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Thursday 31st January Leicester City 2 Wolves  1 (Sako) k.o. 7:45pm Live on Sky

The first Leicester goal should not have stood because of handball but Leicester were denied a nailed on penalty a few minutes later, and we were lucky to have Karl Henry last the match instead of being red-carded.

David Nugent's winner strengthened Leicester City's promotion hopes as Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered a fifth defeat in seven league games.   Anthony Knockaert put the hosts ahead after running unchallenged before hitting his eighth goal of the season.   Wolves looked set for a hard-earned point when Bakary Sako levelled with an excellent finish from 20 yards.  
Five alive for Leicester
This was Leicester City's fifth successive league win, a sequence they also achieved earlier this season. The last time they won six league games in a row was in 1992-93   But Leicester secured victory thanks to Nugent's finish from just outside the area after sloppy Wolves defending.  Nigel Pearson's side move three points clear of third-placed Hull City and seven points behind leaders Cardiff City having played one game more.  In contrast, Wolves are just five points above the relegation zone and without a win since Dean Saunders took charge earlier this month.  The worry for Saunders will be the way his side conceded so easily.   Knockaert opened the scoring in the 24th minute, the Frenchman rifling into the roof of the net after being allowed to run unchallenged into the area (having handled the long ball clearance from Schmeichel). Wolves levelled through the goal of the night from Sako as the 24-year-old unleashed an unstoppable 51st minute effort.  Nugent's winner came 17 minutes from time, the former Portsmouth striker again allowed to run unchallenged before hitting the target.  Wolves were denied an equaliser when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake hit the post in stoppage time.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson:

"I will be the first to admit we have played better. But credit to Wolves, who played with a lot of spirit and made life difficult for us with five in midfield.  So it was nice to win a tight game like this with two bits of quality. The irony is that we scored our goals on the counter-attack and in the second half we really had to grind it out.  It was a calculated risk to play Knockaert because he had had an ankle injury. But he worked very hard for the side in both directions. I was very pleased with his contribution."

Wolves manager Dean Saunders:

"I thought we played well but missed our chances. We had at least 10 clear cut chances and then got done twice on the counter attack.  For the first goal we backed off and let the lad get into the six-yard box. It was not the best defending but when you lose as many games as we have done you lose belief. I think we became over confident and we should have stopped Nugent right where he picked up the ball on the half way line."



Leicester City
01 Schmeichel
02 De Laet
03 Konchesky
05 Morgan
15 M Keane
04 Drinkwater
07 Marshall (Dyer - 69' )
10 King
24 Knockaert (Vardy - 76' )
35 Nugent (Waghorn - 90' )
39 Wood
Substitutes
13 Logan
11 Dyer
17 Gallagher
19 Wellens
09 Vardy
14 Waghorn
29 Futacs
Wolverhampton Wanderers
13 Ikeme
11 Ward
16 Berra
25 Batth
32 Foley Booked
08 Henry (Edwards - 81' )
10 Sako
24 O'Hara
28 Doumbia (Davis - 82' )
09 Ebanks-Blake
15 Sigurdarson (Peszko - 77' )
Substitutes
31 De Vries
34 Margreitter
04 Edwards
07 Peszko
26 Davis
29 Doyle
35 Cassidy
Ref: Robert Madley
Att: 21,677
Match Stats
 
Possession Leicester City 50% Wolverhampton Wanderers 50%
Shots12 10
On target 5  5
Corners 4  9
Fouls  4  8

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:39 Full time Full Time
The match has reached full-time.
90:00 +0:42 Substitution Substitution
Martyn Waghorn on for David Nugent.
90:00 +0:42 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area and strikes the post.
89:54 Effort on goal by Bakary Sako from 25 yards. Save by Kasper Schmeichel. Corner taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara, Andy King manages to make a clearance.
88:25 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako.
72:29 Goal scored Goal - David Nugent - Leicester 2 - 1 Wolves
David Nugent grabs a goal from the edge of the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Leicester 2-1 Wolverhampton.
72:17 Centre by Jamie O'Hara, clearance made by Wes Morgan.
83:32 Corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako from the right by-line, clearance by Danny Drinkwater.
81:44 Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.
81:44 Substitution Substitution
David Davis comes on in place of Tongo Doumbia.
81:44 The assistant referee signals for offside against Bakary Sako.
80:22 Substitution Substitution
Karl Henry goes off and David Edwards comes on.
75:34 Direct free kick taken by Paul Konchesky.
75:34 Substitution Substitution
Slawomir Peszko comes on in place of Bjorn Sigurdarson.
75:34 Substitution Substitution
Jamie Vardy replaces Anthony Knockaert.
75:34 Booking Booking
The referee cautions Kevin Foley for unsporting behaviour.
75:31 Foul by Kevin Foley on Michael Keane, free kick awarded.
72:29 Danny Drinkwater provided the assist for the goal.
72:29 Goal scored Goal - David Nugent - Leicester 2 - 1 Wolves
Goal scored by David Nugent from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Leicester 2-1 Wolverhampton.
72:17 Jamie O'Hara crosses the ball, Wes Morgan manages to make a clearance.
.68:34 Kasper Schmeichel takes the direct free kick.
68:34 Substitution Substitution
Lloyd Dyer comes on in place of Ben Marshall.
68:34 Free kick awarded for a foul by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on Wes Morgan.
64:32 Bakary Sako takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Keane. Bakary Sako takes a short corner.
63:31 Bakary Sako takes a short corner. The ball is delivered by Karl Henry, Paul Konchesky manages to make a clearance.
61:23 Corner from the right by-line taken by Bakary Sako, Christophe Berra concedes a free kick for a foul on Wes Morgan. Kasper Schmeichel restarts play with the free kick.
57:38 Shot on goal by Bakary Sako from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
55:17 The ball is delivered by Ritchie De Laet, Carl Ikeme makes a comfortable save.
53:21 The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Kasper Schmeichel.
52:21 Ritchie De Laet sends in a cross, Effort from deep inside the area by Chris Wood misses to the left of the goal.
50:55 Assist on the goal came from Tongo Doumbia.
50:55 Goal scored Goal - Bakary Sako - Leicester 1 - 1 Wolves
Bakary Sako finds the net with a fantastic goal from outside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Leicester 1-1 Wolverhampton.
48:43 Stephen Ward fouled by Chris Wood, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen Ward takes the free kick.
47:30 The ball is sent over by Anthony Knockaert, save made by Carl Ikeme.
46:04 Ben Marshall delivers the ball. Anthony Knockaert takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Bjorn Sigurdarson.
45:01 The referee gets the second half underway.

Half Time
Possession
Leicester City 53%  Wolverhampton Wanderers 47%
Shots10 5
On target 4 2
Corners 4 3
Fouls 45



45:00 +1:07 Half time Half Time
The ref blows to end the first period.
45:00 +0:03 Shot from deep inside the area by Ben Marshall clears the crossbar.
44:01 Tongo Doumbia concedes a free kick for a foul on Andy King. Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.
42:35 The ball is crossed by Danny Drinkwater, Effort from inside the area by David Nugent misses to the left of the goal.
42:02 Bakary Sako delivers the ball, Andy King manages to make a clearance.
40:13 Foul by David Nugent on Stephen Ward, free kick awarded. Christophe Berra takes the free kick.
38:45 Ben Marshall produces a cross, save by Carl Ikeme.
34:19 Ben Marshall challenges Karl Henry unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie O'Hara takes the direct free kick. Effort on goal by Karl Henry from long range goes over the bar.
32:23 Bakary Sako takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Keane.
29:22 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Keane. Kasper Schmeichel takes the direct free kick.
27:18 Bakary Sako takes the inswinging corner, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Danny Batth misses to the right of the target.
25:32 Free kick awarded for a foul by Karl Henry on Andy King. Ben Marshall crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel. The assistant referee signals for offside against Wes Morgan. Carl Ikeme restarts play with the free kick.
24:36 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake takes a shot. Comfortable save by Kasper Schmeichel.
.23:10 Assist on the goal came from Kasper Schmeichel.
23:10 Goal scored Goal - Anthony Knockaert - Leicester 1 - 0 Wolves
A goal is scored by Anthony Knockaert from inside the six-yard box to the top left corner of the goal. Leicester 1-0 Wolverhampton.
22:59 A cross is delivered by Stephen Ward, clearance made by Wes Morgan.
20:23 Ben Marshall takes a shot. Carl Ikeme makes a save.
20:04 Foul by Karl Henry on Andy King, free kick awarded. Andy King takes the free kick.
19:08 David Nugent produces a drilled right-footed shot from 25 yards. Save by Carl Ikeme.
18:12 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Anthony Knockaert, save by Carl Ikeme.
16:49 Effort on goal by Chris Wood from long range goes over the crossbar.
14:13 Corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako from the left by-line to the near post, Andy King manages to make a clearance. Karl Henry crosses the ball, save by Kasper Schmeichel. Effort from the edge of the box by Bakary Sako goes wide of the right-hand upright.
13:31 Paul Konchesky crosses the ball.
11:56 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Drinkwater. Direct free kick taken by Michael Keane.
9:39 Ben Marshall takes a corner.
8:35 Anthony Knockaert has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide right of the target.
7:44 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Anthony Knockaert from the right by-line, clearance by Stephen Ward.
6:58 Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Konchesky on Bjorn Sigurdarson. Bakary Sako crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save made by Kasper Schmeichel.
5:13 Effort on goal by Anthony Knockaert from long range goes harmlessly over the bar.
3:58 Outswinging corner taken by Bakary Sako from the left by-line, Paul Konchesky manages to make a clearance.
3:13 David Nugent has shot on goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
2:13 Anthony Knockaert takes a shot. Blocked by Christophe Berra.
0:00 The referee starts the match.
..
Live text and data provided by The Press Association



TEAM NEWS
Leicester will give a late check to winger Anthony Knockaert who missed the FA Cup match against Huddersfield with an injury to his ankle.
Striker Chris Wood started that game on the bench due to a knee complaint but should return to the starting line-up.
Wolves are without centre-back Roger Johnson who starts a three-game ban.
Defender Stephen Ward is fit after pulling a muscle in his neck but winger Razak Boukari and centre-half Steven Mouyokolo remain sidelined.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Wolves withstood relentless late Leicester pressure to win the reverse fixture 2-1 in September.
• But the Molineux club have not done the double over their Midland rivals since 1958.
• Leicester have only lost one of their last 20 home league games against Wolves; that defeat being a 4-1 end-of-season clash in May 2007.

