Wolves 1 Preston 0 - Report

Wolves ended the season with three points as they beat Preston 1-0 at Molineux.

Captain Danny Batth netting the winning goal as early as the first minute when he nodded home Jordan Graham's corner.

The winger made his first start since January 2016 and enjoyed an impressive comeback in what was a comfortable Wolves victory.

Bright Enobakhare hit the post and spurned another great chance but Paul Lambert's team had to settle for 1-0 as they ended the season in 15th.

Analysis

It took them a while – 23 games in fact – but Wolves finally, belatedly managed to produce a convincing 90-minute performance and victory at home.

It wasn't exactly a buccaneering, carefree thrashing of the Lillywhites. But Wolves generally in control, with minimal fuss, writes Tim Spiers at Molineux.

They played some nice football, created a number of chances and kept the mistakes to a minimum. Which begs the question...where has this kind of performance been all season at home.

True, the game mattered little and Preston gave a power-puff performance. However, after some truly awful afternoons at Molineux in 2016/17 it was a reward for Wolves' long-suffering supporters to enjoy 90 minutes in the Wolverhampton sunshine.

Lambert made five changes from the team that lost 3-1 at Derby.

In came Graham, Batth, Silvio, Andreas Weimann and Bright Enobakhare who made his first start since February 14.

Mike Williamson, Ben Marshall and the suspended Ivan Cavaleiro dropped out of the squad altogether, while George Saville and Lee Evans were on the bench.

With both teams having nothing to play for it came of little surprise to anyone that the first half was a pedestrian, sedate affair played out in the Molineux sunshine.

There was very little goalmouth action to speak of, but Wolves did quietly impress with some decent football on the floor, with their passing a marked improvement on recent weeks.

The best example of this was when Preston's forwards were snapping away as Wolves played it around in their own third, but they refused to hoof it forward and despite a couple of hairy moments 10 passes later they were into midfield and away.

The star of the half was undoubtedly Graham, who looked back to his old self at times, teasing his marker and effortlessly sauntering inside and out before delivering a cross that was usually on the money.

He was certainly on target with his early corner just 60 seconds in which found Batth's head for the opening goal.

It made you wonder where Wolves may have been with a fit and firing Graham on the left wing and Helder Costa the right this season. Graham provided eight assists in his 12 appearances last season and with service to the strikers a huge problem for Wolves his presence would likely have made a big difference.

Silvio, too, was impressing behind Graham and linking well with the winger. With both players being two-footed they were hard to contain. Indeed, Preston right back Tyias Browning was given the hook after just 52 minutes.

At this juncture Wolves had moved up a couple of gears and were in control of the game. They should have doubled their lead when Enobakhare somehow hit the post from 12 yards when it looked easier to score.

Then Dicko prodded at the keeper when clear in the box, Graham curled one over, as did Enobakhare, while Silvio hammered a 25-yard rocket just past the post.

Enobakhare was getting in some great positions but, as has been the case this season, his end product just wasn't quite there. He missed a glorious chance to score his first ever league goal for Wolves when through on goal...but overdid it before shooting straight at the keeper.

He stood head in hands, looking distraught, before Lambert made a point of telling him to keep his chin up, then put a encouraging arm around the shoulder when the youngster came to the touchline for a drink.

Thereafter the pace slowed again. The crowd kept themselves entertained, Graham got a great ovation when he departed, Dicko got a couple of shots away in what was another showing of the Dicko of old, as at Derby last week...and that was it.

Now the real work begins.

Key moments

1 - GOAL - Jordan Graham's inswinging corner is met by Danny Batth who heads home for his fourth goal of the season.

48 - Nouha Dicko races down the right all the way to the byline before cutting back for Bright Enobakhare – he's got a free shot 12 yards out but hits his left-footed effort against the post.

59 - Romain Saiss plays Enobakhare through on goal with no defender for sight. He has to score...but shoots straight at the keeper.

Teams

Wolves (4-2-3-1): Burgoyne; Coady, Batth (c), Hause, Silvio; Edwards, Saiss, Weimann (Iorfa, 87), Enobakhare, Graham (Mason, 64); Dicko (Bodvarsson, 77). Subs: Lonergan, Stearman, Saville, Evans.

Goals: Batth (1)

Preston (4-4-2): Maxwell; Browning (Huntington, 52), Baptiste,Boyle, Spurr; Barkhuizen (Horgan, 71), Pearson, Gallager (c), McGeady; Hugill (Beckford, 66), May. Subs: Hudson, Browne, Johnson, Robinson.

Attendance: 20,163 (863 Preston fans)

Referee: Darren England (Yorkshire)