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Next Match - away at Cardiff and live on Sky 5.20 Sat 1st November

Tuesday 28th October Wolves 2 (Ebanks-Blake 45, 57) Swansea City 1 (Pratley 47)

Sylvan stars as Chris I is given nothing again by the refs.  Are they picking on him for his red card appeal.  Michael Mancienne debuts in the snow at Molineux.   Tense match after the Swans equaliser comes from a rare Foley mistake. Match report and pix is on Wolves World here

Wolves 2 (Ebanks-Blake 45, 57) Swansea 1 (Pratley 49)

Wolves moved back to the top of the Championship table after a hard fought victory over newly promoted Swansea City with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake bagging a brace against a plucky Welsh outfit.  Carlos Edwards came in for Michael Gray as the only change to the starting line-up whilst new loan signing Michael Mancienne was named as a substitute.

City kicked-off attacking the North Bank end on a sodden surface covered with a sprinkling of wet snow.  There was little by way of goalmouth threats in the opening stages although Ashley Williams did well to clear Michael Kightly's low delivery into the six-yard box before Jordi Gomez curled a free-kick from near the right-hand corner flag over the bar after he had been fouled by Stephen Ward.  In the tenth minute Swansea keeper Artur Krysiak knocked a Dave Jones corner down into the path of Chris Iwelumo who fired over the bar. Then, when the Scottish striker was fouled some 25-yards out, Jones' free-kick drifted a fraction wide of the post. The home support were up celebrating in the 14th minute as Iwelumo powered home a header after a cross from Edwards. But the cheers quickly died away when the referee ruled out the goal, presumably for a push.  Ebanks-Blake was tripped by Leon Britton as Wolves went forward again but Kightly's effort from the free-kick hit the wall and bounced clear. On 20 minutes Carl Ikeme tipped over a 25-yard rising drive from Mark Gower but Wolves were soon back on the attack and Iwelumo wasn't far away as he swivelled to volley narrowly over after Kightly had crossed from the right.  Angel Rangel blazed a cross-shot over the bar after a methodical build up by the Welsh side but it was Wolves that continued to enjoy the bulk of the attacking play.  In the final seconds of the half Ebanks-Blake gave Wanderers the lead. He collected Iwelumo's knock down on the edge of the area and turned his marker before taking a few steps and holding off another challenge before delivering a low shot that beat Krysiak and ran just inside the far post.

Half-Time: Wolves 1 Swansea 0

Just four minutes after the resumption the Swans were back on level terms. Federico Bessone's cross from the left was allowed to run through to Darren Pratley who beat Ikeme with a low shot from just outside the area.  Two minutes later Pratley nearly added a second with a fierce volley from 22-yards that wasn't too far over the bar.  But Ebanks-Blake restored Wolves' lead in the 57th minute when his glancing header from Edwards' cross flew past Krysiak (pictured above).  Fortune was with Wolves four minutes later when a tremendous effort from Gower, who was 30-yards out, crashed against the underside of the bar before being cleared by Neill Collins.  Midway through the half Iwelumo found the net when he met Jones' free-kick but once again his effort was ruled out although there was no obvious reason why.  Jason Scotland's cross-shot was deflected wide but Wolves almost grabbed a third after Ebanks-Blake had been fouled by Gomez on the edge of the City box.   Karl Henry touched the free-kick to Jones who drove the ball to the far post where Iwelumo's header hit Garry Monk before being tipped over by Krysiak.  Henry hit a low shot that was turned behind by the Polish keeper who then had to concede another corner when Iwelumo met another Jones free-kick at the back post.  In stoppage time Ikeme made a fine save to cling onto a snapshot from Gomez as Wolves held out to claim the three points.

Wolves: Ikeme, Foley, Ward, Henry (capt), Shackell (Keogh 88), Collins, Kightly (D. Edwards 67), Jones, Ebanks-Blake, Iwelumo, C. Edwards (Mancienne81).  Unused subs: Hennessey, Vokes.

Swansea: Krysiak, Williams, Bodde, Britton (Pintado 77), Pratley, Scotland, Gower (Butler 77), Gomez, Monk (capt), Bessone, Rangel.
Unused subs: Tate, Brandy, Konstantopoulos.