Leicester City

• Leicester are bidding for a fifth successive league win, and are the only club defending a 100% Championship record in 2013.
• The Foxes have the best defence in the division (23 goals conceded in 28 games), and are the joint top home scorers (33 goals in 14 games).
• Nigel Pearson's side have dropped fewer points from winning positions than any other club in the Championship - just four.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Wolves are chasing a first win in eight in all competitions, and have picked up two points out of 18 since beating Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on 21 December. They are bottom of the Championship's "form" table.
• Leicester are the only top-half club Wolves have beaten this term.
• Wanderers have lost a divisional high four games from losing positions

Saturday 26th January  Wolves 1 (Ebanks-Blake 15)  Blackpool   2 (Ince 45, 78)

Johnson throws it away again - first puts Ince in then an elbow on Angel to miss three matches. So Deano loses his unbeaten record, and another half time

team talk doesn't work. Back down to 18th.  Let's hope Danny Batth takes advantage of his chance.

Saunders press conference: played well first half, great balls into box; great goal; disastrous mistake between Johnson and Carl Ikeme; apart from Ince's second goal Carl's had nothing else to do; we were on top 2nd half; Sylvan's had the break I expected to come, but didn't put it away - 2:1 and we'd have won it (to be disagreed with by Thommo on commentary)

The Express & Star said http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2013/01/26/wolves-1-blackpool-2-match-report/
Sorry Wolves made it seven games without a win as their Molineux misery continued with a 2-1 defeat to Blackpool.

Yet again it was an embarrassing second-half fade-out as they failed to hold onto a lead given to them by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the 16th minute and Tom Ince’s double on 45 and 78 minutes put the lid on another miserable afternoon for Wolves’ long-suffering fans, who have now seen their team win just one of the last 11 home games.  Roger Johnson, who was at least partly at fault for Ince’s equaliser, compounded an afternoon to forget when he was sent off in the second minute of time added on in an off-the-ball incident with Angel Martinez which saw the Blackpool midfielder pole-axed and he  now faces a three-match ban.  The South Bank chanted ‘where’s the money gone’ and ‘We want Moxey out’ after Blackpool’s second goal and at full-time as the scale of the job new boss Dean Saunders has in front of him was laid bare. Saunders is still searching for his first win after two draws and a defeat from his first three games in charge.   Wolves could now face a relegation battle, with wins for Bristol City, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday – all below them at the start of play – winning, to leave them 18th. 

Ebanks-Blake, who could move on to an un-named promotion-chasing Championship club in the next week, should have made it 2-1 in the 54th minute when he was left with only Matthew Gilks to beat but the keeper’s right leg denied him.  But from then on, Wolves faded alarmingly and Blackpool controlled the game as they eased to their first win at Molineux since September 1964.  Saunders initially made one change from the side that drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday last week with Jamie O’Hara recalled for David Davis, who dropped to the bench.  O’Hara was making his first league start since March after hernia problems.  Saunders was soon forced into another change as Stephen Ward pulled out with a neck injury before kick off after being named in the starting line-up.   He was replaced by Slawomir Peszko, making his first start since October, with Kevin Foley starting at left back on his 200th appearance for the club.   Blackpool kicked off at a sparsely-filled and flat Molineux and it took a while for anyone to warm things up.  Eventually O’Hara had a full-blooded volley from 25 yards blocked when Bakary Sako picked him out from a corner.  But Wolves were bossing possession and they deserved the opener when it came.   Ronald Zubar, who enjoyed an impressive first half before going off injured in the 69th minute, produced a peach of a cross and Ebanks-Blake was unmarked as he planted a downward header to Gilks’ right and into the far corner of the net.  Blackpool continued to be second best, Ince seeing a shot deflect off Christophe Berra and spin wide after beating Foley.  The Tangerines had penalty appeals waved aside on the half hour as Alex Baptiste fell over under challenge from Karl Henry.   Two minutes before the break, Wolves almost went 2-0 ahead when a defender nodded Sako’s free kick inches over the bar under pressure from Kevin Doyle. 

Then came the equaliser just before half-time to change the course of the game.
There seemed little danger as Johnson tried to cut out a cross, but as the ball spun back towards keeper Carl Ikeme, both players left the ball to each other and Ince nipped between them to poke the ball home from a tight angle.  After the restart, Ebanks-Blake had a glorious chance to put Wolves back in front from Peszko’s cross after awful Blackpool defending left him in the clear, but Gilks denied him.  And from then on, Wolves wilted alarmingly and Blackpool pushed forwards at regular intervals, although both teams struggled to create chances.   Doyle produced a poor header from Henry’s up and under cross straight at Gilks and then came the winner.   Ince took a short pass, cut inside and thundered home a low drive that swerved away from Ikeme, who got a hand to it but was beaten by the power, before O’Hara could get close enough to the winger. 
That triggered angry scenes in the stands, with fans chanting ‘where’s the money gone?’ and ‘we want Moxey out’.
The one bright spot was provided by Stephen Hunt making his first Championship appearance of the season after four months out with a hip problem, on for Zubar, who injured his left leg. But it’s going to take a lot more than that to boost Wolves, who now face a tough task to arrest their slide at high-flying Leicester in front of the TV cameras next Thursday night.


Lineup, Bookings (3) & Subs  (4) Wolverhampton Wanderers
13 Ikeme
14 Johnson Dismissed
16 Berra
23 Zubar (Hunt - 69' )
32 Foley
07 Peszko Booked (Davis - 86' )
08 Henry
10 Sako
24 O'Hara
09 Ebanks-Blake
29 Doyle (Sigurdarson - 86' )
Substitutes
31 De Vries
25 Batth
12 Hunt
26 Davis
28 Doumbia
15 Sigurdarson
35 Cassidy
Blackpool
01 Gilks
03 Crainey
15 Baptiste
17 Basham
20 Cathcart
42 Broadfoot Booked
07 M Phillips (Derbyshire - 62' )
08 Gomes
31 Angel
11 Ince
12 Taylor-Fletcher
Substitutes
21 Halstead
05 Eardley
18 Osbourne
19 Noguera
38 Derbyshire
40 Delfouneso
41 Eccleston
Ref: Mathieson
Att: 20,100 .
Match Stats
PossessionWolverhampton Wanderers 56% Blackpool 44%
Shots7 8
On target6  5
Corners11  4
Fouls 9 11
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:45 Full time Full Time
The referee signals the end of the game.
90:00 +1:49 Blocked by Craig Cathcart.
90:00 +1:49 Dismissal - Roger Johnson receives a red card for violent conduct.
90:00 +1:30 Matt Derbyshire takes a shot.
88:54 Corner taken by Bakary Sako from the right by-line, Matt Gilks makes a save.
85:35   Wolves  makes a sub, with Bjorn Sigurdarson coming on for Kevin Doyle.
85:35  David Davis is brought on as a substitute for Slawomir Peszko.
85:35 Matt Derbyshire is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Carl Ikeme.
82:48 Tiago Gomes is caught offside. Roger Johnson takes the free kick.
80:16 Corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako from the left by-line, clearance by Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
79:43 The official flags Tiago Gomes offside. Roger Johnson restarts play with the free kick.
77:44 Assist on the goal came from Alex Baptiste.
77:44 Goal scored Goal - Thomas Ince - Wolves 1 - 2 Blackpool
Thomas Ince finds the net with a goal from long range to the top left corner of the goal. Wolverhampton 1-2 Blackpool.
75:01 Tiago Gomes fouled by Bakary Sako, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen Crainey takes the free kick.
73:38 Thomas Ince gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Hunt. Direct free kick taken by Slawomir Peszko.
72:31 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake fouled by Chris Basham, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie O'Hara takes the direct free kick.
71:35 Angel Martinez produces a right-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the goal.
70:30 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tiago Gomes by Stephen Hunt. Kirk Broadfoot takes the direct free kick.
68:55  Ronald Zubar leaves the field to be replaced by Stephen Hunt.
68:38 Header by Roger Johnson from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.
67:57 Kirk Broadfoot receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
67:52 Kirk Broadfoot challenges Kevin Doyle unfairly and gives away a free kick. Slawomir Peszko takes the direct free kick.
66:52 Kirk Broadfoot fouled by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Alex Baptiste.
64:26 Christophe Berra gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Thomas Ince takes the direct free kick.
63:19 Matt Derbyshire gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jamie O'Hara. Roger Johnson restarts play with the free kick.
62:49 Unfair challenge on Chris Basham by Kevin Doyle results in a free kick. Kirk Broadfoot restarts play with the free kick.
61:11 Matt Derbyshire is brought on as a substitute for Matt Phillips.
59:12 Short corner worked by Stephen Crainey.
56:38 Inswinging corner taken by Thomas Ince from the right by-line, Kevin Foley manages to make a clearance.
56:08 Kevin Doyle takes a shot. Matt Gilks makes a save.
55:32 Corner from left by-line taken by Bakary Sako.
54:33 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is caught offside. Free kick taken by Matt Gilks.
53:38 Corner taken by Bakary Sako from the left by-line, Chris Basham makes a clearance.
52:48 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake takes a shot. Save by Matt Gilks.
52:00 Corner from the left by-line taken by Bakary Sako, Gary Taylor-Fletcher makes a clearance.
51:11 Foul by Tiago Gomes on Christophe Berra, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Christophe Berra.
49:22 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako, Angel Martinez makes a clearance.
47:23 Tiago Gomes challenges Karl Henry unfairly and gives away a free kick. Christophe Berra takes the direct free kick.
46:45 The assistant referee flags for offside against Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Indirect free kick taken by Matt Gilks.
45:01 The game restarts for the second half.
45:00 +2:00 Half time
It is the end of the first-half.
Half time
 PossessionWolverhampton Wanderers   55% Blackpool  45%
Shots  4  5
On target4  3
Corners5  2
Fouls4  5
45:00 +1:18 Roger Johnson concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Stephen Crainey takes the direct free kick.
44:25 Goal scored Goal - Thomas Ince - Wolves 1 - 1 Blackpool
Goal scored by Thomas Ince from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Wolverhampton 1-1 Blackpool.
43:06 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Bakary Sako, Roger Johnson challenges Matt Phillips unfairly and gives away a free kick. Matt Gilks

restarts play with the free kick.
42:58 Bakary Sako takes a shot. Craig Cathcart gets a block in.
42:17 Corner taken by Bakary Sako.
41:33 Free kick awarded for a foul by Tiago Gomes on Karl Henry. Free kick crossed left-footed by Bakary Sako from right wing, clearance by Craig Cathcart.
29:56 Gary Taylor-Fletcher is ruled offside. Karl Henry restarts play with the free kick.
24:26 Unfair challenge on Roger Johnson by Matt Phillips results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Christophe Berra.
23:23 Angel Martinez takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.
22:57 Corner from the left by-line taken by Angel Martinez, Roger Johnson makes a clearance.
22:46 Thomas Ince takes a shot. Christophe Berra gets a block in.
22:08 Kirk Broadfoot challenges Kevin Doyle unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie O'Hara restarts play with the free kick.
18:50 Craig Cathcart takes the direct free kick.
18:50 Slawomir Peszko is cautioned.
18:36 Slawomir Peszko gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tiago Gomes.
17:54 Unfair challenge on Karl Henry by Tiago Gomes results in a free kick. Bakary Sako takes the direct free kick.
14:55 Assist by Ronald Zubar.
14:55 Goal scored Goal - Sylvan Ebanks-Blake - Wolves 1 - 0 Blackpool
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake finds the net with a headed goal from close range. Wolverhampton 1-0 Blackpool.
11:38 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako, Jamie O'Hara produces a volleyed left-footed shot from 20 yards. Blocked by Craig Cathcart.
11:06 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako from the left by-line.
10:04 Effort from outside the penalty area by Thomas Ince goes wide left of the goal.
9:24 Foul by Ronald Zubar on Matt Phillips, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Angel Martinez.
8:40 Chris Basham takes a shot. Christophe Berra gets a block in.
7:32 Kevin Doyle takes a shot. Stephen Crainey gets a block in.
6:03 Bakary Sako fouled by Thomas Ince, the ref awards a free kick. Kevin Foley restarts play with the free kick.
5:01 Matt Phillips has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide left of the goal.
2:25 The offside flag is raised against Kevin Doyle. Direct free kick taken by Craig Cathcart.
0:57 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako from the left by-line, Matt Gilks makes a save.
0:00 The match has kicked off.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association

