Wolves survived a Bolton fightback at Molineux to clinch a 2-1 victory.
Battle of the Wanderers sees Midlanders prevail over Trotters
Wolves survived a Bolton fightback at Molineux to clinch a 2-1 victory on Saturday.
The hosts started the game at the foot of the Premier League table after Portsmouth's lunchtime win over Burnley, but Mick McCarthy's side made a blistering start to the game when skipper Jody Craddock blasted a three minute opener.
Bolton can feel hard-done by as the defender was clearly offside, but the visitors could have no complaints with Nenad Milijas' 30-yard wonder-goal midway in the second half as he bludgeoned the ball past a helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen to cap a man-of-the-match performance.
The Trotters came back fighting however, and substitute striker Johan Elmander scored a scruffy strike to set up a nail-biting finish for the home supporters, but Wolves held on and secured a vital thee points on their quest for survival and their first win in eight games.
Bolton, meanwhile, sink further into the relegation zone with Saturday's conquerors rising above them as their latest setback will have done little to silence the boo boys calling for boss Gary Megson's head.
Super start
Wolves moved off the foot of the table courtesy of the best possible start by making the breakthrough in the third minute.
Andy O'Brien was hauled back after a challenge on Kevin Doyle and Milijas swung in the free-kick.
Christophe Berra flicked the ball on and Craddock swept it home from close range for his fourth goal of the season.
Wolves almost added a second in the 18th minute when Richard Stearman headed goalwards following a corner from Matt Jarvis.
Stearman thought he had done enough to score but Ricardo Gardner cleared off the line to prevent Bolton going further behind.
Play switched back down the other end and Gary Cahill just failed to get a proper connection after Lee Chung-Yong had delivered the corner.
Bolton were finding it hard to get going but Ivan Klasnic tested Marcus Hahnemann from distance in the 26th minute.
They forced another corner in the 37th minute but Gretar Steinsson saw his effort go wide of the post after Lee's delivery from the left.
Matt Taylor then thumped in a 30-yard free-kick five minutes later, only for Hahnemann to take the sting out of his effort with a degree of comfort.
Then Milijas was set up by Doyle but he got a poor touch and skied a shot over the bar.
Second-half
Wolves were keen to build on their slim lead and Milijas rattled in a shot in the 46th minute that spun to safety off Cahill.
Bolton, however, stepped up the pace with both Taylor and Cahill in quick succession getting on the end of corners from Lee but failing to take advantage.
Klasnic then worked an opening for himself in the 58th minute but failed to test Hahnemann, sending his effort nearer to the corner flag than the goal.
Wolves again found themselves on the back foot four minutes later but Gardner strayed offside and the move broke down.
But the home side responded and extended their lead in the 63rd minute with a marvellous goal from Milijas.
The Wolves midfielder latched on to a loose ball, strode forward and lashed a shot beyond goalkeeper Jaaskelainen.
It was a stunning strike and Bolton were left reeling after enjoying a decent spell of possession.
They hit back and Tamir Cohen homed in on goal five minutes later but Ward made a crucial block. Then Hahnemann reacted superbly to parry Taylor's close-range effort.
Wolves should have punished Bolton even more in the 74th minute but Edwards sent a weak shot into Jaaskelainen's body from a good position.
Four minutes later Bolton pulled a goal back through Elmander and gave themselves a glimmer of hope.
The Swedish striker was set up by Klasnic following a corner from Taylor and beat the goalkeeper from close range.
Klasnic should have pulled the sides level in the 81st minute but Hahnemann made a comfortable save and Wolves held out.
| Wolverhampton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Bolton Wanderers |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
8 |
| 1 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
5 |
| 11 |
Corners |
10 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 60.6 |
Passing Success |
68 |
| 14 |
Tackles |
10 |
| 100 |
Tackles Success |
70 |
| 44.1 |
Possession |
55.9 |
| 51.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
48.1 |
|
