Maghoma was inches away with a curling shot that bounced just wide of Kuszczak’s left-hand post.  Wednesday continued to cause Wolves problems and a header from the towering Atdhe Nuhui bounced on top of the net to give the hosts another nervous moment.  Jackett felt the need to change things and in the 52nd minute he brought on Henry for Van La Parra, who had something of an untidy start to the second half.  Wolves broke to double their lead with their first real attack of the second half on the hour.  The excellent Doherty looked up from the right and his cross was perfect for the in-rushing Afobe to meet it full on the volley.  The ball hit the inside of Westwood’s right-hand post before nestling in the opposite corner for his eighth goal in 13 games for Wolves and 27th of the season.  And Henry duly made it 3-0, floating a delicious rising shot into the far corner of the net after cutting in from the right and adjusting himself to strike it with his right foot.  But there was more drama to come as Stearman, clearly struggling, fell to the floor after deliberately poking the ball out for a throw-in in the 73rd minute.  And the Wolverhampton-born stopper suffered the misfortune of being stretchered off on his 200th League game for the club.  Ethan Ebanks-Landell replaced him for his first start since November 22.  Wolves will be hoping the damage to Stearman isn’t long term as they could do without disruptions at this stage.  But either way, the team look set for the challenge of Derby - and the race for a play-off place is still very much on.


Wolves (4-4-2): Kuszczak, Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne, Van La Parra (Henry 52), Price, McDonald (Edwards 88), Sako, Afobe, Dicko. Substitutes not used: McCarey (GK), Evans, Doyle, Ebanks-Landell, Hause.

Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2): Westwood, Vermijl, Lees, Dielna, Helan, Maguire, McGugan, Hutchinson, Maghoma, Nihui, May (Lavery 64).Substitutes not used: Kirkland (GK), Buxton, Mattock, Lee, De Havilland, Melo, Kirkland (gk).

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)  Attendance: 18,686.


Beeb Wolves 3 Sako 18′ (pen) Afobe 55′ Henry 67′  Sheffield Wednesday  0

FT 90 +5  HT 1-0


Wolves kept up their promotion hopes as some clinical finishing saw off a wasteful Sheffield Wednesday side.  Kenny Jackett's team have lost just once in their last seven games and are three

points off the play-off spots with eight games left.  Bakary Sako opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Benik Afobe doubled the lead with a volley off the post after the break.  Substitute

James Henry wrapped up the win with a curler from 20 yards.  But it could have been a different story had Stuart Gray's Owls - who had 20 shots during the game and had more possession - found

the target when on top.  Atdhe Nuhiu and Tom Lees headed wide for Wednesday, and Wolves goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak also saved well from Jacques Maghoma.  The hosts went ahead when

Nouha Dicko was tripped by Claude Dielna and Sako scored from the spot.  After the break Afobe doubled the lead with his 27th goal of the season, crashing in a fine cross from Matt Doherty. It

was three when Henry cut inside to curl into the top corner, but Wolves' night ended on a sour note when defender Richard Stearman went down injured and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher.

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett:

"It's a crucial win. We need a great run and if we can find our form then we have an opportunity, it sets up Friday against Derby as a great game.  We'll look forward to it and it's an opportunity for

us against one of the sides above us to pull them back a bit more. The gap to Derby in fifth is five points and it's the sort of night you're in the game for and we're looking quickly towards Friday."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray:

"I'm disappointed the penalty was given because it was a good tackle.  I've seen it back, we've lost possession, Wolves have broken and the boy Dielna has put a fair tackle in. I don't think he

(Dicko) has dived but his momentum took him over his leg.  What has helped is 5,000 Wolves fans appealing for the penalty, I'm disappointed but I can't blame the referee for the next two goals."

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (2) &SUBSTITUTIONS (5)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 02 Doherty 06 Batth 05 Stearman (Ebanks-Landell - 74' ) 03 Golbourne 17 van La Parra (Henry - 53' ) 19 Price 11 McDonald (Edwards - 88' ) 10 Sako 40 Dicko 12 Afobe Substitutes 04 Edwards 07 Henry 13 McCarey  14 Evans 16 Doyle 23 Ebanks-Landell 30 Hause

Sheffield Wednesday

01 Westwood 36 Vermijl 15 Lees 35 Dielna Booked 17 Helan 10 Maguire 37 McGugan Booked 04 Hutchinson (Melo Silva - 77' ) 19 Maghoma 09 Nuhiu 07 May (Lavery - 64' ) Substitutes 02 Buxton

03 Mattock 13 Lavery 20 Lee 26 De Havilland 33 Melo Silva 43 Kirkland

Ref: Simon Hooper Att: 18,687

MATCH STATS 90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers Sheffield Wednesday

Possession 44% 56%

Shots  12 20

On target  7 3

Corners  3 4

Fouls  6 13

TEAM NEWS


Wolves will be without defenders Matt Doherty (suspended) and Dominic Iorfa (ankle). Carl Ikeme and Tommy Rowe (foot), Nouha Dicko (hamstring) and Scott Golbourne (foot) are also out.