TEAM NEWS
Wolves boss Dean Saunders could welcome back Tongo Doumbia, Dave Edwards (both hamstring) and Stephen Hunt (hip) after the midfield trio returned to

training.  Striker Bjorn Sigurdarson is expected to be involved, but Steven Mouyokolo and Wayne Hennessey remain sidelined.

Blackpool will have full-backs Stephen Crainey and Neal Eardley, captain Alex Baptiste and veteran striker Kevin Phillips available after illness.  Matt Phillips

(toe) is fit but defender Ian Evatt (knee) is out for the season.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• A goal in each half from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake secured a 2-1 win in last month's reverse fixture, which handed Michael Appleton a first defeat in his short

spell as Blackpool manager and gave Wolves the chance of a third successive victory over the Seasiders.
• Blackpool have not picked up a point in seven visits to Molineux. The 2-1 victory in September 1964 is their only win in 16 league visits over 56 years.
• Even so, the black country club have not done the double over Blackpool since 1988-89, in the old Third Division.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Dean Saunders has overseen back-to-back draws as Wolves manager, but the club go into this match without victory in six in all competitions, since the 2

-1 triumph at Bloomfield Road on 21 December.
• Wolves have picked up one win in 10 league games at Molineux, have the shortest list of goalscorers in the division (nine players), and have netted fewer

goals in the closing 15 minutes than any other club in the division (just four).
• If he plays, Kevin Foley will be making his 200th Wolverhampton appearance.

Blackpool

• Managerless Blackpool have lost their last three in all competitions, are without victory in six league games, and are bottom of the Championship's "form"

table, with two points out of 18.
• Although 15th in the table, the Seasiders are only six points down on this stage in 2009-10, when they were last promoted to the Premier League.
• They have scored more goals in the last quarter-hour of Championship matches than any other club (16).
• Goalkeeper Matt Gilks could make his 300th career league appearance
 

Saturday 19th January Sheffield Wednesday v Wolves k.o. 3pm

Once again Carl Ikeme was Wolves man-of-the-match.  The E&S felt we were lucky

Wolves somehow escaped with a point at dominant Sheffield Wednesday to make it two draws since Dean Saunders took charge.  But Dave Jones’s Owls will be wondering how they failed to win a game they pretty much controlled for all but the opening 20 minutes.  Keeper Carl Ikeme was a clear man of the match for the visitors after he foiled Michail Antonio with a superb block, a shot from Jermaine Johnson and he held a header from Reda Johnson on the line all before half-time, as well as a string of crosses and setpieces.  Jeremy Helan crashed a shot into the sidenetting as Wednesday continued to hold forte after the break.  Wolves, who have now gone six games without a win in all competitions, drew for the first time on their travels this season and achieved their first clean sheet in eight matches.  But there was little else to cheer for Wolves on a day when they had just one worthwhile shot – from Kevin Doyle, after 86 minutes, which flew just over.  Saunders seemed determined to be hard to beat and hang on for a draw as he reverted to a 4-5-1 formation for the second half as he switched Doyle to wide right, leaving Sylvan Ebanks-Blake isolated on his own.  Saunders made one change to the side that drew 1-1 against Blackburn in his first game in charge eight days ago.  Sylvan Ebanks-Blake replaced Jake Cassidy up front after the 19-year-old made his full Wolves debut against Rovers.  That meant that, as Saunders predicted on Thursday, Jamie O’Hara had to wait for his first start under the new manager.  And his influence was sorely missed during a first half when the visitors created not a single effort on goal and they came under the cosh for long periods.   Wolves had the first chance of the game in the 12th minute when a lofted header forwards by David Davis fell invitingly for Doyle in the penalty area.   But the Ireland international delayed his shot and was crowded out before he fell under challenge.  Pretty much the rest of the half belonged to the Owls, who looked better than their position of fourth bottom suggested.  Jermaine Johnson lobbed wide of an open goal after Ikeme had been forced to come out of his area to chest the ball clear on 22 minutes.  Two minutes later, Michail Antonio easily outmuscled Christophe Berra to leave himself with a clear opening on goal, but from the corner of the six-yard box, Ikeme made a superb block.  Wolves continued to struggle to get out of their own half or create anything themselves. And so Wednesday remained the dominant team, Jermaine Johnson testing Ikeme with a low shot that forced a falling save after the striker turned Davis.  Helan created the chance from which Wednesday went desperately close to scoring in the 34th minute.  The on-loan Manchester City winger’s cross was headed back into the danger area by Miguel Llera for Reda Johnson to see his header held by Ikeme on the line.  Wednesday had three more shooting chances before the break without Ikeme being called into action.  Antonio rolled an effort inches wide after a wayward clearance by Stephen Ward rebounded kindly off Jermaine Johnson for the former Reading man. Then Giles Coke blazed well over before Kieran Lee sidefooted fractionally off target as the Owls ended the half well on top. 

If Wolves fans thought the first half was hard going, the second half got worse as their team was pinned inside their own half for long periods. Indeed, it looked as if Saunders was playing for a point as he pushed Doyle out to wide right in a 4-5-1 formation.  Llera saw a 30-yard free kick bobble wide before Wolves brought on O’Hara on the hour to introduce some belated creativity, then Slawomir Peszko later on.  But the Owls remained in charge and Antonio missed another chance when he screwed his shot well over with Wolves players protesting in vain for a free kick as Berra lay sprawling on the turf. Antonio then turned provider as Wednesday burst forward from a Wolves corner.  The former Reading man ran 60 yards before finding Helan to his left for a shot that crashed into the sidenetting.  Then, with seven minutes to go, Antonio missed a sitter from a yard out after Roger Johnson failed to cut out Helan’s cross. 
Wolves finally produced a shot of their own when Doyle cut inside and fired inches over from 25 yards for the first real attempt on goal in the 86th minute.  Wolves managed to hang on for a point as Saunders remained unbeaten.  But the fans will be looking for more form the team than this when Blackpool come to Molineux next Saturday


LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & Substitutions (4)
Sheffield Wednesday
01 Kirkland
02 Buxton
03 R Johnson
04 Gardner
32 Llera
11 J Johnson Booked (Madine - 84' )
20 Lee
24 Helan
25 Prutton
28 Coke
07 Antonio
Substitutes
43 Bywater
05 Taylor
14 Mattock
06 Semedo
09 Madine
10 Maguire
22 Sidibe
Wolverhampton Wanderers
13 Ikeme
11 Ward
14 Johnson
16 Berra
23 Zubar
08 Henry
10 Sako (Peszko - 81' )
26 Davis Booked (O'Hara - 60' )
32 Foley
09 Ebanks-Blake Booked (Cassidy - 77' )
29 Doyle
Substitutes
31 De Vries
05 Stearman
25 Batth
07 Peszko
24 O'Hara
15 Sigurdarson
35 Cassidy
Ref: Madley
MATCH STATS
90mins
Sheffield Wednesday 44% Wolverhampton Wanderers 56%
Shots112
On target  20
Corners  53
Fouls 1015


90:00 +3:30 Full time
Full Time
The final whistle is blown by the referee. 90:00 +2:59 Gary Madine challenges Stephen Ward unfairly and gives away a free kick. Carl Ikeme takes the free kick. 90:00 +0:13 Outswinging corner taken by Jamie O'Hara. 88:06 The ball is sent over by Jeremy Helan. 86:32 Unfair challenge on Gary Madine by Roger Johnson results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Anthony Gardner. 84:58 Effort on goal by Kevin Doyle from outside the box goes harmlessly over the bar. 83:24 Gary Madine replaces Jermaine Johnson. 80:34 Slawomir Peszko replaces Bakary Sako. 76:58 Jake Cassidy comes on in place of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. 76:08 The ball is swung over by Lewis Buxton, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Roger Johnson by Miguel Llera. Carl Ikeme takes the direct free kick. 73:00 Effort from deep inside the area by Jeremy Helan misses to the left of the target. 72:08 Inswinging corner taken by Bakary Sako from the right by-line played to the near post, save made by Chris Kirkland. 71:11 Lewis Buxton produces a cross. 69:40 Karl Henry concedes a free kick for a foul on Giles Coke. Lewis Buxton restarts play with the free kick. 68:38 The ball is swung over by Jermaine Johnson, save by Carl Ikeme. 68:00 Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin Foley on David Prutton. Free kick crossed left-footed by Miguel Llera from right wing. 64:37 Effort on goal by Michail Antonio from just inside the area clears the crossbar. 64:12 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake crosses the ball, Anthony Gardner manages to make a clearance. 62:16 Stephen Ward takes the direct free kick. 62:16 Booking Jermaine Johnson receives a caution.  62:03 Jermaine Johnson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Ward. 59:13 (Wolverhampton) makes a sub, with Jamie O'Hara coming on for David Davis. 58:44 Jermaine Johnson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Ward. Carl Ikeme takes the direct free kick. 57:08 The assistant referee signals for offside against Michail Antonio. Carl Ikeme takes the indirect free kick. 56:11 Kevin Foley challenges Anthony Gardner unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Kirkland takes the free kick. 55:31 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Prutton on David Davis. Free kick taken by Roger Johnson. 54:51 The official flags Kevin Doyle offside. Indirect free kick taken by Chris Kirkland. 52:02 Booking David Davis goes into the book. 51:26 The referee blows for offside. Karl Henry takes the free kick. 50:05 Roger Johnson challenges Reda Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Miguel Llera has a direct shot on goal from the free kick. 49:33 Unfair challenge on Miguel Llera by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake results in a free kick. Chris Kirkland restarts play with the free kick. 47:00 The assistant referee signals for offside against Kevin Foley. Chris Kirkland takes the free kick. 45:42 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lewis Buxton. Free kick taken by Lewis Buxton. 45:01 The referee gets the second half underway.

