Preston 1 Wolves 3

Match report by Tim Nash

There have been times when Wolves have talked up expectations to try to satisfy a demanding public.

Sir Jack Hayward did it amid the first wave of big spending in the early 1990s. His son Jonathan infamously told fans to get their money on Wolves to win the title a few years later.

By contrast, this new Molineux regime made a decision in the summer to play down talk of promotion for fear of strangling this team with additional expectations. From owner-chairman Steve Morgan down, the 'P' word was banned.

So it's ironic that the one time the board felt the need to control expectations, the team are blowing the rest of the field away on an avalanche of goals, playing a brand of football that's a delight to watch.

It will be no surprise to hear Mick McCarthy continue to talk of not getting carried away and saying his team aren't any better than anything else in the Championship.

Six successive wins sees them closing in on a club record eight from the promotion seasons of 1966-67 and 1988-89.

They are also one win away from their best start since 1949-50, when they went on to win nine and draw three of their first 12 games.

Preston had no answer to the pace, strength and attacking football that saw Wolves open up a 3-0 lead before the late sendings off of Chris Iwelumo and Wayne Hennessey.

You could argue the visitors rode their luck when - just as he had done at Portman Road - Richard Stearman survived a handball and 'over the line' call from his goalline clearance from Neil Mellor after 10 minutes.

But you could also argue that the officials did their jobs, and Stearman did his.

Wolves were well on top by the time Iwelumo broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, his overhead kick leaving keeper Andy Lonergan stunned as it bounced across him and into the far corner.

Jones had taken the corner from which Neill Collins headed against bar seconds before, while Michael Kightly and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had forced saves from the Preston keeper, who had been relieved to see a 30-yard piledriver from Stearman fly inches over.

Kevin Foley also had a goalbound drive palmed away as Wolves dominating most of the half until just before half-time.

That was when Preston had two efforts ruled out for offside, and justice was done as Hennessey was buffeted and should have won a free kick - both managers agreed he was fouled - before Mellor struck.

The flag went up early anyway for the second, when Barry Nicholson bundled home after Hennessey defelected Jon Parkin's shot against the post.

The decisions sparked plenty of anger among the Preston ranks, and in attempt to show support for referee Martin Atkinson, McCarthy was shown to the stands for applauding him.

Both Kightly and Dave Jones wasted shooting chances before Iwelumo made it 2-0 in the 66th minute, stabbing home Kightly's cross after a superb break from substitute Andy Keogh.

Iwelumo then had Lonergan at full stretch from a flying header.

But the 30-year-old wasn't to be denied his second treble in professional football as he casually netted high to the keeper's left from the spot after Billy Jones took out Kightly following another Keogh pass.

Three minutes later and with the game won, referee Atkinson sent off Iwelumo for his part in a head-to-head with Sean St Ledger despite both players alleging no contact had been made in an off-the-ball incident.

Atkinson still wasn't finished as he branished a red to Hennessey for bringing down Mellor when there appeared to be cover, the former Liverpool striker scoring a consolation from the spot against Jason Shackell.

Now the focus switches back to Molineux where Wolves face two more promotion contenders in Bristol City and Reading.

Carl Ikeme will almost certainly be in goal while Iwelumo will be hoping his red card is rescinded.

But whatever team trots out, you get the feeling they will be in no mood to surrender this run.

Teams:

Preston: Lonergan; Billy Jones, Mawene, St Ledger, Hart; Nicholson, McKenna (Whaley 77), Carter, Sedgwick (Wallace 64); Parkin (Elliott 69), Mellor. Subs not used: Jarrett, Neal.

Wolves: Hennessey; Foley, Stearman, Collins, S Ward; Kightly, Henry, David Jones (Edwards 69), Jarvis (Shackell 90); Iwelumo, Ebanks-Blake (Keogh 61). Subs not used: Vokes, Ikeme.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Leeds)

Attendance: 17,567