Sheffield Wednesday striker Caolan Lavery could start in place of Will Keane (ankle).  Striker Sergiu Bus (groin), defenders Glenn Loovens (ankle) and Kamil Zayatte (thigh) and midfielder Jose

Semedo (foot) are also doubts.

MATCH FACTS


Head-to-head

Wolves won the earlier meeting this season 1-0 at Hillsborough in December.  They are unbeaten in the last nine meetings, winning six. Sheffield Wednesday's last win was 3-1 at Molineux in

March 2006. Wolves are unbeaten in the last four meetings at Molineux, winning the last three.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have not won any of their last three games, losing one. Their last win was 1-0 at Cardiff on 28 February.  Wolves have lost only one of their last eight home games in the Championship.

Their only league defeat at Molineux since early December was 2-1 against Reading on 7 February.

Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday have lost only one of their last five games.  Their only defeat since 21 February was 2-1 against Blackburn at home on 4 March.  Sheffield Wednesday have won their last two

away games - at Millwall and Blackpool.

  


Brighton & Hove Albion  1 Bruno 70'  Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 van La Parra 74'

FT 90 +6

HT 0-0


SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: Amex Stadium Date: Saturday, 14 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT


Brighton 1 Wolves 1 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/14/brighton-1-wolves-1-report-and-pictures/

Wolves cut the gap to the play-off zone to three points in a deserved draw at struggling Brighton.

Defeat for sixth-placed Brentford at home to Cardiff meant Kenny Jackett’s side are now a win away from the top six with nine games left, albeit with an inferior goal difference.  Bruno Saltor put the Seagulls ahead in the 70th minute after Craig Mackail-Smith had an effort disallowed for offside on 59. But Rajiv Van La Parra will claim the 74th-minute equaliser after his right-wing cross was fumbled into his own net by keeper David Stockdale.

Mackail-Smith sent a free header straight at Tomasz Kuszczak in the second minute, but Wolves could have taken the lead twice on nine minutes when Benik Afobe was foiled by Stockdale then Bakary Sako’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Gordon Greer.  Stockdale denied Wolves at the death when he saved a Sako drive at full length.  Wolves boss Kenny Jackett named an unchanged line-up from the side that drew 2-23 against Watford last week. Lee Evans was recalled to the bench in place of Michael Jacobs, who has joined Blackpool on loan for the rest of the season.  But there was no place in the squad again for Dominic Iorfa.  Brighton made six changes to the team beaten 2-1 at Reading on Tuesday night.  One of those was the axeing of former Wolves utility man Greg Halford, who was replaced by Bruno Saltor.  Former Seagulls keeper Kuszczak was warmly applauded when his name was announced before kick-off.  Brighton dominated possession in the early stages but Wolves came back into the game in the final 15 minutes before half-time.  The Seagulls wasted a glorious chance in the second minute when Mackail-Smith headed straight at Kuszczak from Beram Kayal’s cross from six yards out.  The home side continued to boss the game territorially, but Wolves were presented with two chances to snatch the lead in the ninth minute.  Lewis Dunk slipped and then tugged Van La Parra’s shirt and Afobe was onto the ball in a flash.  But the striker’s shot was smothered by Stockdale, who raced off his line. The loose ball ran to Sako, whose low goalbound drive was hacked off the line by Greer.  Dunk was booked for his troubles when he could have been sent off.  A mix-up between Sako and Danny Batth presented Mackail-Smith with a second opportunity on 16.  But the long-haired former Peterborough striker could only roll the ball wide from a clear sight of goal.  Afobe found himself with a sniff of goal in the 27th minute and forced the first serious save of the game with an angled left-foot effort that had Stockdale scrambling to his left to scoop the ball away.  This signalled Wolves coming much more into the game and Kevin McDonald curled just wide from the edge of the box on 39.  A minute later and against the run of play, Kayal had a low effort blocked by Batth in a crowded box.  Greer became the second player to be booked in the 42nd minute when he held Afobe moments after advantage was allowed when he appeared to drag down James Henry.


Wolves had the first sight of goal of the second period in the 46th minute when Sako burst forward from the middle of the park but could only screw his shot well wide.   But this half was a much more open affair, with the play becoming stretched, a higher tempo and more urgency.  Van La Parra appeared to get away with a trip on Joe Bennett just inside the Wolves penalty area on 58.  