Half Time MATCH STATS
Possession
Sheffield Wednesday 50% Wolverhampton Wanderers 50%
Shots81
On target 20
Corners51
Fouls58
Live Text Commentary

45:00 +3:25 Half time
Half Time
The players leave the pitch at half time. 45:00 +1:18 The ball is swung over by Lewis Buxton, save by Carl Ikeme. 44:56 Foul by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on Anthony Gardner, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Chris Kirkland. 43:39 Outswinging corner taken by Bakary Sako from the left by-line played to the near post, David Prutton makes a clearance. 43:25 The ball is swung over by Bakary Sako, Miguel Llera makes a clearance. 41:02 Reda Johnson challenges Sylvan Ebanks-Blake unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Bakary Sako from right wing, save by Chris Kirkland. 40:24 Kieran Lee has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post. 39:31 Effort on goal by Giles Coke from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target. 38:44 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Miguel Llera from the right by-line, clearance by Roger Johnson. 37:45 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Christophe Berra by Jermaine Johnson. Free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 36:50 Michail Antonio produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright. 35:44 Chris Kirkland takes the direct free kick. 35:44Booking Sylvan Ebanks-Blake goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. 35:28 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Reda Johnson by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. 34:33 Reda Johnson fouled by Kevin Foley, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Giles Coke. 32:57 Short corner taken by Giles Coke from the left by-line. 32:07 Inswinging corner taken by Giles Coke from the left by-line. 31:17 Corner from left by-line taken by Giles Coke. 30:31 Foul by Christophe Berra on Michail Antonio, free kick awarded. Miguel Llera crosses the ball in from the free kick, Roger Johnson manages to make a clearance. 29:55 Kevin Doyle challenges Anthony Gardner unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Kirkland restarts play with the free kick. 28:01 Michail Antonio sends in a cross, clearance made by Roger Johnson. 27:41 Kevin Foley produces a cross. 27:17 Shot by Jermaine Johnson. Carl Ikeme makes a comfortable save. 26:06 Free kick awarded for a foul by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on Giles Coke. Direct free kick taken by Anthony Gardner. 25:21 Michail Antonio concedes a free kick for a foul on Karl Henry. Direct free kick taken by Roger Johnson. 23:56 The ball is crossed by David Prutton. 23:27 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Miguel Llera, Carl Ikeme makes a save. 23:05 Michail Antonio takes a shot. Carl Ikeme makes a fantastic save. 22:02 The ball is delivered by Kevin Foley. 21:25 Effort from long distance by Jermaine Johnson goes wide right of the goal. 15:04 David Prutton challenges David Davis unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Roger Johnson. 12:41 Long range shot by Kieran Lee goes wide right of the goal. 12:11 The assistant referee flags for offside against Kevin Doyle. Free kick taken by Chris Kirkland. 11:05 Michail Antonio gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Roger Johnson. Roger Johnson restarts play with the free kick. 8:11 Jeremy Helan fouled by David Davis, the ref awards a free kick. Giles Coke crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance by Carl Ikeme. 3:21 Kevin Foley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Reda Johnson. Chris Kirkland takes the free kick. 1:29 Jermaine Johnson produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses right. 0:26 Shot on goal by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake from just inside the area goes over the target. 0:00 The match begins.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association

TEAM NEWS

Sheffield Wednesday defender Anthony Gardner and keeper Chris Kirkland are likely to return to the starting XI.
They should be joined by midfielders Jeremy Helan and David Prutton; the former was cup-tied in midweek and the latter has completed a suspension.
Injured Wolves trio Dave Edwards, Tongo Doumbia and Bjorn Sigurdarson have all returned to training, but may miss out.
Razak Boukari, Steven Mouyokolo, Wayne Hennessey and George Elokobi remain unfit and unavailable for selection.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
•Wolves winger Bakary Sako's free-kick was the difference between the sides when these clubs met for the Championship fixture at Molineux in September.
•The West Midlands club are now looking to take their winning run against Sheffield Wednesday to six, and their unbeaten sequence against the Owls to eight.
•Wednesday have not claimed maximum points against Wolves at Hillsborough since September 1964, when they completed a 2-0 top-flight triumph.
Sheffield Wednesday
•Sheffield Wednesday lie one place and three points above the danger zone, and yet are joint top of the Championship's form table, with four wins and a draw from their last six outings.
•The current return of 28 points after 27 games is the same mark as 2009-10, the season they were relegated to League One.
•Dave Jones, who faces the club he took up to the Premier League in 2003, could give Lewis Buxton his 150th league appearance for the Owls.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
•Wolves gained a point from a 1-1 home draw with Blackburn in Dean Saunders's first game in charge last weekend. It leaves the club joint bottom of the Championship's form table, with four points from a possible 18.
•The Molineux club have won three of their last 18 in league and cup, and own the shortest goal scorers list in the Championship of only nine players.
•Karl Henry could make his 400th club career appearance.

Friday 11th January Wolves v Blackburn Rovers  k.o. 7:45pm Live on Sky

Wolves 1 Johnson 74′ Blackburn 1 Rhodes 26′ (pen)
FT 90 +6  HT 0-1
11 January 2013
Blackburn's Rochina's blatant dive for a penalty rewarded by "young" lino but a much improved performance in patches from Wolves.  Jamie O'Hara's second touch leads directly to the Roger Johnson's equaliser. 
But, thanks to Sky Danny Murphy still getting his just desserts from the South Bank for his behaviour while at Fulham was forced to present Karl Henry with his man-of- the match award

By Phil Cartwright of BBC Sport at Molineux
Roger Johnson rescued a draw for Wolves in their first match under new manager Dean Saunders, denying Blackburn a fourth straight win. Rovers confirmed Michael Appleton as their new boss before kick-off and Jordan Rhodes's penalty put them ahead.  Wolves' Bakary Sako almost levelled direct from a corner but was denied by Danny Murphy's goal-line clearance.  But centre-back Johnson was on hand to nod in Jamie O'Hara's long pass and ensure the points were shared.
The draw means both sides rise one place in the Championship table - Wolves to 17th and Blackburn to 12th.
Blackburn blunted -Roger Johnson's equaliser stopped Blackburn chalking up a fourth straight win for the first time since October 2007.
Appleton, who was confirmed as Henning Berg's successor two hours prior to kick off, will inherit a Rovers team full of confidence, having won three and
drawn one of their four matches under caretaker boss Gary Bowyer.  Saunders, meanwhile, can take satisfaction from ending a run of four straight Wolves defeats and watching a much-improved showing from a side embarrassed by non-league Luton in the FA Cup six days previously.  The former Wales striker arrived to an excellent welcome from the home supporters.  His players seemed to relish the occasion to impress the new man too, making the brighter start and going close three times in a frenetic two-minute spell early in the game.  Kevin Foley headed wide from a Stephen Ward cross, Jake Cassidy's effort from 12 yards was blocked and Johnson went close with an acrobatic volley.  Seconds after Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme had prevented Scotland international Rhodes from netting when through one-on-one, Blackburn's Jake Kean pulled off the save of the match, plunging to his left to deny Foley's hooked attempt from close-range.hen, against the run of play, Blackburn went ahead. A free-kick on the right touchline was taken short to Ruben Rochina, who danced past winger Sako and went down under minimal contact inside the box.  A penalty was awarded, initially by the assistant referee, and Rhodes kept his cool to fire Rovers in front from the spot for his 14th goal since joining Blackburn at the end of August. It sparked the visitors into life and Rochina, now being booed after every touch, tested Ikeme with a two shots from distance either side of the interval.  At the other end, Sako's set-pieces continued to be a constant threat. Murphy was required to head a corner off his own line, while Johnson again headed off target moments later.  But Wolves and Johnson would not be denied for much longer.   Substitute O'Hara made an instant impact, his centre from deep headed home at the far post by the former Birmingham defender to level proceedings.  The contest became more and more feisty as it wore on, with players from both sides becoming involved in an increasing number of petty incidents and collecting a series of yellow cards.  Wolves, buoyed by their equaliser, looked the more likely to snatch a winner at the death, but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the final 15 minutes and the 100th meeting between two of the most famous names in English football would end in a draw.
Wolves manager Dean Saunders: "I couldn't have asked for any more. I thought we would have had a bit more pressure on us tonight, but we played really well.  The young linesman couldn't wait to give the penalty, it's not a penalty. The lad's kicked [Bakary] Sako's legs - I have to say it was an irresponsible challenge from Sako, putting his leg in, but he's a winger. But what a ball from Jamie O'Hara [for the equaliser], it was a centre-half's dream, Roger Johnson picked the flight up and it's a great header. Sometimes you get the  right and sometimes you get them wrong."
Blackburn Rovers caretaker manager Gary Bowyer: "I thought it was a very hard-working point. With Dean [Saunders] coming in, we knew it would be a battle and that they would be up for it from minute one.  That showed in the first 10 minutes, where they put us under a lot of pressure, but we coped admirably. We got the penalty, which was a penalty, and Jordan Rhodes was magnificent.  The referee took ages before he was allowed to take it, but he slotted it away nicely. We just got done by one long pump into the box, but I can't fault the players. They've been magnificent for us for the four games and they need to now kick on."

LINEUP, Bookings (8) & Subs (6)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
13 Ikeme
11 Ward
14 Johnson
16 Berra
23 Zubar (Peszko - 67' )
32 Foley
08 Henry Booked
10 Sako
26 Davis Booked (O'Hara - 74' Booked )
29 Doyle Booked
35 Cassidy (Ebanks-Blake - 79' )
Substitutes
31 De Vries
05 Stearman
25 Batth
07 Peszko
24 O'Hara
27 Forde
09 Ebanks-Blake
Blackburn Rovers
34 Kean
03 Mn Olsson Booked
16 Dann
22 Kane
31 G Hanley (Givet - 81' )
06 Lowe
13 Murphy Booked
33 Vukcevic (Pedersen - 56' Booked )
11 Rhodes
23 Rochina (Morris - 80' )
39 Kazim-Richards Booked
Substitutes
30 Usai
05 Givet
12 Pedersen
24 Morris
38 Rosado
21 Nuno Gomes
25 Goodwillie
Ref: Whitestone
Att: 20,264
MATCH STATS
Possession 90mins
Wolverhampton Wanderers 53% Blackburn Rovers 47%
Shots1110
On target 5 7
Corners 8 2
Fouls1714
Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:04 Full time
Full Time
The final whistle is blown by the referee. 90:00 +3:17 Josh Morris challenges Slawomir Peszko unfairly and gives away a free kick. Karl Henry takes the free

kick. 90:00 +2:37 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Jake Kean takes the free kick. 90:00 +1:24 Josh Morris takes a shot.