Referee: R. Beeby.  Attendance: 21,988.

 

Watford 2 (Rasiak 20, O'Toole 47)  Wolves 3 (Iwelumo 1, Jones 40, Gray 70)
Kevin Foley was man of the match for excellent defending - including two points saving goal line clearances.Chris Iwelumo suffered at the hands of ref Woolmer - constantly being ruled against, no penalty being given, and eventually booking him.   You can see Mick’s comments on the pens. Tense match.  Great save by Carl Ikeme on to the post deserved more than being pushed home by the Pole who never was and never made it at Spurs.  Quite where the left side defence went for the Hornet’s equaliser was only slightly more mysterious than how four of our players missed an open goal.   Consistent performance again from Kights, a terrific goal saving header by Neill.
Go to www.wolves.co.uk for detailed match reports and pix
Mick's Watford Reaction: 'It Could Have Been 6-6!' Sat 25 Oct 2008

Mick McCarthy admitted there was a touch of "Keystone Cops" at both ends of the pitch after Wolves' entertaining win at Watford - and
insisted there is still plenty of work to be done.  Wolves clung to a 3-2 victory at Vicarage Road< to stay with the pace set by leaders Birmingham but once again had to outscore their opponents after what the manager described as "basic errors".  And whilst not wanting to forego his admirable attacking principles, Mick again admitted they need to tighten up at the back.  "We've made some real basic errors again and got away with it," he said.  "And we can't keep going away and having to score two or three goals to get something out of the game.  "For the first goal I think we should have squeezed them out and made their man offside and for the second, the last thing out of my mouth after half time was telling them not to give free kicks away.  "And for the goal itself, we conceded one like that against the reserves in training yesterday so I was expecting us to deal with it today.  "It was a real scrappy strange affair with some rubbish defending and rubbish attacking which could have finished 6-6!   "I'm sure it was highly entertaining and indeed amusing for any neutrals watching because there was a touch of Keystone Cops at both ends of the pitch.  "What do we take out of it? Three points, that's all. And maybe scoring three goals away from home."  Mick also believed there were some "bizarre decisions" during the afternoon, not least the second half penalty which Tommy Smith blazed over the bar with the score at 2-2.  "I've had another look at it and it's never a penalty, a really soft decision," he added.   "John-Joe O'Toole has got a hold of whoever it is behind him and then drags him to the floor.  "I think the fact it was missed meant it got what it deserved and if that was a penalty then Chris Iwelumo's in the first half definitely was."
Mick also backed up his decision to prefer Wayne Hennessey in goal, insisting the first goal conceded at NorwichCity was his only mistake in Tuesday's 5-2 defeat.  "It would have been easy to bring the number one back," he declared.  "And everyone might have expected Wayne to come back in but apart from one isolated incident at Norwich I'm not sure what Carl has done wrong.  "I don't make decisions about picking or dropping players on one incident and apart from that he was brilliant on Tuesday night.  "His all-round performance was terrific and he's had another good game today coming out well and taking throw-ins and crosses."   While Wolves remain firmly in the promotion picture, Mick brushed aside suggestions that this could be their year.   "We want to finish higher than last season and if we do we'll be in the promotion shake-up," he said.  "But we don't look like a promotion team at the moment and we didn't at  Norwich nor at Swansea .  "There's still a hell of a lot of work to be done.  "I'm not overly happy with today's performance the only thing we can take away from it is that we've won.  "And isn't that nice? I can't think of anything nicer!"

Watford 2 (Rasiak 20, O'Toole 47)  Wolves 3 (Iwelumo 1, Jones 40, Gray 70)

Wolves bounced back from their Carrow Road disappointment to record a fine win at Watford. But they had to do it the hard way with The Hornets twice drawing level before Michael Gray sealed matters 20 minutes from the end.