And they had another escape a minute later when Mackail-Smith had an effort ruled out for offside after Kuszczak parried Joao Teixeira’s angled drive.  This was a purple patch for Brighton and Teixeira had another good sight of goal on 63 after Bruno’s cut back but could only flash a rising drive well over.  Wolves brought on Nouha Dicko for Henry in the 64th minute in an attempt to stretch the game even more.  But it was Brighton who took the lead when Bruno let fly with an angled drive from just inside the box after Inigo Calderon’s shot hit Mackail-Smith and bounced out wide to the full-back.  It had actually been Wolves on the break with a quickly-taken free kick from Sako to Doherty but the ball ran on and was gobbled up by Kayal.  The lead lasted just four minutes however as Wolves equalised in bizarre circumstances.  Van La Parra burst down the right and for once produced an early cross which was palmed into the net at the near post by Stockdale.  It looked like an own goal but the Dutchman will no doubt be looking to claim his second goal for Wolves.  Wolves ended the game on a high as Dicko cut the ball back for Sako to unleash a blistering shot that was palmed wide.  Then Batth had two shots blocked from successive corners.  But in the end a draw was a fair result as Wolves still look to make big inroads to the play-off zone with nine games left.



LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBSTITUTIONS (4)

Brighton & Hove Albion

13 Stockdale 02 Bruno 03 Greer Booked 05 Dunk Booked 30 Bennett 06 Stephens 22 Holla (Lua Lua - 77' ) 14 Calderon 28 Kayal 17 J. Teixeira (Ledesma - 86' ) 12 Mackail-Smith (O'Grady - 75' )

Substitutes 04 Hughes 11 O'Grady 19 Best 25 Lua Lua 31 Walton 32 Ledesma 33 Halford

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 02 Doherty Booked 06 Batth 05 Stearman 30 Hause 11 McDonald 19 Price 17 van La Parra 07 Henry (Dicko - 64' ) 10 Sako 12 Afobe Substitutes 03 Golbourne 04 Edwards 13 McCarey 14

Evans 16 Doyle 23 Ebanks-Landell 40 Dicko

Ref: Trevor Kettle

Att: 27,019

MATCH STATS - 90mins

Brighton & Hove Albion  Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession       49%  51%

Shots                  22  13

On target             5  5

Corners               1  8

Fouls                  9  15

Live Text Commentary


90:00 +5:22 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Beram Kayal. 90:00 +4:35 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Gordon Greer. 90:00 +3:53 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by David Stockdale. 90:00 +1:45 Attempt missed. Dale Stephens (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation. 90:00 +0:42 Chris O'Grady (Brighton) wins a free kick on the left wing. 90:00 +0:42 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolves). 90:00 +0:03 Attempt missed. Emmanuel Ledesma (Brighton) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Íñigo Calderón. 89:15 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from long range on the left misses to the right from a direct free kick. 88:28 Foul by Bruno (Brighton). 88:28 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 87:18 Attempt blocked. Beram Kayal (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Dale Stephens. 86:55 Matt Doherty (Wolves) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 86:42 Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 86:42 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolves). 85:32 Sub, Brighton and Hove Albion. Emmanuel Ledesma replaces João Teixeira. 84:53 Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 84:53 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves). 83:41 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 83:00 Delay in match Dale Stephens (Brighton) because of an injury. 82:00 Dale Stephens (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 82:00 Foul by Nouha Dicko (Wolves). 81:31 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 81:06 Delay in match Beram Kayal (Brighton) because of an injury. 80:47 Attempt saved. Beram

Kayal (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kazenga Lua Lua. 80:15 Attempt blocked. Dale Stephens (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Teixeira. 79:41 Dale Stephens (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 79:41 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolves). 78:54 Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton). 78:54 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 78:18 Attempt missed. Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Dale Stephens. 76:59 Sub, Brighton and Hove Albion. Kazenga Lua Lua replaces Danny Holla. 76:38 Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton). 76:38 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 75:37 Foul by Chris O'Grady (Brighton). 75:37 Danny Batth (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 75:05 Dale Stephens (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 75:05 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolves). 74:28 Sub, Brighton and Hove Albion. Chris O'Grady replaces Craig Mackail-Smith. 73:45 Goal scored

Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Richard Stearman. 69:50 Goal scored Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Bruno (Brighton) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. 69:48 Attempt blocked. Íñigo Calderón (Brighton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by João Teixeira. 69:28 Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69:28 Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolves). 69:10 Foul by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton). 69:10 Matt Doherty (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 68:26 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Danny Holla. 63:28 Lewis Dunk (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 63:28 Foul by Nouha Dicko (Wolves). 63:07 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Nouha Dicko replaces James Henry. 62:23 Attempt missed. João Teixeira (Brighton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Bruno. 60:56 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 59:39 Delay in match Danny Batth (Wolves) because of an injury. 58:46 Attempt blocked. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Teixeira. 58:05 Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. João Teixeira tries a through ball, but Craig Mackail-Smith is caught offside. 58:04 Attempt saved. João Teixeira (Brighton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bruno. 55:31 Attempt missed. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide

to the right. Assisted by João Teixeira. 54:51 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bakary Sako tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 54:13 Attempt missed. Beram Kayal (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Craig Mackail-Smith. 52:41 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Gordon Greer. 51:29 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Gordon Greer. 49:19 Attempt blocked. Beram Kayal (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Teixeira. 45:57 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Benik Afobe. 45:00 Second Half begins Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.

