Benik Afobe scored twice to help Wolverhampton Wanderers to a 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town at Molineux.
A first half of very few chances was just about edged by the hosts, who found the only goal of the opening 45 minutes through Kevin McDonald's well-taken strike.
It was then left to Afobe to add to his side's tally following the restart to make it back-to-back victories for Wanderers ahead of the international break.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship meeting between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Huddersfield Town at Molineux.
The day's early kickoff in the Football League sees a Terriers side who have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks face off against Kenny Jackett's rather inconsistent Wolves. Three wins, three draws and three defeats says everything about Wanderers' indifferent start to the season, but the 3-0 win at Craven Cottage in midweek suggests that reaching the playoffs remains the target once more.
Well the team news is already out at Molineux, so let's get straight into things by taking a look at how both sides line up for this final fixture before the two-week international break.
TEAM NEWS!
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Martinez; Iorfa, Batth, Hause, Golbourne; Henry, McDonald, Price, Ojo; Afobe, Le Fondre
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN XI: Steer; Davidson, Ward, Cranie, Lynch; Whitehead, Bunn, Huws, Scannell, Carayol; Miller
Changes have been kept to a minimum by both managers, then, as Kenny Jackett makes just the one alteration and Chris Powell names an unchanged side. Sheyi Ojo made a big impression from the bench in that win over Fulham last time out, and the Liverpool loanee has been handed a full start for the hosts in place of Nathan Byrne.
With skipper Mark Hudson still not fit enough for a place in the heart of defence, Powell has stuck with the same XI that battled to rescue a draw against Nottingham Forest nine days ago. That means a 150th start for Mustapha Carayol, while Joel Lynch maintains his record of playing every second of competitive action for his side this season.
BENCH WATCH!
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUBS: Ikeme, Doherty, Ebanks-Landell, Edwards, Wallace, Byrne, Enobakhare
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN SUBS: Allinson, Smith, Hudson, Hogg, Paterson, Wells, Billing
Byrne drops down to the Wolves bench, then, while Carl Ikeme is still seen as second best to Emiliano Martinez in goals. In terms of the visitors, there is a place among the matchday 18 for captain Mark Hudson, who has sat out the last four games through injury. Dean Whitehead takes over the armband in his absence.
Seyi Ojo comes into Wolves' starting lineup in their only alteration from last time out, while Huddersfield remain unchanged
Wolves will certainly come into this game with a real boost on the back of that 3-0 win on the banks of the Thames four days ago, but it has otherwise been a mixed bag of results for the Midlanders. Three defeats, three draws and three wins is classic mid-table form, which is not exactly where Jackett envisaged his side to be at this early stage.
On the other hand, Wanderers are still on track to achieving their aim of finishing inside the top six - a realistic target on the basis of last season - with just three points between themselves and a playoff place. A win today and it will be smiles all around, but defeat and questions may begin to be asked.
Indeed, with the club now up for sale following Steve Morgan's surprise announcement that he is to step aside, Wolves are a club now aiming to impress potential buyers. The way to do that is to win games and show that this side is capable of Premier League football, with three points this afternoon key to achieving that aim.
Wolves, who have lost just one of their last 12 games at Molineux, have had less than four days to prepare themselves for this game, while opponents Huddersfield last played nine days ago. Maybe that is too long a rest at this stage, but Powell certainly will not be complaining. His men are in decent form right now, and looking up for once rather than over their shoulders.
Seven points from the last nine, a run that includes wins over Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers, leaves the Terriers three points away from the drop zone and seven points off the playoffs. Nobody is suggesting that Powell can lead a charge for the top six just yet, but another win today and supporters will certainly begin to believe.
DID YOU KNOW? Huddersfield are one of just two sides this season - along with Brentford - to have failed to keep a clean sheet. They will be relying on the goals of Welshman Emyr Huws in attack, who has scored four goals in his three games since joining on loan.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Wolves are without a home win against Huddersfield in eight meetings now, stretching back to 1988. That run includes eight draws and eight defeats, so it is fair to say that the Terriers have enjoyed their trips to Molineux in recent times.
There is still time to listen to the thoughts of the Sports Mole team ahead of kickoff
KICKOFF! Huws and Bunn get us underway at Molineux in the day's early Championship fixture.
Huddersfield make the brighter start, firing in a shot on goal through Whitehead which was blocked on the edge of the box. Up the other end, Wolves regather and have a couple of corners cleared away in a lively start to the game.
Well the early signs suggest that both teams want maximum points today, which is always a key ingredient for an entertaining affair. It is no great surprise, in truth, as the Championship often pits together evenly matched teams.
SAVE! The first save of the match comes less than seven minutes in, as Carayol - making his 150th start today - fires in a well-struck effort from range which Martinez has to push aside. That one was heading for the bottom corner, with the away side looking very lively early on.
Miller is the latest to try his luck, curling an effort a few yards over the bar from all of 30 yards out. That's shot number three from the visitors - one of which was on target - as Powell's men continue to ask all the early questions.
SAVE! It is a superbly worked corner from the visitors, as Bunn and Huws link up to pick out Whitehead who could not get the better of Martinez at his near post.
Wolves have found themselves in some decent attacking positions in these opening 13 minutes or so, but there is no denying that Huddersfield have been much the brighter side. Still no goal to show for their efforts, though.
The hosts are unable to clear their lines, with a constant wave of passes in and around the box only being half-cleared. Huddersfield really need to make the most of this strong spell.
SHOT! Sheyi Ojo, the only fresh player in those Wanderers starting lineup, has probably been the hosts' best player so far. The Liverpool loanee's burst of pace relieves some of the pressure on his side, with Afobe eventually capitalising on Whitehead's miscued clearance to fire in a tame shot down the middle.