There were three changes to Mick McCarthy's starting line-up with Gray coming in on the left for Carlos Edwards, Dave Jones returned to replace Dave Edwards in midfield whilst Jason Shackell made his full debut in defence in place of the suspended Richard Stearman.  Wolves got off to a dream start with a goal after just 43 seconds. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake flicked on Carl Ikeme's clearance and Chris Iwelumo chested the ball into the net before he was clattered by Watford keeper Richard Lee.  Iwelumo's second attempt at goal, some seven minutes later, was

from 20-yards but his shot lacked the power to seriously trouble Lee.  A well timed tackle by John Eustace ended Michael Kightly's

enterprising run from the halfway line to the edge of the Watford box, before a corner from Jones was headed on at the near post by Stephen Ward with the ball flying inches wide on the far side.   Watford drew level in the 20th minute when Tommy Smith's cross-shot was deflected towards goal as Shackell and John-Joe O'Toole went for the ball. Although wrong-footed, Carl Ikeme made a terrific save to push the

ball onto the foot of the post but Grzegorz Rasiak was there to convert from point blank range. Lee punched out a Kightly corner and when the home defence failed to clear their lines Kevin Foley ran in to hit a 30-yard shot that rolled wide.  Will Hoskins was way too high with his lob after Rasiak had played him in to the left of the Wolves goal, and Iwelumo just failed to divert the ball the right side of the post after he ran in behind the defence to meet a Jones free-kick. Watford were inches away from taking the lead in the 31st minute when Rasiak powered his header against the  underside of the bar after he had met John Harley's centre. Hoskins ran in and looked certain to score as he hit the rebound towards goal but  Neill Collins threw himself in to brilliantly block the ball st the expense of a corner.  Lee watched a 25-yard drive from Jones run wide and then appeals  for a penalty after Iwelumo went down under a challenge from Leigh Bromby were waved away by the referee.   But a foul by Bromby on the Wolves striker some 25-yards out led to Wolves regaining the lead five minutes before the break. Kightly touched the free-kick to Jones who thumped a left-foot shot that Lee got a hand to but couldn't keep out.

Half-Time: Watford 0 Wolves 0

Within two minutes of the restart, Watford grabbed a second equaliser with O'Toole's outstretched foot diverting the ball into the net via the bar following Tommy Smith's left-wing free-kick.   Ebanks-Blake was off target twice with overhead kicks as the Molineux men went in search of a third but Watford went close again when Ikeme just managed to push Smith's cross away from the waiting Harley.  Karl Henry was booked for 'foot up' on Eustace before Watford were awarded a 61st minute penalty after Jones was adjudged to have shoved O'Toole as they went for Bromby's long throw. But Smith wasted the chance when he blazed the spot-kick over the bar.  Lee blocked bravely at the feet of Collins after Iwelumo had headed the ball down from Kightly's corner before Collins went into the book for a foul on Rasiak.  Kightly's skills led to Wolves' third goal on 70 minutes. He raced clear into the right side of the Watford box and drew the keeper before squaring the ball to Gray who made no mistake.  Eustace was yellow carded after felling Kightly who was inches away from making the three points a surety when he hit a searing drive that beat Lee but flashed just wide of the far post.   But Foley proved to be Wolves' saviour with two magnificent goal line clearances within a two minute spell. First he headed O'Toole's volley off the line and then he threw himself into the path of Jobi McAnuff's close range effort after Ikeme had blocked Smith's shot.   Andy Keogh came on for Ebanks-Blake and, after he ad been booked for persistent fouling, Iwelumo was replaced by Sam Vokes.  In stoppage time substitute Edwards was denied by Adrian Mariappa who cleared off the line after Vokes had run onto Kightly's pass and cut the ball back from the by-line.

Watford: Lee, Sadler, Bromby, Eustace (capt), Rasiak, Doyley (Henderson 89), Harley (McAnuff 71), Smith, Hoskins (Ainsworth 71), Mariappa, O'Toole. Unused subs: Tyler, Jenkins. Booking: Eustace (74 - foul).

Wolves: Ikeme, Foley, Ward, Henry (capt), Shackell, Collins, Kightly, Jones, Ebanks-Blake (Keogh 82), Iwelumo (Vokes 86), Gray (Edwards 76).   Unused subs: Hennessey, Friend.  Bookings: Henry (59 - foul), Collins (69 - foul), Iwelumo (83 - persistent fouling).
 Referee: K.A. Woolmer.  Attendance: 16,386 (2,264 away supporters).

