Sheff Wed 0 Wolves 1
Wolves underlined their return to form with their second away-day success in a week at Sheffield Wednesday. Wolves underlined their return to form with their second away-day success in a week at Sheffield Wednesday. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's fifth minute goal – his 23rd of the season to match his Championship Golden Boot tally last term – put Mick McCarthy's leaders in firm control at Hillsborough. See our photo gallery here Ebanks-Blake netted with a simple downward header from Michael Kightly's left-footed cross. Wolves went on to reproduce the dominant performance that saw them end their five-match winless run at Crystal Palace in midweek, in a game where defence was largely on top. Midfielders Dave Edwards and George Friend both headed wide for the visitors, before Edwards whistled a 20-yarder inches wide as Wolves attempted to turn the screw in another confident display. But it was Wednesday – who included former Wolves players Michael Gray and Leon Clarke – who wasted the best opportunity of the first period, when Jermaine Johnson ballooned over with only keeper Wayne Hennessey to beat. Earlier, the excellent Jody Craddock made a goal-saving tackle on former team-mate Clarke after he was left one-on-one. But nothing should be taken away from Wolves as they pretty much controlled play from start to finish and played some excellent football on a difficult, bobbly pitch. Chances were few and far between in the second half which saw Hill and substitute Andy Keogh and Richard Stearman booked. The only save of the second half saw Hennessey smother Johnson's angled, side-footed effort after Wednesday's 12-goal top scorer Marcus Tudgay crossed following a mix up between the otherwise excellent Christphe Berra and Hill. Wolves, who made just one change from the side that beat Palace, made light of the enforced absence of skipper Karl Henry as the recalled Dave Jones formed an impressive alliance alongside the energetic Dave Edwards in central midfield. McCarthy's side now have the incentive of two home games to look forward to, starting with a visit of Ipswich on Tuesday, having picked up a maximum return from their last two matches.
Manager Mick McCarthy is confident that Wolves' wobble is over after they made it two away wins out of two this week with a 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's fourth-minute goal was enough for Wolves to take all three points and stay out in front in the Coca-Cola Championship.
After recording only their second win since December 20 by beating Crystal Palace in midweek, Wolves now look to be back in form as they approach the final hurdles in the promotion race.
"I hope that's the case," McCarthy said. "The performance would suggest that and of course the result would as well. We've played well in the last couple of games."
With the match barely under way, Ebanks-Blake got in front of Richard Hinds to head home Michael Kightly's cross at the far post.
The match was more comfortable than the final result suggested as Wolves could have added a couple more in the first half before digging in after the break to make sure there was no way back for Wednesday.
"I thought we were excellent in the first half," said McCarthy. "They broke on us once from a free-kick and Jermaine Johnson had a glorious chance and blazed over but other than that I don't think anything caused us any problems."
Indeed, it was Wolves who went closest to a second with Kightly denied at close range by Lee Grant before George Friend headed just wide.
The second half was a different story as chances became few and far between for both sides, Johnson again wasting the best of them as he met Marcus Tudgay's cross with a weak shot in the 77th minute.
"In the second half I expected Sheffield Wednesday to make more of a fist of it and they did but I don't think (goalkeeper) Wayne Hennessey was diving around making too many saves," McCarthy said.
With Birmingham beating Southampton, Wolves needed this win to remain three points clear at the top as the race for promotion hots up.
"We're top of the league, everyone's chasing us and snapping at our heels so what words can you find to stress how important it is to win games?" McCarthy said. "It's vitally important."
For Wednesday, this is a second narrow home defeat to a promotion contender in quick succession following the 2-1 loss to Reading on Tuesday night.
"I would say it tells us how far away we are rather than how close," Brian Laws said of the results. I look at it this way – both teams have got themselves in a position now where they've got to be solid.
"They're not really interested in how they play, it's more about results and today really typified that from Wolves."
Laws revealed he had chosen to rest Mark Beevers and replace him with Hinds, but was left to question that decision after seeing the ease with which Wolves scored.
"The goal was really, really disappointing because it was basic schoolboy stuff," he said. "We've allowed them to put in a simple cross from a throw-in and then we have a static defender.
"They got the goal they needed and then the game became a battle because they were fighting to keep hold of it and didn't let us play football.
"Well done to them. They know how to win a game 1-0 and we don't."
By Ian Parker