45:00 +1:17 Half time First Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. 45:00 +1:04 Attempt missed. Íñigo Calderón (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by João Teixeira. 44:11 Beram Kayal (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 44:11 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolves). 42:57 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner. 42:11 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Joe Bennett. 41:35 Gordon Greer (Brighton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 41:14 Foul by Gordon Greer (Brighton). 41:14 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 39:19 Attempt blocked. João Teixeira (Brighton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dale Stephens. 38:51 Attempt blocked. James Henry (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Benik Afobe with a headed pass. 38:19 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jack Price. 35:59 Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. David Stockdale tries a through ball, but Craig Mackail-Smith is caught offside. 35:19 Attempt saved. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by João Teixeira with a through ball. 34:16 Attempt blocked. Matt Doherty (Wolves) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 31:57 Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by James Henry. 30:11 Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton). 30:11 Matt Doherty (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 26:43 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by David Stockdale. 26:42 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kortney Hause. 23:13 Attempt missed. Dale Stephens (Brighton) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right following a set piece situation. 23:11 Attempt missed. Gordon Greer (Brighton) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Danny Holla following a set piece situation. 22:52 Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 22:52 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolves). 20:45 Bruno (Brighton) wins a free kick on the right wing. 20:45 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolves). 18:56 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 18:26 Delay in match Íñigo Calderón (Brighton) because of an injury. 17:51 João Teixeira (Brighton) wins a free kick on the left wing. 17:51 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolves). 15:40 Attempt missed. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. 14:11 Beram Kayal (Brighton) wins a free kick on the left wing. 14:11 Foul by Jack Price (Wolves). 13:27 Foul by Danny Holla (Brighton). 13:27 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 11:28 Corner, Brighton and Hove

Albion. Conceded by Richard Stearman. 10:09 Joe Bennett (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 10:09 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves). 9:30 Lewis Dunk (Brighton) is shown the yellow card for hand ball. 9:10 Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton). 9:10 Matt Doherty (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 8:37 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 8:33 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 6:03 Attempt missed. João Teixeira (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Beram Kayal. 5:51 Attempt blocked. James Henry (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 4:09 Íñigo Calderón (Brighton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 4:09 Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolves). 1:52 Attempt saved. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Beram Kayal with a cross. 0:00 First Half begins.


Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Dale Stephens and striker Craig Mackail-Smith could feature after injuries. Sam Baldock, Andrew Crofts (both knee), Kemy Agustien (thigh) and Solly March

(calf) remain sidelined.

Wolves forward Bakary Sako was sent off for violent conduct in the 2-2 draw against Watford, but video evidence cleared him of any wrongdoing. Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and midfielder Tommy

Rowe (both metatarsals) remain out of contention.

MATCH FACTS


Head-to-Head

The earlier meeting this season ended as a 1-1 draw at Molineux in December.  Brighton are unbeaten in the last three meetings, though they have won only one. Wolves' last win was 1-0 at

Molineux in April 2006.  Wolves have won only one of the last 11 meetings at Brighton. Their sole victory there since 1979 was 1-0 in September 2004.

Brighton

Brighton have lost two of their last three games, winning the other. Their only win since 24 February was 2-0 against Derby at home on 3 March.  Brighton have won their last three home games,

against Birmingham, Leeds and Derby.

Wolves

Wolves have lost only one of their last five games. Their only defeat since mid-February was 2-1 at Bournemouth on 3 March. Wolves have lost two of their last three away games, winning the

other. Their only win on the road since 10 February was 1-0 at Cardiff on 28 February.


Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Afobe 14′ Price 51′ Watford 2 Vydra 30′ Deeney 65′

FT 90 +7 HT 1-1

Cheating For estieri got Sako sent off - pushes Bakary, falls over pretending to be hit, then stays down. Disgusting.and disgraceful



Wolves 2 Watford 2 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/07/wolves-2-watford-2-report-and-pictures/