The first real quiet spell of the game, which comes after a frenetic opening 19 minutes or so. Both teams have looked confident on the ball in the attacking third, though it is the visitors who appear to be the more likely to make a breakthrough at the moment.
YELLOW CARD! An early booking for Cranie following his tug back on Ojo, which leaves the full-back walking a tightrope for the remainder. Wolves have weathered the storm well, and it is now they who are in control.
GOAL! WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (KEVIN MCDONALD)
It may have been a slow start for the hosts, but they have done well to turn the screw and open the scoring through Kevin McDonald. It was a fine individual goal, too, with the midfielder exchanging a quick one-two before curling one out of Steer's reach into the bottom corner.
Town just need to find their rhythm again after fading over these last 10 minutes. They looked so bright for large parts but have been restricted by their opponents since Whitehead's strike.
YELLOW CARD! Not a great deal of action since McDonald's well-taken goal, as both teams attempt to wrestle control of things. Huddersfield still unable to find any of the momentum they had in the opening 15 minutes or so, as Ojo lunges in to earn himself a yellow card.
Ojo, very lively so far this afternoon for large parts, gets to the byline and swings a ball in to the near-post area, but Steer read the danger well and was there to collect.
Kevin McDonald's strike a quarter of the way through this match is the difference between the two sides
The opening 23 minutes of this game suggested that we were in for a real entertaining affair, but it has been awfully quiet since McDonald found a way through. Wolves will be the happier of the two sitting as they do on a one-goal lead, but they will likely need a second goal if they are to take all three points.
Steer races out to clear away the ball before Le Fondre could get to it, but otherwise it is all still very tame. Iorfa's sloppy defending conceded a needless throw, which allowed Town to knock the ball around in a dangerous position only for Miller to be flagged for offside.
Huddersfield are forced into a rare piece of defending, with Iorfa's right-wing cross being cut out before it could reach Afobe. Six minutes to go until half time at Molineux.
Miller sends a ball through the middle for Carayol to race on to, but it is too slow from a Huddersfield perspective and Wolves easily deal with the danger. We have not seen any sort of opportunity since McDonald's goal which was nearly 20 minutes ago now.
Huddersfield have seen far more of the ball than their opponents over the last five minutes or so, but they have not asked any real questions of Wolves' backline. Half time could not come soon enough at the moment.
SAVE! A chance of note - at last! This half has badly petered out, but an in-form Huws lights up Molineux by timing his run to perfection and getting in behind the home side's defence. With the ball at his feet inside the box, the Welshman opened up his body and looked for the bottom corner, but it was simple enough for Martinez to handle down low.
HALF TIME: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
So Wolverhampton Wanderers take a one-goal lead into half time against Huddersfield Town on the back of an opening 45 minutes which contained very few clear-cut chances.
It was actually a very bright start to the game, with the visitors edging things in terms of possession in the attacking third of the field. Carayol and Whitehead both forced Martinez into making a save inside the opening 11 minutes at Molineux, while Afobe's weak effort was all Wolves had to show for their early efforts.
The breakthrough goal came 23 minutes in when McDonald curled one past steer after a quick one-two, and from that point on it was all very quiet. In fact, it took until just before the break for the next shot to come in, thanks to some decent individual work by Huws.
BENCH WATCH!
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUBS: Ikeme, Doherty, Ebanks-Landell, Edwards, Wallace, Byrne, Enobakhare
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN SUBS: Allinson, Smith, Hudson, Hogg, Paterson, Wells, Billing
Changes are unlikely at the break, in truth, but both managers certainly have a couple of options to choose from if they are looking to add to their attacking ranks. Fingers crossed the second half follows the pattern of the opening quarter of this game, as opposed to the bland period of play that followed McDonald's goal.
It was a fine goal from McDonald to open the scoring at Molineux in the first half
RESTART! No changes made by either side at the break, as Wolves get things back underway in the West Midlands.
Bunn looks to thread a ball through the middle for Carayol, but the pass had a little too much on it and Martinez was able to scoop up. Wolves went straight up the other end and forced a corner out of their opponents through Henry's positive attacking play.
Wolves still not fully settled at the back since the restart, with Huws in particular looking to capitalise. The hosts remaining strong at the moment, though, as Ojo lets one fly from 20 yards out up the other end.
CHANCE! Wolves come within inches of adding a second, as Iorfa swings in a cross from the right which Henry really should have scored from. The midfielder got his head to the ball, but could only glance it wide of the far post from close range.
Well I'm pleased to say the flow of the game has returned following a rather dire end to the first half, with both teams taking it in turns to get bodies forward. Huddersfield's latest attacking move ends with Davidson swinging in a cross for Martinez to easily collect.
Miller is forced on the outside slightly when on the ball inside the box, before firing in a shot that could only find the side-netting. Still the one goal in it, which could be about the change on the basis of these last couple of minutes.
It is all very frantic at the moment, which makes great viewing from a neutral perspective. Some quick thinking from a throw-in allows Wolves to attack 3-on-3, but Le Fondre is unable to control Henry's sweeping pass to see the home side's latest move break down.
SHOT! Henry takes aim from distance with a shot right down the middle. It was a pretty regulation stop for Steer in the end, however, who simply lifted his arms and kept hold of the ball. Nahki Wells has just replaced Mustapha Carayol for the visitors.
SAVE! A fine stop from Steer is all that stands between Wolverhampton Wanderers and a more comfortable two-goal lead. Afobe found space on the edge of the box and struck the ball well, only for Steer to get a strong hand to the ball to keep it out. Meanwhile, Byrne has just come on for Ojo.
Le Fondre has not done a great deal this afternoon, and he seemed to lose his balance when firing over from inside the box moments ago. