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Championship
Apr 6, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
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0-1

 
FT(HT: 0-0)
Neves (68')

Live Commentary: Cardiff City 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Cardiff City 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers - as it happened: ID:322792: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's live commentary of Wolverhampton Wanderers' 1-0 win over title challengers Cardiff City.

Wolverhampton Wanderers took a big step towards automatic promotion to the Premier League after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Cardiff City.

Ruben Neves' 67th-minute curling free kick looked to be enough for the visitors, who are now five points from sealing a place in the top flight.

However, Cardiff contrived to miss two penalties in stoppage time as Wolves held on for a famous win, in front of the biggest crowd for a Bluebirds game in over 40 years.

Relive all the action with Sports Mole's live text commentary.

Hello and welcome to an intruiging clash at the top of the Championship as second-placed Cardiff City host leaders Wolves.
So, let's bring you all the latest team news from South Wales.
CARDIFF XI: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Bryson, Paterson, Hoilett, Wildschut, Zohore
Subs: Murphy, Manga, Pilkington, Mendez-Laing, Damour, Traore, Madine

WOLVES XI: Ruddy, Boly, Coady, Bennett, Doherty, Douglas, Saiss, Neves, Jota, Afobe, Bonatini
Subs: Norris, N'Diaye, Batth, Cavaleiro, Costa, Gibbs-White, Hause