Blocked by Roger Johnson. 90:00 +0:25 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is ruled offside. Jake Kean restarts play with the free kick. 87:53 Martin Olsson challenges

Slawomir Peszko unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Bakary Sako. 87:10 Jake Kean takes the free kick. 87:10 Kevin Doyle shown a

yellow card. 87:02 Foul by Kevin Doyle on Jake Kean, free kick awarded. 85:48 Colin Kazim-Richards takes a shot. Stephen Ward gets a block in. Sylvan

Ebanks-Blake concedes a free kick for a foul on Jason Lowe. Morten Gamst Pedersen restarts play with the free kick. 82:18 The referee books Jamie O'Hara

for unsporting behaviour. 82:16 Morten Gamst Pedersen booked. 80:58 Gael Givet is brought on as a substitute for Grant Hanley. 78:30 Jake Kean restarts

play with the free kick. 78:30 Josh Morris joins the action as a substitute, replacing Ruben Rochina. 78:30 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake replaces Jake Cassidy. 78:30

The referee blows for offside. 75:51 Jamie O'Hara gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Colin Kazim-Richards. Free kick crossed by Morten Gamst

Pedersen. 74:40 Unfair challenge on Kevin Doyle by Grant Hanley results in a free kick. Bakary Sako takes the free kick. 73:32 Assist on the goal came from

Jamie O'Hara.
73:32 Goal scored
Goal - Roger Johnson - Wolves 1 - 1 Blackburn
Roger Johnson scores a headed goal from close in. Wolverhampton 1-1 Blackburn. 72:52 Stephen Ward restarts play with the free kick. 72:52 Jamie O'Hara

replaces David Davis. 72:52 Ruben Rochina challenges Stephen Ward unfairly and gives away a free kick. 72:09 Kevin Doyle takes a shot. Save by Jake Kean.

71:15 Todd Kane has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post. 69:25 Foul by Ruben Rochina on David Davis, free

kick awarded. Roger Johnson takes the direct free kick. 66:40 Unfair challenge on Danny Murphy by Kevin Doyle results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken

by Danny Murphy. 66:40 Slawomir Peszko joins the action as a substitute, replacing Ronald Zubar. 65:14 Scott Dann takes the free kick. 65:14
David Davis is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. 65:06 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Colin Kazim-Richards by David Davis. 61:51

Corner taken by Bakary Sako from the right by-line to the near post, Jordan Rhodes makes a clearance. Ronald Zubar produces a header from inside the six-

yard box that clears the bar. 61:51 Martin Olsson is shown a yellow card for dissent. 60:09 Free kick awarded for a foul by Karl Henry on Ruben Rochina. Jake

Kean restarts play with the free kick. 57:55 Foul by Colin Kazim-Richards on Karl Henry, free kick awarded. The ball is delivered by Bakary Sako, Roger

Johnson has a header from deep inside the six-yard box and clears the crossbar. 55:52 Simon Vukcevic goes off and Morten Gamst Pedersen comes on. 54:39

Corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako, clearance made by Scott Dann. 54:22 Unfair challenge on Kevin Doyle by Todd Kane results in a free kick. Free kick

taken by David Davis. 53:03 Jake Cassidy takes a shot. Grant Hanley gets a block in.  Corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako, clearance made by Danny

Murphy. 51:41 Danny Murphy fouled by Bakary Sako, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Danny Murphy. Headed effort from inside the

penalty area by Jordan Rhodes misses to the right of the target. 50:37 Bakary Sako gives  away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Simon Vukcevic. Jake

Kean restarts play with the free kick. 48:41 Simon Vukcevic takes a shot. Blocked by Karl Henry. Corner taken left-footed by Simon Vukcevic from the right

by-line, Roger Johnson makes a clearance. 47:51 Ruben Rochina takes a shot. Save made by Carl Ikeme. 45:01 The referee starts the second half.
45:00 +2:39 Half time
Half Time
The first half comes to an end. 45:00 +1:59 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Simon Vukcevic played to the near post, Kevin Doyle makes a clearance.

45:00 +0:32 Shot on goal comes in from Ruben Rochina from the free kick. 45:00 +0:32

Karl Henry receives a caution. 45:00 +0:26 Free kick awarded for a foul by Karl Henry on Todd Kane. 40:49 David Davis has an effort at goal from deep inside

the area missing to the right of the goal. 39:13 Colin Kazim-Richards has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target. 37:59 Ruben

Rochina takes a shot. Carl Ikeme makes a save. 36:23 Karl Henry restarts play with the free kick. 36:23 The referee shows Danny Murphy a yellow card for

unsporting behaviour. 36:08 Danny Murphy concedes a free kick for a foul on David Davis. 35:07 Colin Kazim-Richards is adjudged to have handled the ball.

Christophe Berra takes the direct free kick. 30:04 The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 29:20 Grant Hanley is penalised for handball

and concedes a free kick. Bakary Sako crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Jake Kean. 27:17 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Karl

Henry by Colin Kazim-Richards. Stephen Ward restarts play with the free kick. 26:16 Assist by Ruben Rochina. 25:41 Goal scored Goal - Jordan Rhodes -

Wolves 0 - 1 Blackburn Penalty taken right-footed by Jordan Rhodes and scored. Wolverhampton 0-1 Blackburn. 24:45 Penalty awarded for an unfair

challenge on Ruben Rochina by Bakary Sako. (NO, IT WAS A DIVE) 23:27 Foul by Stephen Ward on Simon Vukcevic, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken

by Simon Vukcevic. 22:25 Unfair challenge on Jordan Rhodes by Roger Johnson results in a free kick. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick. 21:32

Ruben Rochina fouled by Kevin Foley, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Murphy takes the free kick. 18:58 Kevin Foley takes a shot. Save made by Jake Kean.

18:09 Jordan Rhodes is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 17:22 Jordan Rhodes takes a shot. Save made by Carl Ikeme. 16:48 Free kick awarded

for an unfair challenge on Ruben Rochina by Kevin Doyle. Danny Murphy takes the direct free kick. 15:43 Effort on goal by David Davis from just inside the

area clears the crossbar.  14:17 Corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako from the left by-line to the near post, Colin Kazim-Richards makes a clearance.

Bakary Sako takes a short corner. 13:37 Bakary Sako takes the outswinging corner, Colin Kazim-Richards makes a clearance. 12:55 Ruben Rochina challenges

Stephen Ward unfairly and  gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Christophe Berra. 10:37 Free kick awarded for a foul by Bakary Sako on Todd

Kane. Free kick taken by Todd Kane. 9:56 Jordan Rhodes is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Stephen Ward. 9:22 The official flags Kevin Doyle offside. Jake

Kean takes the free kick. 8:43 Direct free kick taken by Stephen Ward. 8:43  Colin Kazim-Richards is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour. 8:24 Foul

by Colin Kazim-Richards on Karl Henry, free kick awarded. 7:03 Effort from deep inside the area by Roger Johnson misses to the right of the target. 6:25 Jake

Cassidy takes a shot. Blocked by Jason Lowe. Corner from the right by-line taken by Bakary Sako, Danny Murphy makes a clearance. 5:36 Grant Hanley gives

away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kevin Doyle. Free kick crossed left-footed by Bakary Sako. 4:52 Headed effort from deep inside the area by Kevin

Foley misses to the right of the goal. 4:19 Foul by Colin Kazim-Richards on Roger Johnson, free kick awarded. Roger Johnson takes the direct free kick. 3:21

Bakary Sako challenges Todd Kane unfairly and gives away a free kick. Danny Murphy takes the free kick. 2:54 Foul by Ruben Rochina on Ronald Zubar, free

kick awarded. Free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 1:40 Karl Henry concedes a free kick for a foul on Simon Vukcevic. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free

kick. 0:25 Bakary Sako takes a corner. 0:00 The referee gets the game started.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association

TEAM NEWS

Wolves will be without midfielder Tongo Doumbia who returned from international duty with Mali with a hamstring injury.
Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and defenders Dave Edwards, George Elokobi and Steven Mouyokolo are sidelined.
Blackburn defender Gael Givet has returned to fitness, but goalkeeper Paul Robinson (back) and midfielder Dickson Etuhu (knee) remain sidelined.
Adam Henley is out with a hamstring injury so on loan Chelsea full-back Todd Kane could make his debut.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
•This is the 100th competitive meeting; Blackburn have won 40 of the previous 99, and Wolves 38.
•Bakary Sako scored the only goal when these two met at Ewood Park on 6 October, which gives Wolves the chance to wrap up a first double over Rovers in

53 years. They took maximum points off the Lancashire club in 1959/60, in a top-flight season in which they finished one point behind champions Burnley.
•Blackburn have lost only two of their last 11 league and cup matches against the black-country club.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
•Dean Saunders, Wolves' fourth manager in under a year, has an immediate task of halting the joint longest current losing run in the Championship of three

matches, and of four in all competitions.
•They have picked up one win in nine at Molineux, and have scored one goal in the last four.
•If selected, Christophe Berra will be making his 150th Wolverhampton appearance.
Blackburn Rovers
•Blackburn have won all three league and cup games under caretaker Gary Bowyer, and could win three second level league games in succession for the first

time in 12 years.
•Rovers are 13 points down on this same stage when they last played at this level in 2000/01.
•Scott Dann is standing by to make his 200th career league start.

Sunday 6th January Millwall Lionesses  v Wolves Women FAWC k.o. 1pm

A very sprited performance by the ladies against a tough Millwall team, whose goalie was on top form.  Match pix here

Saturday 5th January Luton Town 1 (Lawless 46) Wolves 0 F A Cup 3rd Round k.o. 3pm

Home and away fans united in singing "sacked in the morning"

Stale Solbakken’s six-month reign plunged to a new low after Wolves were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-League Luton.

Alex Lawless’s superb volley in the 46th minute was all that separated the sides in a game the visitors should have won as owner Steve Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey watched on grim-faced. What the top brass feel is not clear but the result – Wolves’ fourth defeat in a row – left angry fans feeling like they have had enough as they chanted ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ and ‘what a load of rubbish’ at the final whistle.