Norwich City 5 (Ikeme og 26, Lita 39, 58, 69, Croft 74) Wolves 2 (Collins 41, Ebanks-Blake-pen 67)

Budgied off the top. go to www.Wolves.co.uk for match report

Wolves lost their grip on top spot in the Championship table after being on the wrong end of a 5-2 drubbing at Norwich.  Loan signing from Reading, Leroy Lita, claimed a hat-trick and to add to the visitors' agonies, defender Richard Stearman was sent-off for two bookable offences.

Mick McCarthy made two changes to the team that had beaten Coventry City at Molineux with the two Edwards - Carlos and Dave - coming in for Andy Keogh and Dave Jones who were both named as substitutes.  Wolves were backed by over 800 supporters in the corner of the Jarrold Stand as Norwich kicked-off in front of a sizeable crowd at Carrow Road.  After just two minutes Carl Ikeme ran from his area to bravely head clear as Lita chased down Wes Hoolahan's long through pass. The ball ran loose to Antoine Sibierski and as Ikeme slid in for a second attempted clearance he fouled the Frenchman.  Sibierski received treatment before former Molineux midfielder Sammy Clingan drove the ball wide from 25-yards.  Wolves were awarded a free-kick from a similar distance at the other end when Dave Edwards was fouled by Dejan Stefanovic.  Karl Henry touched the free-kick to Edwards who was too high with his shot.   Stephen Ward headed clear a Hoolahan centre as Lee Croft came charging in and, from the resultant corner, the ball was half cleared to Elliott Omozusi who, from 30-yards, hit a terrific drive that was arrowing for the top corner until Ikeme pulled off a brilliant fingertip save.   All the early threats were coming from City and there was another moment of danger when Croft sprinted into the Wolves box but his low shot was hit straight at Ikeme.   After 22 minutes Sylvan Ebanks-Blake broke into the right of the Norwich area and hit a shot that was deflected by Gary Doherty and saved by the legs of keeper David Marshall before being cleared.   Lita was wide with a diving header before in the 26th minute he was held back by Stearman to the left of the Wolves area.   After Stearman had been somewhat harshly booked, Clingan curled the free-kick towards the far corner where Ikeme collected. But the keeper stepped back over the line and he was adjudged to have taken the ball with him as the linesman immediately flagged for a goal.  Hoolahan wasn't far away from a second with a rising drive before Lita went into the book for a heavy challenge on Dave Edwards. But Lita was all smiles in the 39th minute after he had cut in from the right and beat Ward before hitting a low shot that beat Ikeme and went in off Kevin Foley who made a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to clear.  Within two minutes, Wolves were back in it. Michael Kightly's free-kick was deflected for a corner that was taken by Carlos Edwards and powerfully headed home by Neill Collins.   Both sides had a chance in the final minutes of the half. Stearman headed across goal and a yard wide after a Foley free-kick, then Lita found himself clean through on goal only to be thwarted by Ikeme who stood tall to block.

Half-Time: Norwich 2 Wolves 1

Wolves looked a lot brighter at the start of the new half and there was a chance for an equaliser three minutes in when Ebanks-Blake pushed Kightly's cross into the path of Chris Iwelumo who volleyed wide from the edge of the box.   Then Kightly ran into the left of the City area but as he shot Hoolahan got in a block tackle with the ball rolling out for an unproductive corner.  The 58th minute proved to be a defining one in which Wolves could have been level but instead conceded a third goal. Ebanks-Blake looked to be onside as he raced clear onto Iwelumo's pass.   But he was flagged offside and when Marshall booted the free-kick upfield Carlos Edwards' attempted back-pass was intercepted by Lita who flicked the ball over the stranded Ikeme.  Henry was booked for delaying a free-kick and Keogh replaced Carlos Edwards before Ebanks-Blake reduced the arrears from the spot after he had been fouled by Hoolahan midway through the half.   But the two minutes that followed saw Wolves' hopes ended. Stearman was dismissed after receiving a second yellow, again for a holding offence on Lita. To rub salt in the wounds Clingan's free-kick was headed goalwards by Lita with the ball going in off the top of Collins' head.   A good tackle by Ward on Croft prevented an almost certain goal but the Norwich man wasn't too be denied as he grabbed a fifth goal for his team in the 74th minute.  With the Wolves defence stretched to the limit Croft sent Lita away and his angled shot curled over Ikeme and hit the far post with Croft reacting quickly to rifle the loose ball home.   Ikeme did well to prevent a sixth when he pushed away a drive from Sibierski and substitute Jones saw his 30-yard stoppage time free-kick thump against the bar and drop down into the arms of Marshall. 

