Premier League Season 2011-12 August September October November December 2012 January February March April May pre-season
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Date |
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K.O. |
TV |
HOME |
Score |
FIXTURE |
PREM/ FAC |
Cum Points |
Posn |
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11 |
Sunday |
06 |
November |
2011 |
13:30 |
Sky |
Wolves |
3 |
1 |
Wigan |
Prem |
11 |
13 |
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11-12 |
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November |
2011 |
19:45 |
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Internationals |
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12 |
Saturday |
19 |
November |
2011 |
15:00 |
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Everton |
2 |
1 |
Wolves |
Prem |
11 |
17 |
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13 |
Saturday |
26 |
November |
2011 |
15:00 |
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Chelsea |
3 |
0 |
Wolves |
Prem |
11 |
17 |
Saturday 26th November Chelsea v Wolves v Wigan ko 3pm
Set up to lose. 4-5-1 with returning Fletch stuck with the lone striker role set Chelski up to have every confidence. Ponderous on-the-ball - especially Milijaš who gave away the ball to force Wayne into a terrific save but which led to the corner which gave Terry a free header. Centre backs come up for corners and Terry's renowned for it - so why bother marking him?!? 1 down in the 7th minute. Not closing down let Deano's nephew Daniel Sturridge let fly from distance, while Zubar's lack of speed and the whole defence switching off, with Capt Johnson standing 2 yards off Mata, left us 3 down at half time. Just to compound things Karl picked up a fifth yellow after politely enquiring about a poor lino's decision. A few choruses of The Liquidator and that was about it.
The fans stuck with it though. Mind you about a 100 stuck with it in the food concourse rather than bothering to go back pitchside. Those that did decided to invent a new game. "Let's pretend we've seen a goal = 10 - 9 8....3-2-1" Yeah!!!!!"
In the end it was unclear whether the Wolves fans were singing "what a waste of money" about the fifty quid we paid to see such a poor approach or just about Fernando Torres.
Some commentaries say Wolves had an improved second half - yes Jarvis finally did something and took a shot and Wardy had a go, but by then Chelski had packed up and gone off on holiday. They could even afford to bring "old" Frank Lampard and Ł50m failure Torres on.
Once again Wayne and Wardy were the heroes, it was great having Zubes & Fletch back while Davey Jones again ran a marathon. You could see the frustration in Karl Henry who worked real hard, but once again the ref was lenient on Chelsea cards especially #6 and Cashley for a blatant kick at Zubes - which a decent ref would have given red for.
Chelsea 3 (Terry 7, Sturridge 29, Mata 45) Wolves 0
A much improved performance in the second-half failed to bring Wolves any reward from their trip to Chelsea with the London side hitting three in the opening 45 minutes to put the issue virtually beyond doubt. Injuries and suspensions meant there were four changes to the Wolves starting line-up with George Elokobi, Ronald Zubar, Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher replacing Richard Stearman, Jamie O'Hara, Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle. Elokobi played at left-back with Stephen Ward moving up into the left midfield slot.
Chelsea kicked-off attacking The Shed end of Stamford Bridge and after an early Ward cross was cleared Raul Meireles hit a low shot wide of the far post. But it didn't take Blues long to open their account with home skipper John Terry heading home following Juan Mata's corner after just seven minutes. Mata almost helped himself to a second as he connected with Branislav Ivanovic's low cross but the Spanish midfielder scooped the ball high over the bar. A foul by Meireles on Fletcher gave Nenad Milijaš the opportunity to pump the ball into the Chelsea box but Didier Drogba had dropped back and he headed clear. Dave Edwards was yellow carded for pulling back Meireles before, at the other end, a flying header from Ward went over after Elokobi had crossed from the left. After 29 minutes Daniel Strurridge added a second for Chelsea. He converted from close range after Mata had beaten Zubar and pulled the ball back from the bye-line. Edwards almost reduced the deficit following a Milijaš corner. Christophe Berra nodded the ball back across the six-yard box but Edwards' header was wide. After Karl Henry had been booked for dissent, Mick McCarthy made a tactical change sending Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on to support Fletcher with Milijaš the man making way. Wayne Hennessey made a terrific save when he turned over a fierce effort from Ivanovic but the keeper stood no chance as Mata rifled a shot into the roof of the net after a centre from Ashley Cole seconds from the end of the half.
Half-Time: Chelsea 3 Wolves 0
Five minutes after the resumption, Hennessey made a flying double handed save to claim a half volley from Ramires. In the 53rd minute Ebanks-Blake picked out Ward on the edge of the Chelsea box. He turned and hit a low shot that beat Petr Cech but rolled agonisingly wide of the far post. The move was the prelude to a short spell of Wolves pressure that ended when Sturridge broke clear on the right and raced into the box before hitting a short cross that rolled across the face of goal to Roger Johnson who booted the ball behind. Midway through the half Cech cut out a cross-shot from Fletcher after a Jarvis corner hadn't been cleared by the home defence. In a two minute spell both keepers made double saves. Hennessey was first into action as he beat away Sturridge's angled drive and then pushed out Mata's follow up. Then Jarvis worked his way into the home area before hitting a low shot that Cech couldn't cling onto. Jarvis reclaimed possession and squared a pass to Ward who looked odds on to reduce the deficit only for Cech to throw himself in front of the ball to deflect it away. Anthony Forde made his League debut for Wanderers when he took the place of Zubar and with Frank Lampard already having been sent on for Meireles, the home side used up their substitute quota by switching Fernando Torres and Jose Bosingwa for Drogba and Ivanovic respectively. Six minutes from time Adlene Guedioura was Wolves' final change when he went on for Fletcher. In the dying seconds, Ebanks-Blake almost grabbed a consolation but his glancing header from Jarvis's cross flew inches wide of the post.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic (Bosingwa 77), Cole, Luiz, Romeu, Ramires, Mata, Drogba (Torres 77), Meireles (Lampard 70), Sturridge, Terry (capt). Unused subs: Turnbull, Mikel, Malouda, Kalou. Booking: Terry (88 - time wasting).
Wolves: Hennessey, Zubar (Forde 75), Elokobi, Edwards, Berra, Johnson (capt), Guedioura, Henry, Fletcher (Guedioura 84), Ward, Milijaš (Ebanks-Blake 38), Jarvis. Unused subs: Craddock, Hammill, Doherty, De Vries. Bookings: Edwards (17 - foul), Henry (35 - dissent).
Referee: L. Mason. Attendance: 41,648.