Determined Wolves produced one of their most stirring performances for some time in an entertaining 2-2 draw against Watford.  In an end-to-end affair that had the feel of a cup tie, Benik Afobe (14) and Jack Price (50) - for his first senior goal - twice deservedly put Wolves ahead.  That was only to be pegged back by ex-Albion loan forward Matej Vydra (14) and former Walsall striker Troy Deeney (65).  But Wolves were more than good enough value for a point and there were plenty of chances at both ends before the injury-time drama.  That saw Watford left-back Tommie Hoban was sent off for a second bookable offence then Bakary Sako saw red for pushing Fernando Forestieri.  Wolves boss Kenny Jackett made two changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday night.  Price and James Henry were recalled in midfield for Dave Edwards and Nouha Dicko, who both dropped to what was an attacking bench.  There was Kevin Doyle and Michael Jacobs, but no room for Dominic Iorfa or Lee Evans.  Henry was playing in the ‘number 10’ role with Rajiv Van La Parra to his right and Bakary Sako to his left.  Afobe, who made his 100th League appearance in midweek, the lone front man as Jackett ditched the 4-4-2 formation used over the previous six games.  Former Watford goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and on-loan Watford midfielder Adlene Guedioura were facing their old clubs.  But there was no place in the squad for 17-goal top scorer Odion Ighalo, who suffered a hamstring injury in training and didn’t travel.  Wolves started brightly in the spring Molineux sunshine and there was a lively tempo from the home side that they managed to retain all the way through the first half.  There was an early enforced change for the visitors after midfielder Almen Abdi signalled to the bench that he was struggling and he was replaced in the 12th minute by Gianni Munari.   After dominating the play without creating serious chances, the hosts took a deserved lead in simple circumstances.   Afobe made it look all too easy as he latched onto Richard Stearman’s deep free kick, controlled it and look up,  He then dispatched a fierce low shot across keeper Heurelho Gomes for his seventh goal in 11 games for his new club and 26th of the season.  The goal was just what Wolves needed and they maintained their momentum and quickly hunted down the chance to double their lead.  Three minutes after takin the lead, Henry produced a low rasping shot that Gomes was equal to, crouching at his near post.   But after a further period of attacking from Wolves, Watford levelled against the run of play.  There was a suspicion of offside as former Walsall striker Troy Deeney split the defence with a deep pass.  Vydra was onto it in a flash, holding off a challenge before driving home from just outside the box for his 11th goal of the season.  The equaliser didn’t seem to affect Wolves too much and they returned to the attack. Van La Parra was seeing a lot of the ball on the right and seven minutes before the break.  He produced a superb cross that just needed the final touch, but Henry got there too quickly and couldn’t connect properly.  A minute later, Henry was heavily involved again as Wolves went close to taking the lead for a second time.  The former Millwall winger dispossessed Gabrielle Angella and raced goalwards, crossing for Afobe, whose climbing far-post header was tipped over by Gomes.  But Watford showed why they are the highest scorers in all four divisions by looking dangerous on the break.  And that was the case moments before half-time when Vydra got away from Batth from Ben Watson’s pass after the latter was found in space by Craig Cathcart.  But Vydra’s angled shot was thumped straight into the chest of Kuszczak.  If the first half had been memorable - and the crowd seemed to think so with warm applause from all four sides to greet the whistle - then the second was even better.  Wolves managed to retain their fast tempo from the first half and were rewarded with a string of attacks as they looked for that second goal. And it came with their first attempt following the restart.  Price got a heavy touch with what looked like his chest to divert Kortney Hause’s long-range drive into the corner of the net after a corner was cleared.  Then Wolves twice went close to a third goal in two minutes as first Van La Parra with a fierce, angled drive then Henry with a looping header were inches wide.  But Watford weren’t finished by any stretch and Watson crashed a first-time curling shot off the underside of the bar on 56 after a loose ball squirted across the box.  Five minutes later Wolves went desperately close to a third goal as Craig Cathcart slid in to divert Afobe’s cross inches behind with Gomes committed the wrong way.  But Wolves were left to rue their near missed as Watford equalised for a second time - and again it was against the run of play.  A long ball over the top found its way to Deeney, who held off Batth to poke the ball past Kuszczak. Watford hit Wolves again on the break as Munari was presented with an opening on 78 but sent a diving header well wide from Deeney’s cross.  Eight minutes later, Afobe’s deflected shot on the turn from deep in the box was held by Gomes after a pass from Danny Batth.  And on the stroke of the end of normal time, Forestieri sliced high and wide after Vydra found him in space following a poor clearance from Batth.  But the drama wasn’t finished and both teams had a player sent off in the five minutes of time added on.  First Hoban saw red for a second bookable offence for clattering Van La Parra again.  Then Sako reacted to a foul by Forestieri with a push in the chest and the Watford sub lay poleaxed, clutching his face. Wolves players immediately surrounded Forestieri to make their feelings known.  And the home side will hope they can successfully appeal Sako’s dismissal after what looked like a clear case of play-acting from Forestieri, instead of losing their 11-goal top scorer to a three-match ban.  In the end Wolves had to settle for a point, but they were tremendous value for it and they remain in the hunt for a play-off place.


Golden shirt, golden boot? Former Arsenal man Afobe is the leading scorer in the top four divisions with 26 from 41 appearances for MK Dons and Wolves this season.

Wolves and Watford both had a player sent off in injury time in an exciting draw at Molineux.  Tommie Hoban was shown a second yellow for Watford before Bakary Sako was given a straight red after raising his hand to Fernando Forestieri.  Benik Afobe gave Wolves the lead early on before Matej Vydra levelled.  Jack Price restored the home team's advantage just after the break, but Troy

Deeney equalised after showing good strength before the late drama.  The late red cards were out of keeping with a keenly fought match that had seen just two s in the first 90 minutes. Hoban could have few complaints about his sending off for a second bookable offence, but Wolves may feel aggrieved by the red shown to winger Sako after Forestieri reacted theatrically to a push from the Mali international.