Well, changes aplenty from both sides. Four from Wolves and three from Cardiff after both sides drew in midweek.
For the hosts, Peltier, Wildschut and Bryson come into the starting lineup. Marko Grujic, who has been a lucky charm of late, is not in the squad.
Also, Bruno Manga and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing are the other absentees from the draw with Sheffield United this week. The pair are on the bench.
No place for Joe Ralls or Matt Connolly, who were doubts before the game. They are left out of the matchday squad altogehter.
In addition, both Jazz Richards and Danny Ward remain sidelined for the Welsh outfit, but there are no other injury concerns for Neil Warnock's men
Meanwhile, Wolves welcome back both Matt Doherty and star midfielder Ruben Neves make their returns after sitting out the 2-2 draw with Hull
However, Nuno Espirito Santo has opted to make changes in attack, with Leo Bonatini and Benik Afobe leading the line for the Black Country side.
Alfred N'Diaye, Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro have all dropped to the bench and Roderick Miranda will not feature at all tonight after being dropped.
However, Diego Jota is retained is what should be a three-man attack alongside Afobe and Bonatini. Expect Wolves to line up in a 3-4-3 formation.
For Cardiff, this evening represents a huge chance to make further ground on Wolves at the top of the table and their form has been electric.
Indeed, the Bluebirds are unbeaten in their last 13 games and have won 10 in time and their record against Wolves will give them plenty of hope.
The Welsh side have also won their last seven at home in the league. The last time they won eight in a row was back in December 2012 - the year the lifted the Championship title
That form earned Neil Warnock the Manager of the Month award for March, but none of his players featured in the Championship Team of the Season.
Have Cardiff lost a good luck charm in Liverpool loanee Marko Grujic. The Serbian, is yet to taste defeat. Interestingly, Warnock is telling Sky Sports that there are "a few niggles" around the squad.
Perhaps, the secret to Cardiff's success is keeping players on the pitch. Omar Bogle's sending off against Bristol City earlier in the campaign is the Bluebirds only red card so far.
Cardiff will also look to Kenneth Zohore as a major threat against Wolves. Zohore has scored four goals and provided two assists in his last seven games (he failed to score and provided just one assist in the previous eight).
However, Wolves come to South Wales with one of the best defences in the Championship. Only Cardiff have conceded fewer.
They are also the top scorers in the division (73 goals). The goalscoring prowess of Diogo Jota, who has netted 19 times, has made a significant contribution to that tally.
However, the Easter weekend proved to the difficult for the Championship pacesetters, who lost at Boro on Good Friday before being held to a draw at home by lowly Hull.
Indeed, Wolves have struggled to maintain their lead in the run-in. The leaders were 13 points clear in mid-February after a win against QPR, but since then, they have taken 21 points from a possible 45.
If they are to win tonight, they will need the creative juices of Barry Douglass in full flow. His 14 assists are the most by a Wolves player in the second tier since Michael Kightly's 18 in 2008-09.
It may come down to a solitary goal tonight and Wolves have a habit of holding on to lead, having won 25 games in the 28 where they scored first (D3).
However, Wolves boast a poor defensive record at the Cardiff City Stadium. They bost only one clean sheet in their last 12 visits.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side have at least stabilised of late and are unbeaten in the last four outings. Their fifth outing will be in front of a record crowd in Cardiff.
As mentioned, Cardiff City are expecting a big crowd and this could be their biggest attendance in more than 40 years!
HEAD TO HEAD: Wolves do at least have a better overall record against Cardiff (W27, D14, L19), but they have lost four of the last five encounters.
Cardiff have also won the last two meetings at this stadium. Can they make it a hat-trick?
PREDICTION: As the teams are out on the pitch, it is time for a prediction and this could a difficult one. However, with Wolves only eight points from promotion, a draw won't be a bad thing. I'm going for 1-1.
The managers are shaking hands. A reminder of the team news. Three changes for Cardiff, four for Wolves. The stadium will be paying tribute to the late, great Ray Wilkins before the game. A wave of applause and chants of "One Ray Walkins" ring out.
KICKOFF: Cardiff get the game underway.
Immediately, Wolves are looking to knock the ball around. Cardiff go to sleep and Afobe sneaks in down the right. Morrison clears the danger.
Cries for a free kick as Conor Coady goes for the ball with Hoilett in possession. Referee Mike Dean agrees with Coady's opinion. Replays show it's a reasonable challenge.
SHOT! End-to-end stuff. Bamba gets a mismatch against the much shorter Neves and the Cardiff man has chances from two successive corners.
Wolves will be happy to have Doherty back on the pitch. The right back his having his best season in front of goal, having netted four times.
SAVE! Neves takes aim from distance and brings the first save out of Etheridge. He should be saving that.
SAVE! Another save from Etheridge as Jota smashes an effort goalwards. The Cardiff stopper is equal to that one too.
Jota is dribbling like a man with all the time in the world! That is until he slips on the turf. Wolves are dominating possession (75%)
FOUL! Zohore gets goalside of Boly on the right flank and the defender can't resist but have nibble. Free kick in a dangerous area, but comes to nothing as Ruddy collects.
This time Hoilett wrestles with Boly, but the centre-back gets the decision. The defender is seeing plenty of action early on.
CHANCE! Zohore again involved as he tries his luck on the edge of the box and Ruddy needs to be alert to tip the ball around.
That was a rare lapse from Coady, who has made the switch to sweeper successfully. He was playing at right-back last year.
Hoilett is looking for the referee's whistle for the challenge by Neves, but the whistle is silent. The game has been absorbing so far.
Jota tries to cut through the Cardiff backline, but Bennett cuts out the pass before Afobe can strike.
Afobe runs on to a long ball, and tries to best Bennett, only for the defender to shepherd his opponent away from goal.
Morrison make an important challenge to nick the ball out of Douglas' path. Wolves are probing, but the blue wall is firm so far.
I mentioned that the game is absorbing, but we have only had two shots on target as we near the half-hour mark - both from Wolves!
Bonatini is in a heap after Morrison's tackle. He's gets to his feet and rolling around for a few seconds. He's going to be just fine!
Zohore and Boly are again contesting for the ball. Peltier then tries to play in Zohore on the right side of the box, but over hits the pass.
FOUL! This time Boly is penalised for a push on Zohore. Another chance to get bodies in the box.
Interesting! Mike Dean has a long look at Doherty's marking of Morrison and decides against a penalty, but the wing-back is clearly grabbing at the Morrison in order to stop him heading the ball
Zohore wastes a great opportunity to put a dangerous cross in after Patterson's good work. What a waste!
CHANCE! Joe Bennett goes close for Cardiff. He breaks into the left side of the box, but can't decide whether to shoot or cross!