BBC Sport at Stamford Bridge by Owen Phillips
Chelsea avoided a third successive home Premier League defeat with a convincing and desperately needed victory over struggling Wolves. Skipper John Terry headed the hosts ahead early on and close-range strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata meant the match was as good as settled by the interval. And, although the Blues had numerous chances to add to their lead after the break, under-pressure manager Andre-Villas Boas will just be relieved to restore some confidence after a dreadful run. Having lost three of their last five league games - and with two wins from seven in all competitions - anything but a victory was unthinkable for Villas-Boas. The early signs were good for the home side and settled an edgy Stamford Bridge crowd. Raul Meireles sent a bobbling shot across goal and narrowly wide, while man-of-the-match Ramires went even closer when, after robbing the ponderous Nenad Milijas in midfield, his low strike was brilliantly diverted wide by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. From the resulting corner Blues skipper Terry truly settled the nerves, meeting Mata's centre at the front post and sending the ball into the far corner. Terry's programme notes had talked of the need to stand up, take responsibility and get back to winning ways before the title race drifts away. And his goal certainly backed up his words and laid the platform for a vital win against a Wolves side who struggled to retain possession in the face of a bustling and energetic home midfield display. Mata, Ramires and Meireles enjoyed too much freedom and Oriol Romeu, who was making his first league start in place of Frank Lampard, had a remarkably easy afternoon dictating the play from just in front of the back four. Daniel Sturridge scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season, twice as many as Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba combined Mata smashed a shot over the bar following good work by Branislav Ivanovic on the right. But Chelsea were particularly threatening on the left and Meireles and Mata combined superbly to set up the second goal when the Spaniard eluded Ronald Zubar's desperate challenge and picked out Sturridge, who guided the ball home from six yards. Wolves had looked lively enough until that 29th-minute goal. But, although Stephen Ward then sent a header over the bar and the visitors brought on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake for Milijas and went with two up front, their defence was creaking under the incessant home pressure. Sturridge almost added a third when he cut in from the right and unleashed a vicious, left-foot strike that Hennessey untidily palmed away. And Mata did make it three seconds before the interval, turning in Ashley Cole's inviting left-wing cross after Didier Drogba's initial burst on the left flank. To their credit, Wolves responded and enjoyed their best spell just after the break. Steven Fletcher shot just wide and a sustained spell of pressure saw several close calls for the home defence. Chelsea still created the better openings and an out-of-sorts Drogba fired an effort wide and Hennessey produced a fine double save to keep out fierce Sturridge and Mata strikes. Blues keeper Petr Cech pulled off an equally impressive double block to deny Matthew Jarvis and Fletcher. But neither side could find a goal in the second half and Chelsea held on to secure only their third clean sheet in the league this season. However, welcome as the shut-out was, Villas-Boas will know this victory was a necessity and sterner tests are to
come against in-form Newcastle and Manchester City in the coming weeks - not to mention the Champions League showdown with Valencia. Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said: "I think we can (win the title). We have most of the same players (who have won the title before). We have the talent and belief will be the last thing to die with us In my opinion chaos happened. We were exposed a couple of times with group mistakes (in recent games). Now we have to correct them to make sure we are on the right track. It's a good challenge for the team and hopefully we can now respond in this period."
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said: "It was not good enough from us. At half-time I asked them to salvage a bit of pride and self-respect. "Our fans were fabulous. They paid Ł50 and at least we gave them something to cheer. "Although we did not brighten their experience too much, at least we gave them something to cheer about in the second half."
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Premier League
Home Team Score Away Team Time
Chelsea 3-0 Wolves FT
(HT 3-0)
Terry 7
Sturridge 29
Mata 45
Hide team line-ups and match stats
Chelsea
01 Cech
02 Ivanovic (Bosingwa 77)
03 Cole
04 David Luiz
26 Terry yellow card
06 Romeu
07 Ramires
16 Meireles (Lampard 70)
10 Mata
11 Drogba (Torres 77)
23 Sturridge
Substitutes
22 Turnbull,
17 Bosingwa,
08 Lampard,
12 Mikel,
15 Malouda,
09 Torres,
21 Kalou
Wolverhampton
01 Hennessey
03 Elokobi
11 Ward
14 Johnson
16 Berra
23 Zubar (Forde 75)
04 Edwards yellow card
08 Henry yellow card
17 Jarvis
20 Milijas (Ebanks-Blake 38)
10 Fletcher (Guedioura 83)
Substitutes
31 De Vries,
06 Craddock,
30 Doherty,
19 Hammill,
34 Guedioura,
37 Forde,
09 Ebanks-Blake
Ref: MasonAtt: 41,648
CHELSEAWOLVES
Possession
Chelsea 59% Wolves 41%
Attempts on target
Chelsea 11 Wolves 2
Attempts off target
Chelsea 6 Wolves 5
Corners
Chelsea 9 Wolves 2
Fouls
Chelsea 10 Wolves 10
Final Result
Full Time
90:00+2:04 The referee ends the match.
90:00+1:46 Unfair challenge on Oriol Romeu by David Edwards results in a free kick. Juan Mata takes the free kick.
90:00+1:15 Corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata.
90:00+0:38 Fernando Torres delivers the ball, clearance by Roger Johnson. Inswinging corner taken by Juan Mata from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made
by Roger Johnson.
Correction - 90:00+0:04 Matthew Jarvis delivers the ball, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.
90:00+0:04 The ball is sent over by Matthew Jarvis, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.
89:03 Booking John Terry goes into the referee's book.
87:38 Corner taken by Juan Mata from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Stephen Ward.
86:07 Jose Bosingwa sends in a cross, save by Wayne Hennessey.
85:46 Centre by Anthony Forde, clearance made by John Terry.
84:54 Fernando Torres takes a shot. Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
83:35 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on George Elokobi by Fernando Torres. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
82:50 Substitution Adlene Guedioura is brought on as a substitute for Steven Fletcher.
80:49 Unfair challenge on Karl Henry by Oriol Romeu results in a free kick. Karl Henry takes the indirect free kick.
80:00 The ball is crossed by Juan Mata.
78:15 Juan Mata takes a inswinging corner.
77:28 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has shot on goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
76:20 Substitution Fernando Torres comes on in place of Didier Drogba.
76:20 Substitution Jose Bosingwa on for Branislav Ivanovic.
76:20 Effort from inside the area by Daniel Sturridge misses to the right of the goal.
76:12 The ball is delivered by Juan Mata.
Correction - 73:50 Substitution (Wolverhampton) makes a substitution, with Anthony Forde coming on for Ronald Zubar.
Correction - 73:50 Matthew Jarvis takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech. Stephen Ward takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a save.
73:50 Substitution Anthony Forde comes on in place of Ronald Zubar.
73:50 Matthew Jarvis takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech. Steven Fletcher takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.
73:04 Daniel Sturridge sends in a cross, save by Wayne Hennessey.
72:02 Daniel Sturridge takes a shot. Save made by Wayne Hennessey. Juan Mata takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey.
71:25 Daniel Sturridge takes a shot. Save made by Wayne Hennessey.
68:37 Substitution Frank Lampard replaces Raul Meireles.
68:37 A cross is delivered by Matthew Jarvis, Unfair challenge on Ashley Cole by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.
68:07 Unfair challenge on Stephen Ward by Didier Drogba results in a free kick. Stephen Ward takes the direct free kick.
67:18 Daniel Sturridge concedes a free kick for a foul on Ronald Zubar. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
65:23 The ball is sent over by Didier Drogba, clearance by Christophe Berra.
64:21 Ashley Cole gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ronald Zubar. Matthew Jarvis delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, clearance by
Juan Mata. The ball is delivered by Steven Fletcher, save made by Petr Cech.
62:58 Didier Drogba produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses wide left of the target.
59:35 Didier Drogba sends in a cross, David Edwards manages to make a clearance.
58:26 A cross is delivered by Daniel Sturridge, clearance by Roger Johnson. Juan Mata takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.
56:57 The ball is delivered by Stephen Ward, save by Petr Cech.
56:41 The ball is crossed by Karl Henry.
56:12 Corner taken right-footed by Matthew Jarvis.
53:53 Didier Drogba gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Roger Johnson. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
52:21 Stephen Ward produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
50:05 Ramires has an effort at goal from 30 yards. Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
49:28 Ramires produces a cross, Roger Johnson manages to make a clearance.
45:01 The referee starts the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:01 The match has reached half-time.
45:00+1:33 Juan Mata produces a cross, George Elokobi makes a clearance.
45:00+0:58 David Edwards challenges Raul Meireles unfairly and gives away a free kick. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.
Correction - 44:52 Ashley Cole provided the assist for the goal.
Correction - 44:52 GOAL - Juan MataChelsea 3 - 0 Wolverhampton Juan Mata scores a goal from deep inside the penalty box high into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 3-0
Wolverhampton.
44:52 The assist for the goal came from Ashley Cole.
44:52 GOAL - Juan MataChelsea 3 - 0 Wolverhampton Juan Mata fires in a goal from inside the area high into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 3-0 Wolverhampton.
Correction - 44:51 The ball is delivered by Ashley Cole,
44:51 Ashley Cole sends in a cross,
42:56 Oriol Romeu concedes a free kick for a foul on Ronald Zubar. Ronald Zubar takes the indirect free kick.
42:10 Ashley Cole has an effort at goal from outside the box which misses left.