Norwich: Marshall, Stefanovic, Croft (Bell 77), Clingan, Sibierski (Cureton 86), Doherty,Hoolahan, Russell (capt), Bertrand, Omozusi, Lita (Lupoli 80).  Unused subs: Nelson, Pattison.  Booking: Lita (36 - foul).

Wolves: Ikeme, Foley, Ward, Henry (capt), Stearman, Collins, C. Edwards (Keogh 62), D. Edwards, Ebanks-Blake, Iwelumo (Shackell 73),  Kightly (Jones 77).   Unused subs: Hennessey, Vokes.  Bookings: Stearman (26 - holding), Henry (62 - delaying free-kick).   Sending-Off: Stearman (68 - holding, second bookable offence).

Referee: G. Horwood.   Attendance: 24,351.

18th Oct Wolves 2 Coventry 1

The return of Freddy.  Tough match which the Sky Blues could easily have won.  Wayne was surprisingly dropped for Carl Ikeme who was man of the match for saves of point blank chances. Linesmen gave some strange decisions which (eventually) came out in our favour - including allowing SEB’s goal even though he’d come back on the pitch, but disallowed a good goal by Chris Iwelumo when a Coventry player was laying in the penalty area between the lino and Chris.  Chris got a great reception to lift him after his super miss in his first cap for Scotland.  Dave Edwards who scored for Wales also got a great reception when warming up.  Understandably Chris Coleman wasn’t pleased with Cardiff play off final ref Bennett, although he seemed to give every decision against CI.

Wolves 2 (Kightly 42, Ebanks-Blake 59)  Coventry City 1 (Mifsud 6) Visit the Wolves site for pix and Mick’s reaction here

Wolves came from behind to defeat Coventry and move back to the top of the table despite a performance described by Mick McCarthy as one of the worst of the season.

Carl Ikeme retained his place in goal whilst Chris Iwelumo returned from suspension and Michael Kightly and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake from injury. City kicked-off attacking the North bank end and they took the lead with the first goal attempt of the game after six minutes. Michael Doyle put former Molineux striker Freddy Eastwood in on goal but it was Michael Mifsud who took charge to slot the ball under the unprotected Ikeme. It was the third successive game in which Wolves had conceded an early goal.  The home side were struggling to contain a lively Sky Blues side and after 11 minutes only Ikeme's outstretched foot stopped Leon Best from adding to their tally after the ball had broken to the striker on the edge of the area.  Stephen Ward came to the rescue with a fine tackle on Eastwood who had cut into the box from the right and then Ikeme dived to save an angled shot from Isaac Osbourne.   There was an opening for Wolves when Kightly raced onto Dave Jones' through ball but City keeper Kieren Westwood cut out the midfielder's cross from the by-line.  The corner conceded was only half cleared and when the ball found its way back to Kightly, he delivered a shot that produced a fine save from Westwood.   In the 26th minute Jay Tabb's through ball left Mifsud in the clear but Ikeme was out quickly to block with Ward completing the clearance.  Kevin Foley's first time cross was headed behind by Danny Fox and then another good centre from the full-back was met by the head of Richard Stearman at the far post. The crowd was ready to celebrate a goal but Doyle was in position to clear off the line with appeals for hands being ignored by the referee. Sky Blues' skipper Scott Dann headed over the angle from Fox's corner before Wolves drew level in the 42nd minute. Kightly beat the offside trap as he ran onto Keogh's low cross and although he was running away from goal he was able to turn and ram the ball past Westwood.  Doyle went into the book for a late challenge on Kightly and in stoppage time Jones headed straight at Westwood after a cross from Foley.