The hosts were looking to bounce back after losing at Bournemouth on Tuesday and got their rewards for a bright start. Kevin McDonald had twice tried to play Afobe through on goal before getting the weight of his pass spot at the third time attempt to leave the 22-year-old January signing to slot home.  High-flying Watford went into the match on the back of three successive wins, but struggled to assert themselves in the opening exchanges before equalising against the run of play.  Vydra, who spent last season on loan at Wolves' local rivals West Brom, finished well after being played through by Deeney in the 30th minute.  Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes saved well from Afobe before the break, but may feel he should have done better with the effort that gave Wolves the lead for the second time.  Kortney Hause's shot took a heavy deflection off midfielder Price and the ball squirmed through Gomes's hands.  The Hornets, who would have gone top with a win, knew they could ill-afford to slip up and Ben Watson went close to a rapid equaliser when he rattled the bar from 12 yards out.  The visitors did have their leveller, however, when captain Deeney shrugged off two Wolves defenders before finishing for his 16th goal of the season.  Both teams pushed on in search of a winner without really threatening before Hoban and

Sako were sent off in the dramatic finale.

LINEUP, S (5) & Subs (4)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 02 Doherty 06 Batth 05 Stearman 30 Hause 11 McDonald  19 Price Booked 17 van La Parra 07 Henry (Doyle - 79' ) 10 Sako Dismissed 12 Afobe Substitutes 03 Golbourne 04 Edwards 13 McCarey 16 Doyle 23 Ebanks-Landell 27 Jacobs 40 Dicko

Watford

01 Gomes 14 Paredes (Motta - 88' ) 15 Cathcart 04 Angella 31 Hoban Dismissed after an earlier booking 05 Guédioura 23 Watson (Forestieri - 62' Booked )08 Tozser 22 Abdi (Munari - 13' ) 09 Deeney 20 Vydra Substitutes 03 Munari 07 Layun 11 Forestieri 18 Pudil

21 Anya 30 Bond 47 Motta

Ref: Brendan Malone

Att: 23,146

MATCH STATS

90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers   Watford

Possession           51%   49%

Shots                     16    11

On target  6 4

Corners  5 1

Fouls  8 13


MATCH STATS 45mins 1-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers Watford

Possession              52% 48%

52%Shots                6       3

On target                 3       3

Corners                   2       1

Fouls                       5       6


Wolves expect to name an unchanged squad despite losing 2-1 to Bournemouth on Tuesday. Keeper Carl Ikeme and winger Tommy Rowe are out with a broken metatarsal.

Captain Sam Ricketts has struggled to break into the squad and is helping boss Kenny Jackett with coaching.

Watford defender Joel Ekstrand and top-scorer Odion Ighalo (both hamstring) will undergo tests.

Hornets midfielder Sean Murray is out with a knee injury.

MATCH FACTS


Head-to-Head

Wolves won the earlier meeting this season 1-0 at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day.  Watford have won only one of the last five meetings. Their only win since 2008 was 2-1 at Vicarage Road in

November 2012.  Watford have won only one of the last 16 meetings at Molineux. Their only win there since 1983 was 2-1 in the Championship in August 2007.

Wolves

Wolves' 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Tuesday ended a three-game winning run. Wolves have lost only one of their last seven home games in the Championship. Their only league defeat at

Molineux since early December was 2-1 against Reading on 7 February.

Watford

Watford have won six of their last seven games, losing the other. Their only defeat since January was 3-0 against Norwich at home on 21 February.  Watford have won their last three away games.

Their last defeat on the road was 2-0 at Bournemouth on 30 January.




Bournemouth  2 Kermorgant 10', 49'  Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Afobe 39'


FT 90 +6 HT 1-1


SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: Goldsands Stadium Date: Tuesday, 3 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT on the BBC Sport website

Bournemouth 2 Wolves 1 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/03/bournemouth-2-wolves-1-report-and-pictures/

Wolves were blown apart by the seaside as promotion rivals Bournemouth took the wind out of their promotion sails tonight.  A double from burly striker Yann Kermogant which sandwiched a fine reply from Benik Afobe six minutes before the break was enough to end Wolves’ hopes of a fourth straight win.  And they could have few complaints. Apart from the 15 minutes before half-time, Wolves were largely second best to a slicker Bournemouth outfit, Afobe’s equaliser their only serious attempt on goal throughout.  Boss Kenny Jackett made two changes to the side that beat Cardiff 1-0 on Saturday as Matt Doherty and Nouha Dicko were recalled in place of Dominic Iorfa and Jack Price, which saw Rajiv Van La Parra switch from up front to wide right.  