Kevin Doyle missed a golden chance to have put Wolves ahead in the sixth minute while the Ireland international also hit the underside of the bar and Christophe Berra hit the woodwork after the break and the returning Jamie O’Hara had a chip tipped over.  But in yet another second-half fadeout, Wolves were found wanting again in another performance without the passion, craft and flair demanded by the long-suffering supporters. Solbakken made two changes to the side beaten 3-1 at Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day.  O’Hara made his first start since March and Anthony Forde started on the right as Richard Stearman and David Davis stepped down.  A fast and frantic start saw Wolves carve the opening chance after six minutes and they should have taken the lead.  Clean-through Doyle fired wide from inside the area after being left in the clear when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake flicked on Carl Ikeme’s giant kick. Doyle was presented with a more difficult chance in the 20th minute from Bakary Sako’s cross, and with his back to goal, he mis-hit an overhead kick which trickled wide after a superb crossfield ball with the outside of his foot from O’Hara.  Luton had the next chance two minutes later, and it took brilliant reflexes from Carl Ikeme to spring from his line and smother Wolverhampton-born Andre Gray’s shot after Roger Johnson inadvertedly headed on a long ball under heavy pressure from Jon Shaw.  Gray had another opportunity soon after after cutting inside former Luton man Kevin Foley far too easily, but the in-form striker could only blaze well over from a decent position.  Wolves returned to the attack and O’Hara’s craft created an opening in the 32nd minute for Forde but the youngster mis-kicked at the vital moment and the opportunity was lost. The visitors ended the first half on a high and should have gone into the break in front after gaining a head of steam.  First Doyle’s near post shot cannoned down off the underside of the bar and was cleared from Sako’s corner. Then Sako’s fierce shot was superbly saved by Luton keeper Mark Tyler after Ebanks-Blake’s run and cross from the left. 
From the way they were suddenly playing, Wolves didn’t really want the half to end. But if they knew what was to follow, they would definitely have wanted to stay out on the pitch.  Within a minute of the restart, Lawless had volleyed Luton’s winner, smashing home a superb volley from the edge of the box after Christophe Berra headed away a deflected cross that had looped up.  It was a massive body blow to Wolves, who never looked like recovering in another desperately poor second half.  Berra headed against the top of bar from Sako’s centre as the shellshocked visitors tried to muster a rally.  There were nine minutes of time added on at the end of the game after JJ O’Donnell was stretchered off after a long delay.  But Wolves’ only attempt on goal was a chip from O’Hara that was tipped over.  The final whistle saw furious Wolves fans chanting ‘what a load of rubbish’ and wondering if they had seen Solbakken’s last game in charge.

The Beeb said Non-league Luton Town secured a place in the FA Cup fourth round with a shock win against woeful Wolverhampton.  Alex Lawless was the Conference side's hero and his winner piled more pressure on Wolves boss Stale Solbakken.  Wolves were punished when defender Kevin Foley made a mess of a clearance, allowing Jon Shaw to head down for Lawless to volley home on 46 minutes.  Four-times winners Wolves created little in response as the Hatters deservedly ran out surprise winners.
LINEUP, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)
Luton Town
01 Tyler Booked
02 Rowe-Turner
03 Taylor
06 Kovacs
25 Henry
07 Lawless
14 Mendy
17 O'Donnell (Fleetwood - 77' )
24 Smith
09 Shaw
27 Gray (Rendell - 90' )
Substitutes
33 Brill
16 Lacey
23 Robinson
10 Rendell
13 Fleetwood
28 Woolley
29 Walker
Wolverhampton Wanderers
13 Ikeme
11 Ward
14 Johnson
16 Berra
32 Foley (Davis - 75' )
08 Henry
10 Sako
24 O'Hara
27 Forde (Peszko - 67' Booked )
09 Ebanks-Blake Booked
29 Doyle (Cassidy - 68' )
Substitutes
31 De Vries
05 Stearman
34 Margreitter
07 Peszko
20 Pennant
26 Davis
35 Cassidy
Ref: Geoff Eltrigham
Att: 9,638
MATCH STATS
Possession
53%
47%
90mins
Luton Town 47% Wolverhampton Wanderers 53%
Shots    87
On target    43
Corners    28
Fouls   106
Live Text Commentary

90:00 +9:19 Full time
Full Time
The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle. 90:00 +8:39 The ball is crossed by David Davis, save by Mark Tyler. 90:00 +7:00 Mark Tyler receives a
yellow card for time wasting. 90:00 +5:18 Bakary Sako sends in a cross. 90:00 +4:56 Stuart Fleetwood handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Jamie O'Hara takes the free kick. 90:00 +3:43 Jamie O'Hara takes a shot. Save by Mark Tyler. Bakary Sako takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Janos Kovacs. 90:00 +3:22 A cross is delivered by Jamie O'Hara. 89:55 Scott Rendell replaces Andre Gray. 88:55 The ball is crossed by David Davis, save by Mark Tyler. 88:28 Stuart Fleetwood takes a shot. Save by Carl Ikeme. 87:39 Carl Ikeme takes the direct free kick. 87:39 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is cautioned. 87:17 Foul by Alex Lawless on Slawomir Peszko, free kick awarded. 85:57 Bakary Sako takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Greg Taylor. 84:24 The ball is swung over by Jamie O'Hara. 82:47 Unfair challenge on Janos Kovacs by Jake Cassidy results in a free kick. Mark Tyler takes the direct free kick. 82:22 Stephen Ward crosses the ball, Ronnie Henry gets a block in. 81:37 Jamie O'Hara produces a cross, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner manages to make a clearance. 79:45 Bakary Sako takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Lathaniel Rowe-Turner. 78:10 Stuart Fleetwood sends in a cross, save made by Carl Ikeme.  77:40 Shot by Andre Gray from a long way out goes over the net. 70:47 Free kick taken by Alex Lawless. 70:47 (Luton) makes a substitute, with Stuart Fleetwood coming on for JJ O'Donnell. 70:47 David Davis on for Kevin Foley. 70:47 The referee shows Slawomir Peszko a yellow card. 70:28 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on JJ O'Donnell by Slawomir Peszko. 68:52 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner fouled by Jake Cassidy, the ref awards a free kick. Mark Tyler takes the direct free kick. 67:49 Foul by Arnaud Mendy on Jamie O'Hara, free kick awarded. Stephen Ward restarts play with the free kick. 67:12 Kevin Doyle goes off and Jake Cassidy comes on. 66:37 Slawomir Peszko comes on in place of Anthony Forde. 65:43 The ball is crossed by Bakary Sako. 64:50 Karl Henry crosses the ball. 63:33 Foul by Andre Gray on Christophe Berra, free kick awarded. Christophe Berra takes the direct free kick. 62:59 The ball is sent over by Stephen Ward, Kevin Doyle takes a shot. Save made by Mark Tyler. 57:46 Free kick awarded for a foul by Anthony Forde on Jonathan Smith. Free kick taken by Greg Taylor. 55:45 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Anthony Forde by Jonathan Smith. Jamie O'Hara takes the free kick. 55:17 The ball is delivered by Bakary Sako, save by Mark Tyler. 52:39 Christophe Berra takes a shot. 52:28 Bakary Sako crosses the ball. 52:09 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner concedes a free kick for a foul on Kevin Doyle. Jamie O'Hara takes the direct free kick. 50:29 Greg Taylor takes a shot. Roger Johnson makes a clearance. 49:52 Corner taken right-footed by Alex Lawless from the right by-line, Roger Johnson manages to make a clearance. 48:32 Effort on goal by JJ O'Donnell from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target. 48:07 The ball is crossed by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Greg Taylor makes a clearance. 45:45 The assist for the goal came from Jon Shaw. 45:45 Goal scored
Goal - Alex Lawless - Luton 1 - 0 Wolves Alex Lawless scores a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Luton 1-0 Wolverhampton. 45:20 Jon Shaw crosses the ball, Roger Johnson makes a clearance. 45:01 The game restarts for the second half.

MATCH STATS Half Time
Possession
52%
48%
45mins
         Luton Town 48% Wolverhampton Wanderers 52%
Shots     34
On target11
Corners15
Fouls52
Live Text Commentary

45:00 +2:07 Half time
Half Time
The ref blows to signal half-time. 45:00 +0:18 Foul by JJ O'Donnell on Kevin Foley, free kick awarded. Kevin Foley takes the free kick. 44:08 Bakary Sako takes a shot. Save by Mark Tyler. 43:05 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako, Greg Taylor manages to make a clearance. 42:08 Corner taken by Bakary Sako from the right by-line to the near post, Mark Tyler makes a save. 41:59 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake delivers the ball, clearance by Greg Taylor. 38:48 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako played to the near post, Roger Johnson produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar. 37:47 Corner taken left-footed by Bakary Sako, save by Mark Tyler. 36:37 Anthony Forde sends in a cross, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner makes a clearance. Bakary Sako takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Greg Taylor. 34:46 Anthony Forde fouled by Jonathan Smith, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie O'Hara takes the direct free kick. 32:09 Andre Gray sends in a cross. 29:11 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kevin Doyle. Stephen Ward takes the direct free kick. 27:34 Bakary Sako delivers the ball, save by Mark Tyler. 25:55 Roger Johnson fouled by Jon Shaw, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 24:27 Shot from deep inside the area by Andre Gray clears the crossbar. 23:43 Shot from just outside the box by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake misses to the right of the target. 23:01 The ball is crossed by Bakary Sako, Alex Lawless gets a block in. 22:37 Kevin Doyle crosses the ball, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner makes a clearance. 21:48 Foul by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on Jonathan Smith, free kick awarded. Alex Lawless takes the free kick. 21:21 Andre Gray takes a shot. Save by Carl Ikeme. 20:39 The assistant referee flags for offside against Andre Gray. Roger Johnson takes the free kick. 17:43 Jamie O'Hara gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alex Lawless. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ronnie Henry from right channel, Kevin Foley manages to make a clearance. 15:25 Andre Gray is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Christophe Berra. 13:34 The ball is swung over by Janos Kovacs. 10:07 Andre Gray is penalised for a handball. Direct free kick taken by Christophe Berra. 9:07 The ball is sent over by Greg Taylor. The referee blows for offside against Alex Lawless. Free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 8:13 JJ O'Donnell takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post. 5:45 Kevin Doyle has an effort at goal from the edge of the area that misses to the right of the target. 5:09 JJ O'Donnell takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar. 3:04 The ball is crossed by Anthony Forde. 2:47 Stephen Ward delivers the ball. 2:01 Jonathan Smith challenges Kevin Doyle unfairly and gives away a free kick. Karl Henry restarts play with the free kick. 0:00 The game kicks-off.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association

TEAM NEWS

Luton Town will be without defender Simon Ainge and winger Scott Neilson, who are both cup-tied.
Jonathan Smith and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner are likely to come into the side to deputise for the missing duo.
Wolves winger Bakary Sako looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury while midfielders Tongo Doumbia (hamstring) and Bjorn Sigurdarson (thigh) will be

given checks ahead of kick-off.
Winger Slawomir Peszko is close to returning after three months out.
MATCH FACTS

Head to head
•Wolves have won 14 and lost 12 of their 31 league and cup matches against Luton since 1932.
•The Black Country club won 3-2 on the last occasion they visited Kenilworth Road, in the Championship in March 2007.
•Wolves also won their two previous FA Cup ties, again both at Kenilworth Road; 2-1 in the third round in 1932, and 4-1, in the fifth round in 1960, the year they went on to win the competition.
Luton Town
•Luton are one of four non-league survivors in the third round, and one of three Blue Square Bet Premier clubs still vying to make progress.
•The Hatters are appearing at this stage for seventh time in 10 years, and are hoping to make the fourth round for the first time since 2007.
•The 1959 runners-up, to Nottingham Forest, lie 59 lower than Wolves on the league ladder.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
•Wolves fell at the third round hurdle for the first time in 10 years last season, when, as a Premier League club, they were beaten by Birmingham City, then of the Championship.
•Wolves were in the fourth tier when they were last knocked out by a non-league club. Chorley of the Northern Premier needed three matches, eventually winning a first round second replay 3-0 at Burnden Park, Bolton on 24 November 1986.
•The Molineux club have lifted the FA Cup four times, but the most recent was in 1960.