40:57 Raul Meireles takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey.
40:23 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles from the left by-line, clearance made by Karl Henry.
39:22 Daniel Sturridge takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey. Juan Mata decides to take the corner short. Juan Mata produces a cross.
37:30 Substitution Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is brought on as a substitute for Nenad Milijas.
34:03 Juan Mata crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save by Wayne Hennessey.
34:03 Booking The referee shows Karl Henry a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
33:55 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ramires by Karl Henry.
32:34 Didier Drogba fouled by Christophe Berra, the ref awards a free kick. Didier Drogba produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.
31:35 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Stephen Ward from the left by-line, David Edwards has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the
target.
Correction - 28:56 The assist for the goal came from Juan Mata.
Correction - 28:56 GOAL - Daniel SturridgeChelsea 2 - 0 Wolverhampton Daniel Sturridge scores a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 2-0
Wolverhampton.
28:56 Assist by Juan Mata.
28:56 GOAL - Daniel SturridgeChelsea 2 - 0 Wolverhampton Daniel Sturridge fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 2-0
Wolverhampton.
Correction - 28:55 The ball is crossed by Juan Mata,
28:55 Juan Mata delivers the ball,
26:15 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Christophe Berra by Didier Drogba. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
25:08 Ashley Cole produces a cross, George Elokobi makes a clearance. Juan Mata takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Stephen Ward manages to make a clearance.
22:21 The ball is delivered by Matthew Jarvis, Header from deep inside the area by Stephen Ward goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
20:19 Unfair challenge on Ashley Cole by Ronald Zubar results in a free kick. Juan Mata takes the indirect free kick.
17:51 The assistant referee signals for offside against Didier Drogba. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
16:18 Branislav Ivanovic takes the free kick.
16:18 Booking Booking for David Edwards.
16:07 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ramires by David Edwards.
Correction - 15:16 Steven Fletcher fouled by Oriol Romeu, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Nenad Milijas.
15:16 Steven Fletcher fouled by Oriol Romeu, the ref awards a free kick. Nenad Milijas takes the direct free kick.
13:41 David Edwards handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Oriol Romeu takes the indirect free kick.
10:59 David Edwards concedes a free kick for a foul on Ashley Cole. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.
10:09 The ball is sent over by Matthew Jarvis.
9:29 The ball is crossed by Branislav Ivanovic, Effort on goal by Juan Mata from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.
9:06 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ramires by Nenad Milijas. Raul Meireles takes the direct free kick.
6:10 Assist on the goal came from Juan Mata.
6:10 GOAL - John TerryChelsea 1 - 0 Wolverhampton John Terry finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Chelsea 1-0 Wolverhampton.
5:41 Ramires takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey. Corner taken by Juan Mata,
5:14 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Christophe Berra by Juan Mata. Christophe Berra takes the free kick.
2:44 George Elokobi challenges Daniel Sturridge unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Juan Mata from right wing, save by Wayne Hennessey.
1:17 Shot from outside the box by Raul Meireles misses to the left of the goal.
0:22 Stephen Ward produces a cross, clearance by John Terry.
0:00 The ref blows the whistle to start the match.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
Chelsea v Wolverhampton
Preview by John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Saturday, 26 November
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea's Ashley Cole has been passed fit after missing the midweek defeat by Bayer Leverkusen.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas has no further injury concerns apart from long-term absentee Michael Essien.
Wolves are without the key midfield duo of Jamie O'Hara and Stephen Hunt through suspension.
Right-back Richard Stearman is ruled out with a broken wrist so Ronald Zubar is expected to come into the side for his first start in nine months.
MATCH PREVIEW
It goes without saying that this is a must-win game for Chelsea.
What must have seemed like a straight-forward fixture at the start of the season now looks like a tricky one for beleaguered boss Andre Villas-Boas.
Continue reading the main story
If Mick McCarthy's side can hold out for the first half hour you get the sense the Stamford Bridge faithful could get restless
His side have made the worst start to a campaign since Roman Abramovich took over in 2003 and the young Portuguese manager is under a fierce spotlight.
Four defeats in their last seven league games, plus the midweek Champions League loss against Bayer Leverkusen, has backed him into a corner and he needs to get his side back
on track.
He has to restore faith with the supporters, and key to that is getting off to a good start against Wolves. If Mick McCarthy's side can hold out for the first half hour you get the
sense the Stamford Bridge faithful could get restless.
Despite losing at Everton last week, Wolves defended solidly at Goodison Park and they seem to certain to set themselves up in a 4-5-1 formation in a bid to try and frustrate and
throttle Chelsea.
This is when Villas-Boas needs his senior players like John Terry, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech to stand up and be counted. If they don't their season will really fall of the edge like it
did this time last season following Ray Wilkins' departure from the club.
He surely has to pick his strongest team and abandon his rotation policy. That should mean a start for young forward Daniel Sturridge, who has scored more league goals this
season than Drogba, Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka combined.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Wolves stunned Chelsea with a 1-0 win at home in January - their first victory over the Blues in six attempts in the Premier League.
They have met 101 times, with 38 wins to Wolves and 37 to Chelsea. There have been 26 draws.
Wolves last won at Stamford Bridge in March 1979 when they triumphed 2-1 in a top-flight clash in the old Division One.
Chelsea
Chelsea have lost back-to-back home games for the first time since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 and for the first time since April to May 2002.
They have lost four of their first 12 league matches for the first time since 2000.
The Blues have conceded the joint-most goals (six), along with Wigan and Blackburn, in the last 10 minutes of league matches this season.
Wolves
Striker Kevin Doyle has only had one shot in his last three games.
Wolves' penalty at Goodison Park against Everton was their only shot on target.
They have not won away from home in the league since a 2-1 win at Blackburn on the opening day of the season.
Saturday 19th November Everton 2 Wolves 1 ko 3pm
Meanwhlie - at Watford - Kights started the scoring in the 2-0 win over Pompey - and he's extended his stay
Stears injured, Hunt & O'Hara suspended and Sammy Vokes on loan; who'll play against Chelski. Will Fletch be risked? another dreary performance - not teeth in attack apart from the odd Dave Edwards surge.
WWFC saw it like this
Everton 2 (Jagielka 44, Baines-pen 83) Wolves 1 (Hunt-pen 37)
A controversial penalty in the dying minutes condemned Wolves to defeat against Everton, this after Mick McCarthy's men had taken the lead at Goodison Park, also from the spot. Wolves kicked-off defending the half of Goodison Park that housed the travelling support. There was just one change to the starting X1 with Nenad Milijaš replacing Adlene Guedioura. Wayne Hennessey cu
t out a Royston Drenthe cross at the near post but it was an otherwise eventless opening quarter-of-an-hour. The first real chance of the game fell to Louis Saha after Tim Cahill had nodded Seamus Coleman's cross into his path. The striker hit his shot into the floor but Hennessey reacted superbly to tip the ball over the bar. David Edwards was hurt after a challenge by Leon Osman. The midfielder landed awkwardly on his shoulder but he was able to continue after treatment. On 20 minutes Richard Stearman was penalised for obstructing Leighton Baines. Saha's free-kick was cleared upfield to Kevin Doyle whose charge towards goal was halted by Phil Jagielka at the expense of giving Wolves their first corner of the game. Jamie O'Hara's kick was headed clear. Baines took the ball to the by-line before delivering a low centre that was knocked away by Hennessey with Roger Johnson completing the clearance. The Wolves skipper was then in the right place to block Saha's shot on the turn in Everton's next attack. The visitors moved ahead in the 37th minute after Marouane Fellaini had clipped Edwards just inside the Everton box. Stephen Hunt took the spot kick and he made no mistake blasting the ball straight down the middle as Tim Howard dived to his left. But it took the Merseysiders just seven minutes to pull level. Stearman fouled Cahill and when Baines lifted the free-kick into the box, Jagielka charged in to plant a header past Hennessey. From the restart Drenthe went onto a run into the Wolves box but as he was about to shoot Christophe Berra got back to make a superb tackle. Deep into stoppage time Tony Hibbert's free-kick ran to Fellaini and his shot drew a fine save from Hennessey. But the keeper couldn't hold on to the ball and there were loud appeals for a penalty after Karl Henry appeared to pull back Cahill.
Half-Time: Everton 1 Wolves 1
Hennessey made a good challenge with his legs to clear from Baines who had broken into the left of the Wolves area, and then Fellaini shot high over the bar from 20-yards out. Disaster struck for Stearman in the 56th minute after he had fallen from a heavy mid-air challenge by Cahill. The defender looked to be in agony and the physio immediately signalled that he would be unable to continue. In obvious distress, he was eventually helped off with a wrist injury to be replaced by George Elokobi. The Cameroon defender moved into the left-back slot with Stephen Ward moving across to take Stearman's place. With 20 minutes remaining the combined efforts of Ward and Hennessey thwarted Saha who had chested down a Coleman cross and fired at goal from close in. Ward threw himself in front of the ball and Hennessey quickly snapped up the loose ball. Berra cut out Drenthe's pull back as Everton upped the pressure, and Hunt went into the book for a foul on Fellaini. Howard had to dive low in his six-yard box to gather Edward's driven centre before Matt Jarvis was sent on in place of Milijaš. Seven minutes from time the home side took what was to be a winning lead. There didn't seem to be much contact as Saha and Ward went for a Baines cross but the Everton man went down and the referee awarded the spot kick with Baines sending Hennessey the wrong way to the delight of the home supporters. Stephen Fletcher replaced Edwards for the last few minutes and he did get in one low long-range shot but it drifted well wide. Then there was a chance for O'Hara in stoppage time with a free-kick after Baines had earned himself a yellow card for felling Hunt a couple of yards outside the box. O'Hara curled the ball over the wall but narrowly wide of the far post.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka (capt), Saha (Stracqualursi 90+4), Drenthe (Bilyaletdinov 85), Cahill (Vellios 73), Osman, Coleman, Felaini. Unused subs: Mucha, Gueye, Barkley, Mustafi. Booking: Baines (90+1 foul).
Wolves: Hennessey, Stearman (Elokobi 59), Ward, Edwards (Fletcher 85), Berra, Johnson (capt), Milijaš (Jarvis 80), Henry, Doyle, O'Hara, Hunt. Unused subs: Elokobi, Ebanks-Blake, De Vries, Guedioura. Booking: Hunt (72 - foul).
Referee: J. Moss. Attendance: 33,593.
and Mick's views.....
Boss Mick McCarthy was left both "disappointed and angry" after what he claimed was a "soft" penalty decision for Everton's late winner at Goodison Park this afternoon. Stephen Ward was adjudged to have pushed Louis Saha in the box seven minutes from time allowing Leighton Baines to score the winner with Phil Jagielka having earlier cancelled out Stephen Hunt's spot kick opener for Wolves.
Whilst admitting Everton should have had a penalty in the first half, and that it wasn't the most flowing of Wolves' performances, the boss felt his team had done enough from a hard-fought contest in which neither player was over-exerted in making saves. "I'm actually delighted with the way we played away from home against Everton," said the boss. "When we got into the game in the first half and got the goal we deserved it and were playing well. I'm disappointed we conceded from the free kick because having scored we were in charge at that point. And whilst there haven't been too many chances at either end I do think it's as soft a penalty as you are ever likely to see which has cost us. There was a push in Saha's back but if Wardy was trying to nick his wallet he wouldn't have gone down so easy. There weren't many chances other than that. Drenthe did get in behind after barging Wardy in the back and Wardy made a great block on the line but chances were few and far between. So I'm more than disappointed with that, I'm pretty angry actually, because I thought we'd done enough to get something out of the game. It was a soft penalty and a big decision and that came after a corner which they shouldn't have had. But they should have had a penalty in the first half when Henry brought Cahill down. Wayne has caught a lot of crosses which at 6ft 7 we would expect him to but he's not had many saves to make apart from one from Saha in the first half, and neither has their goalkeeper. We didn't pepper their goal but neither did they pepper ours. They are the home side and you would expect them to have more of the play and the better of it. So I think a draw would have been a fair result."
On the display as a whole the boss admitted Wolves didn't produce the kind of football to overly trouble Everton but that the team were generally solid and disciplined against a team expected to set the tempo. "I'm alright with that performance and am not going to be giving out to the lads," he added. "As an away side playing at Everton I think we have played well Maybe a few weeks ago I might have been frustrated at some of the things we were doing but we played well as an away team. We didn't really light up the sky for everybody with flowing football and create plenty of chances but away from home I'm not sure that's going to happen too much I thought we'd done enough to keep an unbeaten run going but ultimately a soft penalty has cost us." Fifth bookings of the season for Stephen Hunt and Jamie O'Hara mean they will serve a one-game suspension against Chelsea next weekend.And Wolves will also be missing Richard Stearman, who painfully exited the action early in the second half with what is expected to be a break following an aerial challenge with Tim Cahill.
"Stears has gone off with a suspected broken wrist or arm," said the boss. "He's gone off to have it checked out and I don't know any more at the moment. It's not a nice one for anyone but Stears has been playing well and has had a good season so far and we're all really disappointed for him. I don't think Cahill could have won the ball but he's a good, honest lad and I've no problem with him. They are both competitive players and Cahill has gone in to compete for it like he always does and Stears has come off worse. I thought Wardy was brilliant after. He went in at right back and played just as well as at left back and didn't deserve that decision at the end. It's difficult for George to come into at left back having not played for a while but it didn't disrupt us. It had no bearing on the penalty decision at all."
the Beeb said
Leighton Baines's late penalty gave Everton their second league win at home this season at the expense of Wolves. Stephen Hunt gave the visitors the lead from the spot after midfielder Marouane Fellaini was judged to have fouled David Edwards just inside the area. Phil Jagielka equalised for Everton when he headed in Baines's free-kick from the left. Baines secured victory from the spot after Stephen Ward was penalised for a push on Louis Saha in the box. The challenge that brought referee Jon Moss's game-changing decision in the 83rd minute appeared nothing more than a gentle nudge, but if the visitors felt aggrieved, Everton fans could point to an incident in the first half when Karl Henry's tug on Tim Cahill did not result in a penalty. Toffees boss David Moyes will care little for the earlier decision having seen his side move away from the Premier League relegation zone and into 13th place. And the victory may have placated some of the anger shown at the pre-match protest by supporters' group Blue Union - numbering about 250 according to Merseyside Police - calling for owner Bill Kenwright to sell the club. Whatever the elation at the final whistle, there had been groans among the home support when their side went behind to a penalty shortly before half-time. On that occasion, referee Moss's decision was not disputed, Fellaini being penalised for a trip on Edwards and Hunt calmly stepping up to score his second league goal of the season. Seven minutes later, Everton were level through Jagielka, playing despite a broken toe. Baines, who had provided the home side's most reliable delivery, whipped in a free-kick from the left which was powerfully converted by his England team-mate. Then came controversy late in the first period, when Cahill appeared to have been tugged back by Henry as the Everton man tried to follow up Fellaini's shot. The Toffees players and home fans called for a penalty, but their pleas were ignored. The first 20 minutes of the second half was as dour as the first 20 of the opening half and Everton's fans voiced their frustrations as their team continually gave away possession. When the home side did get inside the area they were first denied by keeper Wayne Hennessey, who closed down Saha, and then Ward, who produced a stunning block to prevent Cahill from scoring from two yards out. But with seven minutes remaining, Everton broke Wolves's resistance when Baines tucked in from 12 yards after Moss had pointed to the spot. Wolves were dealt another blow after it was revealed that defender Richard Stearman, substituted after 58 minutes, had suffered a suspected broken hand.
Everton manager David Moyes:
"The points were all-important today. The way we went about it and how we got there was relevant but not as relevant as getting the three points and I think we deserved it in the end. I thought we played well in the first half; we got some crosses in and some were good and some weren't and we got the ball in the box and didn't finish it off. Then before we knew it we had given away a penalty and I thought 'here we go again' but all credit to the lads for getting a goal back before half-time. That was really vital. We needed to find a goal from somewhere and we looked like we were huffing and puffing. We ended up winning the game with two set-pieces: a free-kick and a penalty."
Saturday, 19 November 2011 Premier League
Everton 2-1 Wolves FT
(HT 1-1)
Jagielka 44 Hunt (pen) 37
Baines (pen) 83
Everton
24 Howard
02 Hibbert
03 Bainesyellow card
05 Heitinga
06 Jagielka
23 Coleman
10 Drenthe (Bilyaletdinov 85)
17 Cahill (Vellios 73)
21 Osman
25 Fellaini
08 Saha (Stracqualursi 90+4)
Substitutes
01 Mucha,
30 Mustafi,
07 Bilyaletdinov,
20 Barkley,
11 Stracqualursi,
19 Gueye,
27 Vellios
Wolverhampton
01 Hennessey
05 Stearman (Elokobi 58)
11 Ward
14 Johnson
16 Berra
04 Edwards (Fletcher 86)
08 Henryyellow card
12 Huntyellow card
20 Milijas (Jarvis 80)
24 O'Harayellow card
29 Doyle
Substitutes
31 De Vries,
03 Elokobi,
06 Craddock,
17 Jarvis,
34 Guedioura,
09 Ebanks-Blake,
10 Fletcher
Ref: MossAtt: 33,953
TEAM NEWS
Everton defender Phil Jagielka will have an injection in his broken toe in a bid to be available.
Midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who signed a new deal with the club on Thursday, returns after missing the defeat by Newcastle through suspension.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from for the trip to Goodison Park.
Right-back Kevin Foley is the only absentee as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
MATCH PREVIEW
What would you put into a list of the most overused football clichés? Would it be "Game of two halves" or perhaps "There are no easy games in the Premier League"?
One of the newest of recent times is "Everton always start the season slowly". Granted, it's probably only slipped into football parlance in the last few years, but there's little doubt
it's become a commonly accepted addition to the list.
Continue reading the main story
EVERTON
WOLVES
Possession
Everton 61% Wolves 39% (51% at half time)
Attempts on target
Everton 9
Wolves 1
Attempts off target
Everton 4
Wolves 3
Corners
Everton 9
Wolves 1
Fouls
Everton 14
Wolves 13
Show latest live text only
Result
Full Time
90:00+5:22 The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
90:00+4:27 Matthew Jarvis sends in a cross, clearance made by Johnny Heitinga.
90:00+3:41 Substitution (Everton) makes a substitution, with Denis Stracqualursi coming on for Louis Saha.
90:00+3:28 Shot from just outside the box by Louis Saha misses to the right of the target.
90:00+0:49 Jamie O'Hara has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.
90:00+0:49 Booking The referee shows Leighton Baines a yellow card.
90:00+0:44 Unfair challenge on Stephen Hunt by Leighton Baines results in a free kick.
90:00+0:03 Unfair challenge on Matthew Jarvis by Tony Hibbert results in a free kick. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
40:28 Kevin Doyle challenges Johnny Heitinga unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Leighton Baines.
39:35 Unfair challenge on Seamus Coleman by Stephen Ward results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.
38:54 Stephen Ward delivers the ball, blocked by Johnny Heitinga.
37:33 Nenad Milijas fouled by Marouane Fellaini, the ref awards a free kick. Christophe Berra takes the free kick.
36:32 Assist on the goal came from David Edwards.
36:32 GOAL - Stephen Hunt Everton 0 - 1 Wolverhampton Power penalty scored by Stephen Hunt. Everton 0-1 Wolverhampton.
35:40 Unfair challenge on David Edwards by Marouane Fellaini results in a Penalty.
34:52 Louis Saha takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson.
34:00 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Louis Saha by Nenad Milijas. Johnny Heitinga restarts play with the free kick.
32:08 Royston Drenthe produces a cross, Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
31:17 Royston Drenthe delivers the ball, Christophe Berra makes a clearance.
30:06 Jamie O'Hara takes a shot from 35 yards and went wide right of the target.
29:29 Unfair challenge on Stephen Ward by Seamus Coleman results in a free kick. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
29:02 Richard Stearman fouled by Tim Cahill, the ref awards a free kick. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
27:56 Corner taken left-footed by Leighton Baines, Richard Stearman manages to make a clearance.
27:42 Louis Saha takes a shot. Roger Johnson gets a block in.
27:26 The ball is crossed by Seamus Coleman, David Edwards manages to make a clearance.
26:47 Tony Hibbert delivers the ball, save by Wayne Hennessey.
26:40 Centre by Leon Osman, Stephen Ward makes a clearance.
25:39 Tony Hibbert delivers the ball, Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
24:29 Louis Saha crosses the ball.
22:52 Leighton Baines takes a outswinging corner.
22:31 The ball is crossed by Leighton Baines, save made by Wayne Hennessey.
21:18 The ball is crossed by Nenad Milijas, Leon Osman manages to make a clearance.
20:49 Outswinging corner taken by Jamie O'Hara, Tim Cahill manages to make a clearance.
20:33 Royston Drenthe delivers the ball, clearance by Christophe Berra.
19:39 Leighton Baines fouled by Richard Stearman, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Royston Drenthe.
18:24 Royston Drenthe crosses the ball, save by Wayne Hennessey.
16:21 Unfair challenge on David Edwards by Royston Drenthe results in a free kick. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
15:49 Corner taken by Royston Drenthe from the right by-line, Roger Johnson manages to make a clearance.
15:23 Louis Saha takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey.
14:44 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie O'Hara by Leighton Baines. Free kick taken by Jamie O'Hara.
14:37 The ball is delivered by Royston Drenthe, Stephen Ward makes a clearance.
14:06 Effort on goal by Jamie O'Hara from 25 yards. Blocked by Phil Jagielka.
11:48 Royston Drenthe crosses the ball, save made by Wayne Hennessey.
10:08 Roger Johnson fouled by Tim Cahill, the ref awards a free kick. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
9:13 The ball is swung over by Tony Hibbert, clearance by Christophe Berra.
8:35 The ball is swung over by Louis Saha, Roger Johnson makes a clearance.
5:21 Stephen Hunt challenges Tony Hibbert unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Tim Howard.
4:10 Seamus Coleman produces a cross.
2:30 Free kick awarded for a foul by Tim Cahill on Karl Henry. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
0:57 Seamus Coleman takes a shot. Blocked by Christophe Berra.
0:00 The ref blows the whistle to start the match.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
Everton's recent traditions suggest that they will soon embark on a lengthy run of results that will ultimately propel them into European contention. Wolves - you have been
warned
Clichés, though, are invariably factually accurate. In the last two campaigns Everton had just 16 points from their first 15 games, three years ago it was nine from their opening
nine. In all three instances they soon rallied to accumulate sufficient points in the remainder of the season for at least a top-eight finish.
The curse has struck again and a paltry return of just 10 points in their opening 10 matches has left them just above the drop zone.
For many clubs this would lead to feelings of alarm and anxiety, but as Everton seem to demonstrate yearly, this is just the way they do things.
Their powers of recovery are exceptional. Their recent traditions suggest they will soon embark on a lengthy run of results that will ultimately propel them into European
contention. Wolves - you have been warned.
The visitors arrive above Everton in the table, having finally ended an eight-game winless run. They'll be keen to avoid becoming the side that acts as Everton's catalyst, as the
Blues are due to begin their annual salvage operation.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Three of the last four games between the two sides have ended in a draw - Everton won the last meeting 3-0 in April.
Wolves have not beaten Everton since a 1-0 win at Molineux in May 2004.
The Toffees have not lost to Wolves at Goodison Park since a 3-2 defeat in September 1979 - Andy Gray, who would later join Everton, scored on his debut for Wolves that
day.
All four of the goals Wolves have scored in the Premier League against Everton have been netted in the second half.
Everton
Everton have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 league and cup games - their only shut-out this season came in a 1-0 win at Blackburn, who missed two penalties.
The Toffees have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions.
They have lost six of seven league games this season when they conceded the opening goal.
Their tally of 10 points from their first 10 league games is their worst since 2005-06 when they had seven at the same stage.
Everton's only home league victory this season was against bottom-of-the-table Wigan.
Leon Osman is in line to make his 200th Premier League start for Everton.
Wolves
Wolves' 3-1 win against Wigan was the only time they have scored more than two goals in a Premier League game this season.
They have not won away from home in the league since a 2-1 win at Blackburn on the opening day of the season.
Wolves have won just one of seven Premier League games on Merseyside - last December's 1-0 victory against Liverpool.
Matt Jarvis is one away from 25 league goals for the club.
Christophe Berra could make his 100th appearance for Wolves.
Sunday 6th November Wolves 3 (O'Hara 31, Edwards 55, Ward 66) Wigan Athletic 1 (Watson-pen 41) ko 13:30 live on Sky
A useful breather from the pressure as Wolves slid towards the bottom but not an inspiring performance. Wigan had control of the match in the first half and but for some wayward shooting could have put Wolves to the sword. Mind you, we should have been 1 up inside 5 minutes as Hunt was tripped, tried to stay and lost the chance, but ref Probert bottled it not wanting to red card Wigan’s man of the mathc and goalkeeper Al Habsi. One lesson learned though - get half a dozen players in the box and you can pick up the rebounds - twice as Dave Edwards and Wardy capitalised on one save to many by Habsi. The formation with Dave Edwards and Adlene Guedioura also looked stronger, although Adklene was replaced by Jarvis at half time - but the set up enabled Karl Henry to power forward and he made the scond gaol for Dave Edwards. Many more nervouse matches ahead I fear unless we get a decent centre back in the window. At least Doyler’s banned from the Irish qualifier match so shouldn’t pick up an injury.
Wolves had to work hard but in the end they deserved the three points they took from struggling Wigan who had keeper Ali Al Habsi to thank for restricting the home tally to three. Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side with Steven Fletcher having recovered from injury named as a substitute.
After just three minutes a Kevin Doyle flick fell to Dave Edwards who hit a shot from the edge of the box that drew a fine diving save from Al Habsi. Then Wolves had two penalty claims rejected within the space of a few seconds. Stephen Hunt ran onto another Doyle short ball. The midfielder almost went down as he attempted to round Al Habsi but he regained his balance and lifted the ball into the heart of the goalmouth where it was cleared for a corner. Jamie O'Hara's flag-kick was helped on by to the back post where Antolin Alcaraz appeared to handle. The Wolves players and the fans in the Jack Harris Stand shouted for a spot kick but the referee shook his head. Edwards was only just wide with a header following a cross from Hunt and then the first major Wigan threat came from Victor Moses whose centre flashed dangerously across the face of Wayne Hennessey's goal. After 20 minutes, when the home defence failed to clear, Moses slipped a short pass through to Mohamed Diame. He flicked the ball towards goal and it took a desperate challenge from Richard Stearman to deny Di Santo a shooting opportunity. Adlene Guedioura then lost possession to Diame. He set up Hugo Rodallega who wasted a good chance by shooting tamely at Hennessey. Alcaraz was then booked for a heavy challenge on Doyle. Christophe Berra had to race across to clear from Di Santo after Wigan broke from a heavy Wolves attack then, Di Santo had played Rodallego clean through, the Columbian prodded the ball the wrong side of the post when he just had the keeper to beat. The miss proved costly for Wigan as Wolves moved into a 31st minute lead just second later. Credit must go to Doyle for some sublime work on the right before he fired in a low cross that O'Hara rifled into the net. Wigan drew level four minutes before the break after Emmerson Boyce was barged off the ball by Hunt in the home area. Hennessey saved Ben Watson's penalty but the loose ball bounced in front of the midfielder who made no mistake. Al Habsi twice saved from O'Hara as Wolves looked to regain the advantage. The keeper punched away O'Hara's free-kick and did likewise when the former Spurs man smashed the rebound back towards goal. In first-half stoppage time, Al Habsi failed to hold on to Hunt's low drive but the keeper just managed to claim the ball as O'Hara steamed in.
Half-Time: Wolves 1 Wigan 1
Matt Jarvis replaced Guedioura at the start of the new half but the early chances fell to Wigan with Moses hitting a fierce drive over the near angle, and then Di Santo was a foot wide with a shot on the turn from 18-yards. On 55 minutes Edwards grabbed Wolves' second goal. Jarvis laid the ball off for Karl Henry and he powered into the area before pulling the back into the six-yard box. Hunt's shot was pushed out by Al Habsi and when the ball fell to O'Hara he was denied by an incredible save from the keeper. But Al Habsi must have been cursing his luck as Edwards got to the loose ball first and thumped it into the net. Stearman went on a surging run and was deep in the Wigan half when the ball bounced somewhat unkindly for him. Moses took possession and was advancing towards the Wolves area when he lost out in a challenge from Stearman who had vigorously chased back. Midway through the half Wolves moved 3-1 to the good. A sweeping crossfield pass from Henry picked out Jarvis who put played a one-two with Stephen Ward who cleverly back heeled the ball back to the winger. Jarvis hit a low cross that and Edwards ran in but his shot hit a defender. Then O'Hara, once again, saw the keeper pull off another fine save. But Ward made no mistake as he took advantage of the visiting defence's failure to clear their lines by forcing the ball home. Berra almost got a fourth, and his first for the club, when he got in a powerful header as he ran onto O'Hara's free-kick only for Al Habsi to pull off an incredible save. Wigan substitute Albert Crusat had an angled drive punched out by Hennessey, then Di Santo beat two men on a run through the middle but his final effort ran straight to the Wolves keeper. Hunt and O'Hara went into the book for fouls on Boyce and Figueroa respectively, and then Hennessey had to push out an over the shoulder flick from Crusat.
Wolves: Hennessey, Stearman, Ward, Edwards, Berra, Johnson (capt), Guedioura (Jarvis 45), Henry, Doyle, O'Hara (Milijaš 83), Hunt. Unused subs: Elokobi, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher, Hammill, De Vries. Bookings: Hunt (77 - foul), O'Hara (80 - foul).
Wigan: Al Habsi, Gohouri, Alcaraz (capt), Watson (Crusat 65), De Santo, Moses, Jones (McArthur 78), Rodallega (Sammon 78), Diame, Boyce, Figueroa. Unused subs: McCarthy, Gomez, Pollitt, Lopez. Booking: Alcaraz (26 - foul).
Referee: L. Probert. Attendance: 23,536.
Wolverhampton 3 - 1 Wigan
By Phil Dawkes
BBC Sport
Wolves have moved up to 13th place in the table with their victory. Wolves ended a run of eight games without victory with a crucial win over fellow strugglers Wigan. It was the home side who took the lead in the 31st minute when Jamie O'Hara slotted home a Kevin Doyle cross. But Ben Watson levelled for Wigan, hammering in a rebound after Wayne Hennessey saved his initial penalty, awarded for a block on Emmerson Boyce. David Edwards restored Wolves' lead from close range and Stephen Ward's finish sealed the win. The victory is a massive boost for Wolves, lifting them away from the relegation zone and up to 13th with 11 points from the same number of games. But Wigan remain bottom of the table and deep in trouble having set a new club record of eight straight defeats in the Premier League. No other side in the competition's history has gone on such a run and avoided relegation. Despite the woeful form of both these sides heading into the game, only the latter made one unenforced change - Franco Di Santo replacing Albert Crusat. You suspect both teams have greater potential than they have shown so far but it is clear to see why they have struggled. This was a game marred by little respect for possession, nervous, hesitant defending and wastefulness in the final third. Having received criticism from what he called "mindless idiots" among the Wolves support recently, manager Mick McCarthy had called on his players to get the Molineux faithful on their side from the off. They did their best to deliver, twice capitalising on hesitancy in the Wigan defence to fashion decent chances.However, David Edwards's 20-yard strike was saved by Ali Al-Habsi and then, minutes later, Stephen Hunt spurned a good opportunity after having skipped past a challenge from the Latics keeper that could have resulted in a penalty had the winger gone to ground instead. Such wastefulness was nothing in comparison to that practised by Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega at the other end. The Colombian first headed a Victor Moses cross horribly wide - but was spared his blushes somewhat by an assistant referee's flag - before then firing straight at Hennessey from inside the box after Karl Henry had been dispossessed in midfield. Rodallega bested both of those on the half-hour though when he was found in the box by a superb long-range floated pass from Di Santo but side-footed wide of goal with just the keeper to beat. The miss would only prove more costly just 35 seconds later as Wolves swept down the other end and Doyle crossed for O'Hara to slot home the opener. However, Wolves had not suggested a clean-sheet was in the offing - and so it proved 10 minutes later when Boyce's run was halted by the shoulder of Hunt in the box for a penalty. Watson's initial effort was saved by Hennessey but the rebound fell kindly to the midfielder to hammer into the largely unguarded net. If Wigan just shaded the first half, the second 45 minutes belonged to Wolves. In the 55th minute, they reclaimed the lead when Edwards was on hand to finish after Al-Habsi had shown great athleticism to save efforts from both Hunt and O'Hara. Shortly after, the home side took complete control as Ward finished on the follow-up after Al-Habsi saved O'Hara's initial shot. Wigan's efforts to get back into the game summed up their afternoon - and arguably their season - as Steve Gohouri was denied by Hennessey with a header from a corner before Mohamed Diame fired horribly wide from 12 yards.
Wolverhampton
01 Hennessey
05 Stearman
11 Ward
14 Johnson
16 Berra
04 Edwards
08 Henry
12 Huntyellow card
24 O'Harayellow card (Milijas 83)
34 Guedioura (Jarvis 46)
29 Doyle
Substitutes
31 De Vries,
03 Elokobi,
17 Jarvis,
19 Hammill,
20 Milijas,
09 Ebanks-Blake,
10 Fletcher
Wigan
26 Al Habsi
02 Gohouri
03 Alcarazyellow card
17 Boyce
31 Figueroa
08 Watson (Crusat 65)
11 Moses
19 Jones (McArthur 78)
21 Diame
09 Di Santo
20 Rodallega (Sammon 77)
Substitutes
12 Pollitt,
24 Lopez,
04 McCarthy,
07 Crusat,
14 Gomez,
16 McArthur,
18 Sammon
Ref: ProbertAtt: 2,353
WOLVES
WIGAN
Possession
Wolves 56%
Wigan 44%
Attempts on target
Wolves 12
Wigan 7
Attempts off target
Wolves 1
Wigan 6
Corners
Wolves 5
Wigan 6
Fouls
Wolves 11
Wigan 13
Show latest live text only
Result
Full Time
90:00+4:06 The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00+3:08 Unfair challenge on Karl Henry by Emmerson Boyce results in a free kick. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+2:36 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Victor Moses, Karl Henry manages to make a clearance.
88:57 Nenad Milijas decides to take a short corner.
88:05 Mohamed Diame has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
86:25 Kevin Doyle concedes a free kick for a foul on Antolin Alcaraz. Direct free kick taken by Ali Al Habsi.
85:44 The assistant referee flags for offside against Conor Sammon. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
84:58 Conor Sammon produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.
Correction - 83:38 Richard Stearman gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Victor Moses. Free kick crossed right-footed by Victor Moses from left wing, save made by
Wayne Hennessey.
83:38 Richard Stearman gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Victor Moses. Direct free kick taken by Victor Moses.
82:32 Substitution (Wolverhampton) makes a substitution, with Nenad Milijas coming on for Jamie O'Hara.
81:43 Inswinging corner taken by Victor Moses.
81:01 Corner taken right-footed by Victor Moses from the right by-line, Steve Gohouri takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey.
80:39 Effort on goal by Conor Sammon from 12 yards. Fantastic save by Wayne Hennessey.
79:38 Free kick taken by Albert Crusat.
79:38 Booking Jamie O'Hara is shown a yellow card.
79:25 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie O'Hara on Maynor Figueroa.
78:06 Booking Stephen Hunt shown a yellow card.
76:56 Substitution James McArthur on for David Jones.
76:56 Substitution (Wigan) makes a substitution, with Conor Sammon coming on for Hugo Rodallega.
76:43 Hugo Rodallega produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.
75:42 Effort on goal by Franco Di Santo from 20 yards. Save by Wayne Hennessey.
74:27 Kevin Doyle gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mohamed Diame. Mohamed Diame takes the free kick.
72:01 Free kick awarded for a foul by Franco Di Santo on Karl Henry. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.
71:36 Shot by Albert Crusat from 25 yards. Fantastic save by Wayne Hennessey.
70:56 Jamie O'Hara takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Antolin Alcaraz.
70:00 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara from the right by-line.
69:09 Foul by Antolin Alcaraz on Jamie O'Hara, free kick awarded. The ball is crossed by Jamie O'Hara, Christophe Berra takes a shot. Save by Ali Al Habsi.
68:17 The referee blows for offside against David Edwards. Ali Al Habsi restarts play with the free kick.
Correction - 65:31 Shot by David Edwards from 12 yards. Maynor Figueroa gets a block in.
Correction - 65:35 Shot by Jamie O'Hara from 12 yards. Ali Al Habsi makes a brilliant save.
65:38 The assist for the goal came from Jamie O'Hara.
65:38 GOAL - Stephen Ward Wolverhampton 3 - 1 Wigan Stephen Ward grabs a goal from inside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Wolverhampton 3-1 Wigan.
66:05 Shot by Jamie O'Hara. Save by Ali Al Habsi.
65:52 Shot by David Edwards. Blocked by Maynor Figueroa.
64:38 Jamie O'Hara restarts play with the free kick.
64:02 Substitution Ben Watson leaves the field to be replaced by Albert Crusat.
64:02 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ben Watson on Matthew Jarvis.
62:58 Corner from the right by-line taken by David Jones, clearance by Stephen Ward.
62:48 Unfair challenge on Franco Di Santo by Stephen Ward results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ben Watson.
Correction - 59:09 Foul by Jamie O'Hara on Antolin Alcaraz, free kick awarded. Antolin Alcaraz restarts play with the free kick.
59:09 Unfair challenge on Steve Gohouri by Jamie O'Hara results in a free kick. Steve Gohouri takes the direct free kick.
57:31 Unfair challenge on Steve Gohouri by Kevin Doyle results in a free kick. Steve Gohouri takes the free kick.
57:18 Franco Di Santo gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Roger Johnson. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Ward.
Correction - 54:59 Karl Henry crosses the ball, Stephen Hunt produces a drilled right-footed shot from 12 yards. Save by Ali Al Habsi. Jamie O'Hara takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes
a brilliant save.
54:48 Jamie O'Hara provided the assist for the goal.
54:48 GOAL - David Edwards Wolverhampton 2 - 1 Wigan David Edwards scores a goal from inside the six-yard box high into the middle of the goal. Wolverhampton 2-1 Wigan.
54:59 A cross is delivered by Karl Henry, drilled right-footed shot by Stephen Hunt. Save made by Ali Al Habsi. Jamie O'Hara takes a shot. Save made by Ali Al Habsi.
51:54 Unfair challenge on Karl Henry by Mohamed Diame results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
51:18 Hugo Rodallega concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Stearman. Free kick taken by Roger Johnson.
49:52 The assistant referee signals for offside against Franco Di Santo. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.
48:17 Franco Di Santo has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
47:46 David Jones gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jamie O'Hara. Jamie O'Hara restarts play with the free kick.
46:42 Victor Moses has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.
45:01 The referee starts the second half.
45:01 Substitution Adlene Guedioura goes off and Matthew Jarvis comes on.
41:27 Missed Penalty Penalty taken by Ben Watson is saved by Wayne Hennessey. Wolverhampton 1-1 Wigan.
Half Time
45:00+2:16 The first half comes to an end.
45:00+1:06 Shot by Stephen Hunt. Ali Al Habsi makes a save.
45:00+0:07 Corner taken by David Jones, Mohamed Diame gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Christophe Berra. Direct free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
43:35 Jamie O'Hara has an effort at goal. Ali Al Habsi makes a brilliant save.
43:04 Mohamed Diame challenges Adlene Guedioura unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie O'Hara crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save made by
Ali Al Habsi.
41:27 Missed Penalty Penalty taken by Ben Watson is saved by Wayne Hennessey. Wolverhampton 1-1 Wigan.
41:17 GOAL - Ben Watson Wolverhampton 1 - 1 Wigan Goal scored by Ben Watson from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Wolverhampton 1-1 Wigan.
40:24 Emmerson Boyce fouled by Stephen Hunt, the ref awards a Penalty.
39:52 Foul by Stephen Ward on Victor Moses, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by David Jones.
39:25 Unfair challenge on Antolin Alcaraz by Adlene Guedioura results in a free kick. Antolin Alcaraz takes the free kick.
Correction - 34:55 The assistant referee flags for offside against Stephen Hunt. Free kick taken by Antolin Alcaraz.
34:55 The offside flag is raised against Stephen Hunt. Antolin Alcaraz takes the indirect free kick.
33:02 Roger Johnson concedes a free kick for a foul on Franco Di Santo. Maynor Figueroa restarts play with the free kick.
30:42 Kevin Doyle provided the assist for the goal.
30:42 GOAL - Jamie O'HaraWolverhampton 1 - 0 Wigan Jamie O'Hara gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal.
Wolverhampton 1-0 Wigan.
30:11 Hugo Rodallega produces a drilled right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.
29:27 The official flags Hugo Rodallega offside. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.
28:25 David Jones gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Ward. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.
25:40 Booking The referee shows Antolin Alcaraz a yellow card.
23:25 Shot from 20 yards by Victor Moses. Blocked by Roger Johnson.
21:04 Hugo Rodallega takes a shot. Save made by Wayne Hennessey.
20:06 The offside flag is raised against Hugo Rodallega. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
16:17 Headed effort from inside the penalty area by David Edwards misses to the right of the target.
11:42 The assistant referee flags for offside against Franco Di Santo. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
11:29 The referee blows for offside against Kevin Doyle. Free kick taken by Maynor Figueroa.
10:24 Hugo Rodallega gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Richard Stearman. Roger Johnson restarts play with the free kick.
9:30 The offside flag is raised against Hugo Rodallega. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
8:02 The official flags David Jones offside. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
7:42 Corner taken left-footed by David Jones to the near post, Kevin Doyle manages to make a clearance.
5:43 David Jones concedes a free kick for a foul on Karl Henry. Direct free kick taken by Jamie O'Hara.
4:49 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Steve Gohouri.
4:28 Corner from the right by-line taken by Jamie O'Hara, Maynor Figueroa manages to make a clearance.
2:42 Inswinging corner taken by Jamie O'Hara from the left by-line, Steve Gohouri makes a clearance.
2:26 Shot by David Edwards. Save by Ali Al Habsi.
0:00 The referee gets the game started.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
TEAM NEWS
Wolves forward Steven Fletcher is unlikely to start Sunday's match despite returning to training last week following a calf injury.
Mick McCarthy has hinted he will again play Kevin Doyle as a lone striker, with Jamie O'Hara offering support.
Wigan captain Gary Caldwell serves a one-match ban for collecting five bookings this season.
Midfielder Mohamed Diame's ankle injury is not as serious as first feared and he may be involved at Molineux.
MATCH PREVIEW
Halloween has come and gone but there's still a haunted air hanging over this pair and Bonfire weekend will be a mere damp squib for either with another defeat.
Continue reading the main story
By the time they meet again on the final day at least one of them will be doomed unless they can end the slump very soon
Both teams have simply forgotten how to win. Wolves may have been defending poorly but they've still been unlucky not to pick up more points. It is vital, though, that they get
their first win in eight games and 11 weeks. They've lost their last three against Wigan. Another defeat would be disastrous.
Steven Fletcher's injury has been untimely. Key players like Matt Jarvis are short of confidence, while the central defenders aren't being protected.
But there is hope. Mick McCarthy's defiance in the face of mounting criticism should act as a foundation for the players to respond.
Wigan look a doomed side on current form with seven defeats in a row. They'll equal the club's record with another. No side has ever lost more than eight on the spin and stayed in
the Premier League.
Defenders have made horrendous individual errors. There is a worrying lack of pace at the back. Up front Hugo Rodallega looks a shadow of the striker who kept them up last
season.
They do have one of the most optimistic managers in the game and a calming owner in Dave Whelan. There will be no panic stations but at this stage it is very difficult to see them
getting enough points on the board by the New Year to stage another great escape. In December they have to face Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United!
It's a signpost Sunday for both clubs. They stand at the cross roads. By the time they meet again on the final day at least one of them will be doomed unless they can end the
slump very soon.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Wigan have never been beaten in a Premier League match at Molineux; winning 2-1 and 2-0 on their two previous trips.
The Latics have won their last three league games against Mick McCarthy's men. Their only loss to Wolves came at home in their first top-flight league meeting in August 2009.
Wolves' only triumph in five home league games against Wigan was a 2-1 success in October 1988 in the old Third Division.
League matches between the sides at Molineux have averaged 3.6 goals per game. There has never been a goalless draw between them.
Wolves
Wolves' point in their 2-2 draw with Swansea, in their last home game, is the only one taken from a combined 42 available to Wanderers and Wigan in their last seven games - they
are the Premier League's two most out-of-form sides. Wolves' eight-match winless run is the longest in their Premier League history and worst in the top-flight since an 11-match
streak between March and May 1984. Mick McCarthy's men started the season with two clean sheets in their opening three games but have subsequently leaked 16 in seven
games, conceding at least twice in each. It's just four points from a possible 15 at Molineux for Wolves; only the bottom two of Blackburn and Bolton have worse home records.
Wigan
Wigan have lost seven Premier League matches in a row - one shy of equalling their Premier League club record. They are first side to lose seven successive matches since
Portsmouth at the beginning of the 2009/2010 season. Pompey were ultimately relegated. The Latics have failed to score in half of their league games to date. With just six goals
to date they own the Premier League's least potent attack. Roberto Martinez's side have only one point to show from their opening five away league fixtures, the equal worst
record along with Swansea.
DID YOU KNOW?
Prior to this match, Wolves had conceded at least two goals in each of their last 7 PL matches (1 draw, 6 defeats). This represents the longest such streak in Premier League
history
Scores
Scores will update automatically
Bolton5-0StokeFT
Fulham1-2TottenhamL
Wolves3-1WiganFT
As it stands - Premier League table
Projected table based on latest scores
Position Team P GD PTS
Full Premier League table
1 Man City 11 29 31
2 Man Utd 11 16 26
3 Newcastle 11 9 25
4 Chelsea 11 9 22
5 Tottenham 10 5 22
6 Liverpool 11 4 19
7 Arsenal 11 2 19
8 Aston Villa 11 1 15
9Norwich11-213
10Swansea11-313
11QPR11-1012
12Stoke11-1112
13Wolves11-611
14West Brom11-711
15Sunderland11110
16Fulham11010
17Everton10-410
18Bolton11-99
19Blackburn11-116
20Wigan11-135
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