Doherty got his reward to return at right back after a solid half an hour at Cardiff when he replaced Iorfa, who looked like being sent off, while Kevin Doyle was back on the bench following the birth of his daughter Adrianna on Saturday night. Wolves were making their first trip to Bournemouth since September 1998 and were chasing a slice of history - their first ever away league win there, albeit from only their third trip. And it was soon looking like one they weren’t going to achieve after falling behind in the 10th minute after the hosts settled much better. Yann Kermorgant punished poor marking from Danny Batth and Dave Edwards, who seemed to leave him to each other as he hooked home Callum Wilson’s low cross from the corner of the six-yard box after Richard Stearman had gone to close down the £3m former Wolves target in the corner.  It was the first goal conceded by Wolves in 303 minutes since Lewis Grabban struck Norwich’s second in the 2-0 defeat on February 14.  And with target man Kermorgant and Wolves old boy Andrew Surman pulling the strings and a nervousness in possession from the men in white, it looked like it was going to be a long night as the visitors couldn’t get going.  The Cherries looked much the more comfortable side on the ball on a perfect surface, and Wolves were continually let down by their passing, giving it away carelessly far too often as they struggled to build anything going forwards.  Bakary Sako was forced to come infield to receive the ball, but when he did get on it, he was crowded out by the Cherries’ compact midfield as the hosts dominated the middle of the park.  With their own carelessness forcing them to defend for long periods, Wolves didn’t break with any purpose until the 28th minute.  But when they did, Steve Cook cleared as Benik Afobe tried to connect with Dicko’s left-wing cross after Van La Parra surged forward through the middle.  Instead, Bournemouth returned to the attack and Harry Arter’s shot was blocked by Kevin McDonald for a fruitless corner.  There was a rare break by Wolves in the 34th minute when Afobe showed a clean pair of heels to Tommy Elphick and crossed but Cook produced a diving header to nod it away from Dicko.  But five minutes later, Wolves levelled against the run of play with a well crafted goal.  McDonald produced a peach of a pass to split the defence to spot the run of Afobe through the middle and the former Arsenal youngster took a touch before calmly drawing keeper Artur Boruc and sidefooting home with his left foot.  The goal - Afobe’s sixth in 10 games for the club and 25th of the season - brought Wolves belatedly into the game and the 22-year-old produced some dazzling footwork to work another opening a minute before the break only to see his low shot smothered by Artur Boruc.  There was still time for McDonald to run 40 yards unchallenged before bending his shot inches wide as Wolves ended the first half on a high.

But if they didn’t want the half-time whistle to come, they couldn’t have made a worse start to the second period.  Stearman slid in rashly on Wilson as he shot and referee James Linington awarded a penalty, the only doubt being if it was inside the area.  The Wolves defender was promptly booked and Kermorgant stepped up to sidefoot home his second of the night, the power of his shot just beating Tonmasz Kuszczak, who guessed the right way. But much like the equaliser brought a big improvement in Wolves, so another Bournemouth goal took them away from the visitors.  Kuszczak punched away Arter’s viciously inswinging corner from under his own bar then Wilson blazed over after getting a yard on Stearman as the hosts looked to stretch their lead. Bournemouth continued to look the more likely scorers and Marc Pugh’s drive was blocked off the line by Stearman with Kuszczak beaten in the 68th minute.  Wolves struggled to get Dicko into the game all match, and it was little surprise when he made way for Doyle in the 75th minute.  The goalmouth action was more likely at the other end however and Wilson, driven wide by Batth, drove a few feet wide from a reducing angle on 81.  In a desperate bid to drag Wolves back into the game, Sako tried the spectacular seven minutes from time but his 35-yard free kick floated into the top few rows of the stand.  And despite several aerial raids at the death, Wolves never really looked like hitting back.  They will look to be much better when they play another team above them, Watford, on Saturday.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (6) & SUBS (4)

AFC Bournemouth

31 Boruc, 02 Francis Booked, 05 Elphick, 03 Cook Booked, 11 Daniels, 30 Ritchie (Smith - 83' ), 06 Surman, 08 Arter, 07 Pugh Booked (Ward - 91' ), 18 Kermorgant (Pitman - 91' Booked ), 13 Wilson, Substitutes 01 Camp, 09 Rantie,10 Pitman,15 Smith,16 MacDonald

20 Fraser, 22 Ward

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak, 02 Doherty Booked, 06 Batth, 05 Stearman Booked, 30 Hause, 17 van La Parra, 04 Edwards, 11 McDonald, 10 Sako,

12 Afobe, 40 Dicko (Doyle - 75' ), Substitutes 03 Golbourne, 07 Henry, 13 McCarey, 16 Doyle, 19 Price, 23 Ebanks-Landell, 33 Iorfa

Ref: James Linington Att: 9,851

MATCH STATS

90mins

AFC Bournemouth Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession 53% 47%

Shots 12 4

On target 4 2

Corners 7 1

Fouls 10 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:18 Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick on the right wing. 90:00 +4:18 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 90:00 +3:21 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bakary Sako tries a through ball, but Kevin Doyle is caught offside. 90:00 +2:51 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card. 90:00 +2:40 Brett Pitman (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card. 90:00 +1:46 Tommy Elphick (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90:00 +1:46 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 90:00 +0:55 Sub,  Bournemouth. Elliott Ward replaces Marc Pugh. 90:00 +0:15 Sub,  Bournemouth. Brett Pitman replaces Yann Kermorgant. 89:13 Foul by Adam Smith (Bournemouth). 89:13 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 88:22 Foul by Simon Francis (Bournemouth). 88:22 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 87:33 Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth). 87:33 Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86:20 Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86:20 Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 85:53 Marc Pugh (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card. 84:19 Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick on the right wing. 84:19 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers).  82:51  Sub,  Bournemouth. Adam Smith replaces Matt Ritchie. 82:17 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick. 81:40 Foul by Andrew Surman (Bournemouth). 81:40 Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 80:20 Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Yann Kermorgant with a through ball. 79:19 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Richard Stearman. 78:34 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 77:27 Delay in match Harry Arter (Bournemouth) because of an injury. 74:41 Sub,  Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin Doyle replaces Nouha Dicko. 72:41 Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth). 72:41 Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 70:09 Simon Francis (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 69:59 Foul by Simon Francis (Bournemouth). 69:59 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69:26 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Bakary Sako. 67:02 Attempt blocked. Marc Pugh (Bournemouth) left footed shot from the left side of

the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Wilson. 64:58 Tommy Elphick (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 64:58 Foul by Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 63:19 Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marc Pugh. 56:26 Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth). 56:26 Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 55:56 Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Yann Kermorgant. 54:08 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 51:53 Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth). 51:53 Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 48:19 Goal scored Bournemouth 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Yann Kermorgant (Bournemouth) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner. 47:43 Richard Stearman (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 47:00 Penalty Bournemouth. Callum Wilson draws a foul in the penalty area. 47:00 Penalty conceded by Richard Stearman (Wolverhampton Wanderers) after a foul in the penalty area. 45:00 Second Half begins Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

45mins

AFC Bournemouth Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession  58% 42%

Shots            7     3

On target      2     2

Corners        4     1

Fouls            2     3

45:00 +1:36 Half time

First Half ends, Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. 45:00 +1:10 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Yann Kermorgant. 45:00 +0:16 Steve Cook (Bournemouth) is shown the

yellow card for a bad foul. 45:00 +0:07 Foul by Steve Cook (Bournemouth). 45:00 +0:07 Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 44:33 Attempt missed. Kevin

McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 43:24 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right

footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 42:07 Attempt saved. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is

saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Matt Ritchie. 39:38 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 39:37 Attempt blocked. Yann Kermorgant (Bournemouth) right footed shot from

the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Ritchie. 38:15 Goal scored

Goal! Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kevin McDonald.

34:46 Attempt missed. Yann Kermorgant (Bournemouth) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Marc Pugh following a set piece situation. 34:23 Marc Pugh (Bournemouth)

wins a free kick on the left wing. 34:23 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 32:58 Hand ball by Richard Stearman (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 31:00 Foul by Yann Kermorgant

(Bournemouth). 31:00 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 30:11 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Kevin McDonald. 30:09 Attempt blocked. Harry

Arter (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Charlie Daniels. 28:18 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kortney Hause tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe

is caught offside. 25:32 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Kevin McDonald. 24:38 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Dave Edwards. 24:36 Attempt blocked. Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) left

footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 21:58 Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 21:58 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 9:27 Goal scored

Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Yann Kermorgant (Bournemouth) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum Wilson

with a cross. 5:00 Attempt missed. Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Harry Arter. 0:00

First Half begins


TEAM NEWS


Bournemouth midfielder Matt Ritchie could return to the side and replace Marc Pugh, who sustained a knock to the knee against Blackburn.  However, Dan Gosling (ankle) is still weeks away from

recovery after suffering a setback in treatment.  Wolves will welcome back striker Kevin Doyle after he missed the 1-0 win at Cardiff for the birth of his daughter.  Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and

midfielder Tommy Rowe (both metatarsal) remain sidelined.

MATCH FACTS


Head-to-head

Bournemouth won the earlier meeting this season 2-1 at Molineux in December. The Cherries are unbeaten in the last four meetings in all competitions, winning the last two. Wolves' last win

was 3-1 at home in the old Division Two in December 1989.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth have not won any of their last five games, losing two. Their last win was 3-1 at Wigan on 7 February. The Cherries have lost only one of their last 13 home games in the

Championship. Their only league defeat at home since mid-September was 2-1 against Norwich on 10 January.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have won their last three games, scoring nine goals and conceding none.  The West Midlands side have lost only one of their last eight away games in all competitions. Their only defeat

on the road since November was 2-0 at Norwich in the Championship on 14 February.