Wolves: Kevin Foley hungry to succeed on his return to Luton

By Ged Scott
BBC Midlands Sport
Kevin Foley admits that he is hungrier than ever to get a result when he heads back to Kenilworth Road with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday

afternoon.
The 28-year-old former Luton Town right-back thought it looked a tasty enough treat on the FA Cup menu when Wolves were paired with his old club when

the third-round draw was made a month ago.
After all, his mum Kathleen still runs a cafe just round the corner from the ground - and the Luton-born Republic of Ireland international defender was looking

forward to being pestered for tickets by friends and family.
But Wolves' bleak Christmas has suddenly attached a great deal of importance to Saturday's fixture. And Foley knows that there are now bigger fish to fry -

chiefly the job of getting past the Luton minnows.

After three straight league defeats to send the dark clouds scurrying back over Wolves manager Stale Solbakken's head, the travelling contingent down the

M1 to Bedfordshire know that an embarrassing Cup exit to a Blue Square Bet Premier side would seriously test the Molineux board's patience.
"It was a great draw for me when it was made," Foley told BBC Sport. "I was excited about the tie and going back to Luton.
"It is a special game for me but it would certainly have been nicer going there with some wins behind us and in a better league position.
"After our last three performances it has become far more significant and this is now a very big game for us.
"We need to win - simple as that.
"The pressure will be on us and off Luton. But we have to go down there, put in a performance and reach the next round."
Foley, now in his sixth season at Molineux after being signed by Mick McCarthy from Luton in August 2007, is not the only former Hatters player in the Wolves

ranks, midfielder Dave Edwards having followed him to the Black Country in the next January window.
Edwards will miss Saturday's game, having been sidelined in December for two months with a bad hamstring tear.
But he, like Foley, will have warned his team-mates what to expect from an intimidating crowd at tightly-packed Kenilworth Road against a club who have

average home gates of 6,000, will be close to their 10,000 capacity on Saturday and are non-league very much in name only.
"I'm sure it will be a sell-out with a great atmosphere," said Foley, who was first picked up by Luton at the age of just nine.
Kevin Foley's Fact File
Born Luton, 1 November 1984
After making his debut as a 17-year-old in October 2002, made 155 (11) appearances for the Hatters, scoring 10 goals
15 Aug 2007 - Signed by Mick McCarthy for Wolves for an undisclosed fee
Has so far played 182 (14) for Wolves, scoring five goals
Has won eight caps for the Republic of Ireland
"We always had a fairly decent home record in my day and they are always tough conditions for an away side. The Luton fans get behind the team.
"But it is an experience a lot of us have been through before.
"A lot of the players in our squad have come up through the lower leagues and gone on from there to play in big stadiums, so we should all be ready for what

to expect and the fact we will have to battle it out with a team trying to cause a shock."
It is Wolves' first visit to Luton since winning a five-goal Championship thriller there in March 2007, when Foley was on the losing side.
"I remember it was an exciting game at Kenilworth Road when Karl Henry got the winner and Wolves won 3-2, " he recalls.
"That was a big win for Wolves, at the time when they were just picking up and starting their push for the play-offs.
"And, earlier in the season at Molineux, Jemal Johnson got the winner in a very tight game.
"That season we ended up getting relegated and Wolves missed out in the play-offs.
"I was then signed by Wolves and I've been delighted to go on and have some success here."
The other Kenilworth Road connection

The only members of the playing staff still at Luton from his time there are stand-in keeper Dean Brill and reserve team boss Alan Neilson. But he still has fond

thoughts of his home-town club - and especially of his mum's cooking.
"She runs a café called Snack Attack not far from the ground," reveals Foley. "She used to supply the players with baguettes after training and I think she

still supplies food for the police on matchdays.
"I think a few of the players still go in there, so I can imagine there has been a bit of banter going back and forth."
Despite all the cash raked in over a two-and-half year period by the big money sales of Foley, Edwards, Curtis Davies (£3m to WBA, August 2005), Steve

Howard (£1m to Derby, July 2006), Kevin Nicholls (£700,000 to Leeds, July 2006), Carlos Edwards (£1.4m to Sunderland, January 2007), Leon Barnett (£2.5m

TO WBA, July 2007) and Rowan Vine (£2.5m to Birmingham, January 2008), Luton have fallen on hard times since he left five and a half years ago.
After suffering relegation in three successive seasons as the former owners' financial world collapsed around them, Luton have found it hard to get back into

the Football League - and currently lie fifth in the league table, eight points off top spot, midway through their fourth successive tilt at promotion. A far cry

from their great days of Syd Owen, Malcolm MacDonald, Eric Morecambe, David Pleat, not to mention their 1988 League Cup final win over Arsenal at

Wembley.
"Being deducted points was always going to make it difficult," admits Foley. "And the Conference seems a really tough league to get out of.
"The play-offs is always something of a lottery. If there were two automatic promotion places I think they'd be well up by now. But hopefully they'll get back

into the league as soon as possible."

Kevin Foley on his best Hatters' FA Cup memory

Probably my best-ever memory with Luton came in the FA Cup third round at Kenilworth Road when we played Liverpool in 2006. It was on television under

the lights, set up for a classic and it was. We were leading 3-1 but eventually lost 5-3 and it was a magnificent game - I remember Alonso scored from the

halfway line and Gerrard got a great goal too. It was the best game I was involved in with Luton even though we finished on the losing side

Luton Town chairman Nick Owen, presenter of BBC Midlands Today, admits he has always had a soft spot for Wolves. "The great Billy Wright gave me my first job in television when he was head of ATV Sport and I worked alongside him for many years," he told BBC Sport. "He always inspired me with his tales from captaining Wolves and England. I've got loads of friends who support Wolves, people like Bev Bevan and Rachel Heyhoe-Flint. I spoke at Derek Dougan's funeral and was at Jack Taylor's funeral recently too, so I've always looked out for their results."

Tuesday 1st January Crystal Palace 3 Moritz 31 52 Bolasie 40 Wolves 1  Ebanks-Blake 75 k.o. 3pm

pictures of mascot Brett Baker courtesy of Barry.

Wolves’ crisis deepened and the pressure mounted on boss Stale Solbakken as his side crashed to their third successive defeat at Crystal Palace.   A miserable festive period has seen Wolves lose to then bottom side Peterborough, Ipswich and Palace, conceding eight and scoring just once.   A free kick from Andre Moritz on 31 and a toe poke from Yannick Bolasie eight minutes later meant there was no way back for Wolves. Another Moritz free kick seven minutes after the break clinched the points for Ian Holloway’s side.  Sylvan Ebanks-Blake’s customary goal against Palace and his 10th of the season reduced the arrears 15 minutes from time and at least ensured a competitive end to the game.  But it was another thoroughly unconvincing display from Wolves, devoid of creativity and chances, apart from David Davis’ eighth-minute drive against the post.  Solbakken promised changes but made just one from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich.  And that was enforced as Richard Stearman replaced Bjorn Sigurdarson, who was ruled out with a recurrence of his thigh injury.  Tongo Doumbia was the other casualty from the 18 from Saturday, out with a tight hamstring.  Stearman, making his first start in nine, was at right back while Kevin Foley was pushed up to right midfield as Solbakken attempted to become more solid.  Palace started on the front foot with Glenn Murray flicking a header over from Moritz’s free kick. Wolves held their own for the opening minutes and went desperately close to taking the lead when Davis’ rising drive crashed off the outside of the post after bursting through two players, Bakary Sako firing wide from the rebound.  But Palace soon began to take control, and they seemed quicker all over the pitch and able to play at a higher tempo than Wolves, while harrying their lethargic-looking opponents out of their stride.  Bolasie’s 30-yarder bounced dangerously wide and Murray sent a skidding shot the same way after great trickery and a cross from Wilfried Zaha left Wolves in a tangle.  Palace continually led the visitors a merry dance down the flanks and Zaha was next to try his luck, curling over from Jonathan Parr’s cross.  Roger Johnson came to Wolves’ rescue when he hacked Zaha’s shot off the line from Parr’s centre.  Palace had built up a head of steam and it came as no surprise when they took a deserved lead, even if the trip by Sako that resulted in the free kick they scored from wasn’t convincing.  The finish was however, as Moritz curled the ball into Carl Ikeme’s left-hand corner of the net from 25 yards.  Soon it was 2-0 and Wolves could have no complaints.  Again Palace showed more pace and liveliness to open up the visitors far too easily. Zaha managed to emerge with the ball despite Stearman lunging in on him in the centre circle, and raced upfield before finding Bolasie with a short pass with a toe-poked finish to Ikeme’s near post.  Little changed after the break as Palace scored their third goal in the first attack of the half.  Stephen Ward tripped Moritz 25 yards out as he tried to dribble across the D and the Brazilian midfielder picked himself up and curled the ball into Ikeme’s top right-hand corner.  The 61st-minute arrival of Jamie O’Hara and Anthony Forde for Davis and the ineffective Sako improved Wolves slightly as they showed signs of at least competing.  Ebanks-Blake rattled one fierce, angled effort into the sidenetting on 69 minutes and six minutes later, grabbed a consolation with a smart turn and shot from 15 yards after turning onto Stearman’s free kick.  But although there was a rarely seen edge to Wolves for the closing quarter of an hour – principally in defence, as Roger Johnson was booked for a set-to with Murray, and Stearman, who buffeting of Bolasie put the Palace winger over the advertising hoardings, they failed to create any chances.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (4) & SubstitutionS (6)
Crystal Palace
01 Speroni
21 Moxey
28 Ramage
33 Gabbidon (Martin - 46' )
04 Parr
07 Bolasie (O'Keefe - 90' )
08 Dikgacoi Booked
15 Jedinak
30 Moritz (Williams - 80' )
16 Zaha
17 Murray Booked
Substitutes
34 Price
03 Wright
06 Martin
20 Williams
22 O'Keefe
19 Easter
24 Appiah
Wolverhampton Wanderers
13 Ikeme
05 Stearman Booked
11 Ward
14 Johnson Booked
16 Berra
32 Foley (Pennant - 80' )
08 Henry
10 Sako (Forde - 60' )
26 Davis (O'Hara - 60' )
09 Ebanks-Blake
29 Doyle
Substitutes
31 De Vries
25 Batth
34 Margreitter
20 Pennant
22 Jonsson
24 O'Hara
27 Forde
Ref: Phillips
Att: 17,453
MATCH STATS
Possession