Half-Time: Wolves 1 Coventry 1

Shortly after the resumption Kightly was yellow carded for pulling back Aron Gunnarsson. Then Kightly dragged a shot wide from 22-yards. Eastwood was booked after Stearman was hurt in an aerial challenge before Wolves went close to taking the lead three times in a five minute spell.  Jones hit a volley from 22-yards that went straight down the keeper's throat before Kightly just failed to get a foot to Andy Keogh's cross from the right. Then Westwood made a flying save to pluck Kightly's header out of the air after Foley had supplied the cross.  But, in the 59th minute, Ebanks-Blake put Wolves ahead with a controversial goal. He ran onto Foley's long lofted pass and took the ball to the by-line before pulling it back to Kightly whose shot was parried by Westwood.  The ball shot up into the air and Ebanks-Blake, whose momentum had taken him off the pitch, ran back on and won the challenge with the City keeper to head home (picture on Wolves site).
Osbourne fired wide of the near post as Coventry looked to hit back before Wolves made a double switch with Carlos Edwards coming on for Ebanks-Blake and Dave Edwards for Keogh.  Wolves were robbed of a third goal after Iwelumo was incorrectly flagged offside when he tucked the ball away after Ebanks-Blake had nodded on Foley's cross.  The home goal was lucky to survive a tremendous scramble in the 79th minute. Ikeme did well to block Tabb's glancing header after Osbourne had crossed.   Eastwood hit the loose ball against the keeper's body and it ran to Tabb who ran back onto the pitch and found Clinton Morrison. He hammered the ball goalwards but Ikeme was there to block once more.
The home crowd held its breath in the 83rd minute as Best headed Fox's free-kick across the face of goal. Elliott Ward appeared to get the slightest of touches but the ball drifted wide of the far post.  There were five further bookings in the closing stages of the game which included four minutes of stoppage time - Karl Henry and Iwelumo for Wolves and Tabb, Best and Fox for the Sky Blues although none of the offences appeared to be particularly serious.

Wolves: Ikeme, Foley, S. Ward (Shackell 86), K. Henry (capt), Stearman, Collins, Kightly, Dave Jones, Ebanks-Blake (C. Edwards 69), Iwelumo, Keogh (D. Edwards 69).  Unused subs: Hennessey, Vokes.  Bookings: Kightly (47 - holding), Foley (81 - foul), Henry (84 - foul), Iwelumo (90 - foul).

Coventry: Westwood, Osbourne, Fox, Dann (capt), E. Ward, Tabb, Gunnarsson (Beuzelin 69), Doyle, Mifsud (Morrison 69), Eastwood, Best. Unused subs: Hall, Marshall, Simpson.  Bookings: Doyle (44 - foul), Eastwood (49 - dangerous challenge), Tabb (84 - dissent), Best (90 - dissent), Fox (90 - ungentlemanly conduct).

Referee: S. Bennett.  Attendance: 25,893.

Swansea City 3 (Gomez 1, Scotland 41, 57)  Wolves 1 (Keogh 16)
read the report and see the pictures at http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10307,00.html

4 Significant changes as Kights and Jarvis injuries are followed by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake also not fit.   Carl Ikeme replaced Wayne Hennessey (why?- it appears that Wayne was dropped to the bench;  Carlos Edwards and David Edwards both start while left back George Friend makes his debut releasing Stephen Ward back onto the wing.  That lasted only a few minutes as George had a rough start and Stephen dropped back.
Academy 2nd year Ashley Hemmings on the bench
Jason Scotland set up Gomez to score within 30 seconds - quite a shock but Wolves got back into the match after 15mins and Andy Keogh levelled the score.  Just before half time Scotland put the Swans back into the lead though.  7 minutes into the second half Sam Vokes replaced Friend.  Carlos moved left and David Edwards right,  and helped Vokes almost make an immediate impact - great ball from Kevin Foley but excellent reaction save from DeVries.  Then the Swans moved quite firmly into control and completed an accomplished win to make it a miserable week for Wolves..  The  only highlights of the trip seemed to be the Bar with no sign http://www.nosignwinebar.co.uk/ where the beer and food were excellent

1H 
 Swansea:             Wolves
Goal Attempts 4  :  4 
On Target       3  :  2 
Crosses           -  :  2
Corners           2  :  1
Offside           1  :  3 
Fouls              7  :  7 
Possession   56%:44%
Wolves, decimated by injuries and suspension, slipped to their second League defeat of the week and lost their grip on top spot in the Championship as they went down by 3-1 to a determined Swansea side.

