Wolves scored three headed goals on their way to three points in a dominant win over Cardiff at Molineux.
Fer Lopez’s sixth Championship goal of the season opened the scoring inside 10 minutes, before Adam Armstrong quickly added another for his second goal in as many games.
Cardiff started the second half well but Ladislav Krejci’s finish just before the hour mark killed the game off and secured a deserved victory.
Analysis
Cesar Peixoto made one change from the win over Watford, as Fer Lopez replaced Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
There was also an injury boost as Rodrigo Gomes returned from an ankle issue to make the bench.
Nasser Djiga’s groin injury was not risked and he missed out, while Bertrand Traore and Boubacar Traore are back in training following hamstring and calf problems respectively, but they are not fit enough to feature yet.
Raul Jimenez and Ghislain Konan are long-term absentees.
Wolves were knocking the ball around well in the early stages of the game and forced a save from goalkeeper Nathan Trott when Jordan James took aim from the edge of the box.
Moments later, Andre won the ball well in midfield and found Rafiki Said, who charged forward and had a shot deflected wide.
At the other end, Krejci and Yerson Mosquera failed to clear a long ball forward and Yousef Salech stole it, before passing to Chris Willock.
The Cardiff man then cut onto his right foot and got more space when Andre slipped, before forcing Jose Sa into a save.
Wolves deservedly took the lead in the 10th minute. A really strong counter attack saw Hugo Bueno carry the ball forward and come inside to a central area, before delivering a clever chipped pass for Lopez’ diving header finish.
The hosts quickly added a second when Lopez found Said with a cross-field pass and he cut onto his right foot to deliver an excellent cross for Armstrong’s smart run, and his header found the back of the net via a brief touch from goalkeeper Trott.
The game was briefly paused as the South Bank screamed for medical assistance, and stewards and club medical staff raced into the crowd. It was later revealed that the person involved was OK and was being checked over by first aid professionals.
Once the game was back under way, James was forced off with an injury in the 36th minute and replaced by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
Wolves had a big chance for a third when Cardiff played out from the back and a loose pass fell to Said, but his first time shot was straight at the goalkeeper.
Ollie Tanner then had a shot saved from close range, as Wolves preserved their 2-0 lead going into half-time.
Wolves made a slow start to the second half as Cardiff put the pressure on, and Joel Colwill directed a shot straight at Sa.
But that pressure was relieved when Krejci rose highest from a Kieran Trippier corner to head home.
That goal killed the game as a contest and confident Wolves looked more likely to score again, as they had several chances in good areas.
Cardiff somehow did not score when Salech’s free header was saved and J.Colwill put the rebound wide from close range.
Moments later, Jack Moylan did put the ball in the net when following up on a spilled shot, but he was flagged offside.
But Wolves were professional in their approach to see out the final minutes of the match and secure an important win.
Key Moments
GOAL 10 Lopez puts Wolves ahead
GOAL 15 Armstrong doubles Wolves’ lead
GOAL 58 Krejci’s header makes it 3-0
Teams
Wolves: Sa, Trippier, Mosquera, Krejci, Bueno, Andre (Doyle, 76), Munetsi, Lopez (R.Gomes, 66), James (Bellegarde, 36), Said (Mane, 66), Armstrong (Chirewa, 76).
Subs not used: Virginia, Toti, Tchatchoua, Neave.
Cardiff: Trott, Scanlon (Ashford, 61), Bagan, Fish (Kpakio, 71), Ng, Moylan, Robertson (Turnbull, 71), Willock (R.Colwill, 61), J.Colwill, Tanner (Holt, 88), Salech.
Subs not used: Tyrer, Anyadike, Tankiewicz, Moreno.
Better in the first half, got some goals, got a win. COYW!!
Krejci Motm for me. Both full backs were interesting. Krejci covered for Hugo, defended well, made some great passes and scored. A centre half … and a half.