Crystal Palace  66% Wolverhampton Wanderers 34%
Shots166
On target 73
Corners 22
Fouls1315
Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:45 Full time
Full Time
The referee signals the end of the game. 90:00 +4:45 Jamie O'Hara fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save made by Julian Speroni. 90:00 +3:42 Stuart O'Keefe comes on in place of Yannick Bolasie. 90:00 +2:26 Glenn Murray fouled by Stephen Ward, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Mile Jedinak. 90:00 +1:59 Centre by Stephen Ward, clearance made by Peter Ramage. 89:51 Foul by Karl Henry on Jonathan Williams, free kick awarded. Mile Jedinak produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick. 88:03 Strike on goal comes in from Mile Jedinak from the free kick. 88:03 Richard Stearman is booked. 87:55 Unfair challenge on Yannick Bolasie by Richard Stearman results in a free kick. 86:18 Dean Moxey takes a shot. Roger Johnson gets a block in. 85:16 Peter Ramage concedes a free kick for a foul on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Jamie O'Hara takes the direct free kick. 84:35 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake challenges Mile Jedinak unfairly and gives away a free kick. Julian Speroni restarts play with the free kick. 83:03 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Jermaine Pennant, Roger Johnson takes a shot. Save by Julian Speroni. 82:07 Carl Ikeme restarts play with the free kick. 82:07 Kagisho Dikgacoi goes into the book. 82:01 Kagisho Dikgacoi challenges Jamie O'Hara unfairly and gives away a free kick. 81:51 Centre by Glenn Murray. 81:19 Yannick Bolasie sends in a cross. 80:35 Wilfried Zaha produces a cross, clearance by Roger Johnson. 78:58 Free kick taken by Julian Speroni.  78:58 Jonathan Williams on for Andre Moritz. 78:58 Jermaine Pennant replaces Kevin Foley. 78:58 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Glenn Murray by Stephen Ward. 78:37 The ball is crossed by Richard Stearman, save by Julian Speroni. 77:30 Mile Jedinak takes a shot. Save made by Carl Ikeme. 74:16 Jamie O'Hara provided the assist for the goal. 74:16 Goal scored
Goal - Sylvan Ebanks-Blake - C Palace 3 - 1 Wolves
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Crystal Palace 3-1 Wolverhampton. 73:50 Yannick Bolasie challenges Richard Stearman unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jamie O'Hara. 72:05 Glenn Murray challenges Christophe Berra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 69:49 Handball decision goes against Mile Jedinak. Carl Ikeme restarts play with the free kick. 68:12 Shot from close range by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake misses to the right of the target. 66:59 Unfair challenge on Roger Johnson by Yannick Bolasie results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 66:18 Glenn Murray is shown a yellow card. 66:14 Roger Johnson is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. 64:03 Foul by Glenn Murray on Christophe Berra, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by Roger Johnson. 62:42 Kagisho Dikgacoi concedes a free kick for a foul on Anthony Forde. Jamie O'Hara takes the free kick. 59:28 Anthony Forde comes on in place of Bakary Sako. 59:28 David Davis leaves the field to be replaced by Jamie O'Hara. 58:47 Mile Jedinak challenges Bakary Sako unfairly and gives away a free kick. Carl Ikeme takes the indirect free kick. 58:27 Centre by Jonathan Parr, clearance made by Christophe Berra. 58:14 Foul by Kevin Foley on Mile Jedinak, free kick awarded. Mile Jedinak takes the indirect free kick. 56:26 The referee blows for offside. Julian Speroni takes the free kick. 55:49 Shot by Yannick Bolasie. Blocked by Roger Johnson. 55:30 The ball is crossed by Wilfried Zaha, clearance by Roger Johnson. 54:04 Glenn Murray gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Davis. Roger Johnson takes the free kick. 53:32 The referee blows for offside. Julian Speroni takes the free kick. 52:25 Glenn Murray is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Karl Henry restarts play with the free kick. 51:22 Goal scored
Goal - Andre Moritz - C Palace 3 - 0 Wolves  Andre Moritz grabs a goal direct from the free kick from outside the box to the top left corner of the goal. Crystal Palace 3-0 Wolverhampton. 50:30 Unfair challenge on Andre Moritz by Roger Johnson results in a free kick. 50:01 Bakary Sako gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mile Jedinak. Jonathan Parr restarts play with the free kick. 50:01 Unfair challenge on Mile Jedinak by Bakary Sako results in a free kick. 46:42 Bakary Sako is caught offside. Free kick taken by Julian Speroni. 45:24 Free kick awarded for a foul by Wilfried Zaha on Stephen Ward. Indirect free kick taken by Carl Ikeme. 45:01 Daniel Gabbidon leaves the field to be replaced by Aaron Martin. 45:01 The referee blows his whistle to start the second half. 45:01 Aaron Martin joins the action as a substitute, replacing Daniel Gabbidon. 45:00 +1:09 Half time
Half Time
The ref blows to end the first period. 44:32 Glenn Murray challenges Christophe Berra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Carl Ikeme restarts play with the free kick. 43:21 Effort from the edge of the area by Glenn Murray goes wide of the left-hand upright. 42:38 Roger Johnson concedes a free kick for a foul on Glenn Murray. Direct free kick taken by Andre Moritz. 39:51 Mile Jedinak produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area and misses left. 39:01 Wilfried Zaha provided the assist for the goal. 39:01 Goal scored Goal - Yannick Bolasie - C Palace 2 - 0 Wolves Yannick Bolasie finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Crystal Palace 2-0 Wolverhampton. 35:28 Centre by Stephen Ward, clearance made by Peter Ramage. 34:40 Centre by Jonathan Parr, save made by Carl Ikeme. 32:45 The ball is sent over by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, save by Julian Speroni. 30:44 Goal scored Goal - Andre Moritz - C Palace 1 - 0 Wolves Andre Moritz grabs a goal direct from the free kick from outside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Crystal Palace 1-0 Wolverhampton. 29:35 Wilfried Zaha fouled by Bakary Sako, the ref awards a free kick. 28:22 Richard Stearman challenges Glenn Murray unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Yannick Bolasie from left wing, Christophe Berra makes a clearance. 27:40 Kevin Doyle concedes a free kick for a foul on Daniel Gabbidon. Julian Speroni takes the free kick. 26:47 Jonathan Parr delivers the ball, Shot by Wilfried Zaha. Roger Johnson gets a block in. 24:10 Foul by Bakary Sako on Wilfried Zaha, free kick awarded. Andre Moritz crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, clearance made by Kevin Doyle. 22:28 Yannick Bolasie takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar. 20:45 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Bakary Sako by Jonathan Parr. Stephen Ward restarts play with the free kick. 19:55 Jonathan Parr delivers the ball, Shot from inside the area by Wilfried Zaha clears the bar. 17:37 A cross is delivered by Wilfried Zaha, clearance by Christophe Berra. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Andre Moritz, Christophe Berra makes a clearance. 16:21 Glenn Murray has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide right of the goal. 15:09 Andre Moritz has an effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the goal. 13:47 Corner taken by Bakary Sako, Mile Jedinak makes a clearance. 12:51 Effort from just outside the area by Yannick Bolasie goes over the target. 11:56 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Yannick Bolasie played to the near post, Kevin Doyle manages to make a clearance. 11:29 Mile Jedinak delivers the ball, Christophe Berra manages to make a clearance. 10:20 The referee blows for offside. Carl Ikeme takes the free kick. 8:26 Andre Moritz fouled by Karl Henry, the ref awards a free kick. Yannick Bolasie restarts play with the free kick. 7:12 Effort from 25 yards by David Davis. Bakary Sako has an effort at goal from outside the area which misses left. 6:18 Andre Moritz challenges Karl Henry unfairly and gives away a free kick. Richard Stearman takes the indirect free kick. 5:17 Dean Moxey is caught offside. Carl Ikeme takes the free kick. 2:59 Karl Henry gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Wilfried Zaha. Andre Moritz takes the direct free kick. 0:00 The referee gets the match started.  
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TEAM NEWS

Crystal Palace remain without Damien Delaney who sits out the final game of his three-match ban, Danny Gabbidon will continue in

his absence.
Jonathan Williams should retain a starting berth but skipper Paddy McCarthy (groin) remains sidelined.
Striker Bjorn Sigurdarson and midfielder David Davis are likely to keep their starting places for Wolves.
Jamie O'Hara is closing in on his first start of the season but Stephen Hunt and George Elokobi remain sidelined.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
•A stunning brace from Wilfried Zaha ensured a 2-1 win for Crystal Palace at Molineux in October, and gave the Eagles their first

points in four league meetings with Wolves.
•Palace last completed the league double over Wolves in the 1995-96 second level league season.
•Both clubs have won eight of their 25 league meetings in south London.
Crystal Palace
•Fourth-placed Crystal Palace, four points outside the top two, have drawn four and lost one of the last five, since beating Brighton

on 1 December, their only maximum in eight.
•The Eagles are the joint top scorers in the Championship, eight points up on this same stage last season, and are hoping to stretch

their unbeaten home league run to 12.
•Goalkeeper Julian Speroni could make his 400th club career appearance.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
•17th-placed Wolves are striving for a first point and first goal in three, having been in free fall since early October, when a run of

three wins in 15 games, nine of which were lost, saw them tumble from the top three.
•Their best form more recently has been on the road, as they are hunting a third win in four away from home.
•Wanderers are looking to gain their first points from the opening league match of a calendar year since 2008, and have won just

once in their last 10 year-opening league matches.