Already without wingers Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis, and in form striker Chris Iwelumo, Mick McCarthy also found himself missing the services of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake who was ruled out with a knee injury But there was a surprise when Carl Ikeme was preferred in goal to Wayne Hennessey who took a place on the bench.

George Friend and Carlos Edwards both made their debuts at left-back and in right midfield respectively. Stephen Ward moved into left midfield whilst Dave Edwards came in sitting behind Andy Keogh in a 4-5-1 formation.  Heavy rain was falling at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea kicked-off attacking the end that housed almost 2,500 Wolves supporters. And those gold and black clad fans were in for a shock as The Swans took the lead after just 25 seconds through Jordi Gomez who took a pass from Andrea Orlandi before netting with a low shot from just inside the area.  Wolves pressed forward in search of a quick response but, whilst they enjoyed plenty of possession, there was little of note to trouble Dorus de Vries.  The keeper collided with Friend as the two went for a Dave Jones corner with the referee awarding a free-kick in the home side's favour. Friend had, by this time, swapped places with Ward under instructions from the bench.  Keogh levelled matters in the 16th minute with a well worked goal. He took a return pass from Dave Edwards and skipped past a defender before driving home a left foot shot.
Neill Collins headed narrowly wide after connecting with Jones' free-kick but the offside flag had been raised anyway.  A back pass from Collins held up on the sodden turf and Ikeme twice had to block at the feet of the home strikers before Jason Scotland's shot from a narrow angle was cleared from in front of the line by Kevin Foley.  Collins headed over following a Jones free-kick wide on the right, and Keogh fired over the far angle after he had manoeuvred himself into a shooting position. Gomez became the second home player to go into the book, following Marcos Painter's earlier caution for dissent, when he upended Ward.  Mark Gower thought he had grabbed a second for Swansea when he curled a shot into the corner but his effort was ruled out for offside against Gomez who ran right across the path of Ikeme's view.  Then the woodwork came to Wolves' rescue as Scotland's header bounced back off the bar after Darren Pratley had flicked on Gomez's corner. Keogh was shown the yellow card for a foul on Angel Rangel.  Four minutes before the break Scotland restored Swansea's lead when he ran into the box and hit a shot that Ikeme managed to block only for the ball to balloon over the keeper and into the empty net. In stoppage time Ikeme got down well to save a low shot from Gower while Keogh tested De Vries with a chip that wasn't quite high enough.

Half-Time: Swansea 2 Wolves 1

Collins was penalised for a foul on Scotland shortly after the resumption but the defender was in position to head clear after Gomez had pumped a dangerous free-kick into the six-yard box.  Sam Vokes replaced Friend in the 52nd minute and within seconds of his introduction he was denied by De Vries who somehow got a foot to the striker's first time shot after Foley had crossed from the right.  As Ward attempted to return the ball into the area, he was pulled back by Orlandi who went into the book.  Richard Stearman was perilously close to conceding an own goal as he headed Gower's cross behind for a corner, before Scotland hit a shot from 22-yards that flew into the corner of the net to increase Swansea's lead and leave Wolves with a mountain to climb.  Jones drove narrowly over and De Vries punched clear a free-kick from the midfielder after Rangel had hauled down Carlos Edwards just to the left of the home box.  Ikeme beat away a fierce shot from Gower and then the keeper just managed to get his fingertips to a low drive from substitute Gorka Pintado.  Five minutes from the end Leon Britton cleared Stearman's header off the line after Vokes had nodded on Jones' corner to deny Wolves a consolation on a miserable afternoon. 

Swansea: De Vries, Williams, Painter, Britton, Pratley, Scotland (Pintado 72), Orlandi (Tudor-Jones 64), Gower (Bauza 90), Gomez, Monk (capt), Rangel.  Unused subs: Tate, Brandy.  Bookings: Painter (28 - dissent), Gomez (32 - foul), Orlandi (53 - foul), Scotland (57 - goal celebration)

Wolves: Ikeme, Foley, Friend (Vokes 52), Henry (capt), Stearman, Collins, C. Edwards (Shackell 81), Dave Jones, D. Edwards, Keogh, Ward.  Unused subs: Hennessey, Potter, Hemmings.  Booking: Keogh (40 - foul).

Referee: T. Kettle.  Attendance: 17,556 (2,470 away supporters).

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