SAVE! Wildschut with an unconventional free kick from 30 yards out. He strikes with a side-footed shot, but one with plenty of power. Ruddy initially misjusges, but parries away.
That shot was also Cardiff's first effort on target, six minutes before the break. It's testament to a fairly good display so far from Wolves at the back.
Neves looks to get going with a through pass and Etheridge is alive to the danger and sprints out to collect before Wolves can make anything of it.
Paterson rises well to beat Boly to the header, but Wolves escape. Zohore is getting plenty of work. Cardiff's best spell to date.
Hoilett eventually gets to his feet after Doherty's challenge in winning the header. Warnock and Blackwell are angry that Wolves didn't put the ball out sooner.
FOUL! Doherty recieves some rough treatment himself and Gunnarsson trips the wide man.
One minute left in the first half.
HALF TIME: Cardiff City 0-0 Wolves
Well, both sides had plenty of intent, but little execution. I think this is going how Wolves would like it to and, as it stands, they are one point closer to promotion.
STATS: As mentioned before, Wolves are getting plenty of ball (68% possession), but no yellow cards so far. By the way both Cardiff and Wolves have only been shown 65 yellow cards each.
BENCH WATCH: The visitors do have plenty of attacking options to call upon in the second half, with Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro on the bench. Cardiff may turn to Mendez-Laing or Gary Madine as they try to break the deadlock.
However, they may need to pepper the Wolves goal more, if they are to keep their brilliant run going. They have had eight attempts, but only one on target.
I think the return of Neves, with Champions League experience and terrific passing, has settled Wolves. His play really makes the visitors click and look more assured.
A win for Cardiff would really keep the chasing pack at the bay. The gap to Fulham is five points with the Cottagers playing tomorrow. Meanwhile, the players are due out any second.
KICKOFF: We're back underway in South Wales.
Jeers as Boly heads a long ball from Bamba out of play. Gunnarsson lines up a long throw, but the ball bounces off Morrison's head and out of play.
By the way, no changes for either side during the interval, but I wonder whether Nuno is planning changes!
HITS THE POST! Bonatini takes advantage of Bamba stepping out of defence. He rounds Etheridge and tries a cheeky finish from the tightest of angles and hits the post.
CARDIFF SUB: In clearing that ball after Bonatini's shot, Paterson appeared to twist his back and can't continue. Mendez-Laing is the replacement.
Immediately, it looks like that change sees Hoilett switching to the left flank, with Mendez-Laing on the right.
CHANCE! Hoilett's cross is headed away by Bennett, but only to Bryson on his wrong foot and the finish was miscued. The ball seemed to sit up to be smashed goalwards!
Hoilett tries to make another delivery to the back post and again Wolves get it clear. I think the visitors are plotting to bring on Costa.
Cardiff appear to be very much in the ascendency here, but delivery into the box has been lacking.
WOLVES SUB: Costa finally makes his appearance in place of Bonatini. Wolves have had the most goals come from subtitutes this season (10).
Wildschut looks to weave a path through the Wolves backline, but settles for the corner. Another Gunnarsson throw is pleted into the box, but the visitors survive.
Hoilett is getting plenty of joy since switching flanks and pumps in another cross, but Boly heads away.
YELLOW CARD: The first booking of the night for Peltier as he pulls down Afobe outside the area. Nuno visibly thinks it should be more and he looked to be the last man.
The follow up free kick from Neves was well over. More reminiscent of a Dan Bigger penalty a bit down the road in the Welsh capital.
Apparently, Paterson withdrawal is due to a rib injury and Bonatini is also off due to a niggle. Wolves are also readying another change.
YELLOW CARD: Morrison in the book as he is deemed to catch Jota. The defender protests and replays appear to back him up.
WOLVES SUB: That was Jota's last action as Cavaleiro is on in his place.
GOAL! Cardiff City 0-1 Wolves (Neves)
Quite stunning from the youngster! An inch-perfect free kick into the left corner. Etheridge gets his right hand to it, but can only parry it in. He had no chance.
Mike Dean pauses the game after a flare is thrown on from the Wolves end, but we carry on and Bennett shanks a free kick high and wide
CLOSE! Nearly a second from the brilliant Neves. His curling effort not far wide of the target.
As it stands, Wolves are only five points from promotion to the Premier League! Exciting times in the Black Country.
CARDIFF SUB: Madine is on in place of Wildschut. Warnock rolling the dice with an extra forward.
Morrison is complaining that Saiss has pulled down the Cardiff man, but it looks clear as day that Morrison has backed into his marker.
YELLOW CARD: This time Saiss is penalised for a tackle on Mendez-Laing on the left touchline. He didn't need to make the challenge!
Hoilett, back on the right wing, is certainly putting in plenty of effort, but a final cross fails to stay in touch.
WOLVES SUB: Final change sees N'Diaye on for Afobe, who has been the quieter of Wolves' front line.
Warnock quickly tries to get the ball back to his player for a throw and that causes consternation among the Wolves bench. It's not like Neil Warnock to start an argument, isn't it?
Wolves' officials have apparently complained about Cardiff timewasting. I'm not sure what City get from running down the clock.
Meanwhile, Bamba was flagged as another move breaks down. Time is running out fast for the hosts to claim anything for the game.
SHOT! The imposing N'Diaye tries a shot towards the near post of Etheridge. I'd barely call it a save, but a save it is.
CLOSE! Ruddy is rooted to the spot as Gunnarsson after briefly struggling to get the ball under control. The Icelandic player is so close to an equaliser.
CLOSE! Costa almost scores at the other end (and probably should). He latches on to Neves' lofted pass and beats Peltier, but fires wide.
CLOSE! First Cavaleiro strikes straight at Etheridge and could have scored had he placed it either side of the keeper.
YELLOW CARD: Costa gets himself in the book for a high foot as he tries to block Etheridge's clearance from hand. He doesn't need to go for it and needlessly gets booked.
Five more minutes of added time left for Cardiff to get something, or for Wolves to hold on.
Costa gifted the ball and tries to run some time off the clock. However, Cardiff earn a throw. They need down the other end as quickly as possible.
PENALTY TO CARDIFF!
What is Conor Coady doing! His hands are all over the back of Pilkington. Madine is over the ball...
He misses! It's a telegraphed spot kic from Madine, but it's low to Ruddy's left-hand corner and he does well to turn it around!
ANOTHER PENALTY!
Cavaleiro slides in on Gunnarsson and they argue it's outside. It's a definite penalty! Hoilett steps up...
OFF THE BAR!!
FULL TIME: Cardiff City 0-1 Wolves
As I take a breath, Cardiff should arguably have won at the end, but a missed Gary Madine penalty. Then Junior Hoilett rifles another spot kick against the woodwork. Dramatic stuff at the end, but Wolves are on course for the Premier League.
I should say, Warnock refuses to shake hands with Nuno or a few Wolves players. He seems aggrieved with something, but Wolves take the spoils and with Fulham and the chasing pack to play this weekend, the race for automatic promotion could hot up. However, that brings us to the end of our commentary for this evening. Thank you for joining us for a terrific game. Good night!

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