Wolves 3 Watford 1
Wolves got their promotion hopes back on track with a 3-1 victory over Watford at Molineux thanks to goals from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Andy Keogh and substitute Sam Vokes.Wolves got their promotion hopes back on track with a 3-1 victory over Watford at Molineux thanks to goals from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Andy Keogh and substitute Sam Vokes. With Reading and Birmingham both drawing, Wolves moved four points clear at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship. See our photo gallery here For the full match report see today's Shropshire Star.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was relieved after his side ended a poor run where his team gained just three points from a possible 15 with a 3-1 defeat of Watford.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake grabbed his 50th career league goal to open the scoring for Wolves before strike partner Andy Keogh and substitute Sam Vokes scored after the break to ensure Mick McCarthy's side stay at the summit.
Hornets defender Adrian Mariappa did trigger a nervous finish with a late strike but Vokes wrapped up the win with a great header in the last minute.
"I'm relieved – we haven't won for five games," said the former Republic of Ireland boss.
"I found it interesting that so much gets made of it when we are top of the league."
The Wolves manager said his team had remained calm while supporter's nerves had been jangling.
"When all around you everyone is getting manic you have to keep calm," he said.
Wanderers were not convincing and Watford can count themselves unlucky not to have got anything from the game.
Wolves' first goal came at a crucial time.
In the 23rd minute, Kyel Reid's corner was headed across the box by Richard Stearman for Ebanks-Blake to score from four yards.
Watford were unlucky to have a goal early in the second half disallowed for a foul on the Wolves goalkeeper, a crucial decision for the outcome of the game.
Andy Keogh scored another simple goal in the 67th minute from a Michael Kightly cross.
But with less than 10 minutes to go, Mariappa pulled a goal back from inside the six-yard box and Watford pressed on for an equaliser.
Vokes replaced Ebanks-Blake in the 84th minute and six minutes later headed home to make it 3-1.
Watford manager Brendan Rodgers refused to criticise his players.
He said: "I'm very proud of the performance but disappointed with the goals.
"Obviously the first one from a corner the second one from a breakaway from our free-kick, the third goal was decent goal – a good bit of quality.
"I think the scoreline flattered – I thought our performance was very good.
"It was interesting on that one the referee said it was kicked out of the keeper's hands but it looks tight to me. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't.
"We started the game well and conceded against the run of play. Second half we continued the level of performance. With a bit of luck today we could have got something from the game – I was proud of the performance."
The loss takes Watford into the bottom three.
"There are no concerns at this stage with 16 games left to go," said the Watford boss.
Wolves target Christophe Berra was in the stands and will be taking a medical this weekend.
If he passes, the Hearts defender will sign for Wolves on Monday after arriving with a reference from former Celtic manager Billy McNeill.
"If he passes the medical and I have no doubts he will be signed," said McCarthy, who revealed he had tried to sign the 24-year-old in the summer.
"He's a good defender who has the qualities of a centre half.
"He's good in the air – 6ft 3ins tall with that bit of pace. He was captain at Hearts.
"He got a glowing recommendation from Billy McNeill. He knows a few things about centre-halves – he signed me."
By Tim Nash
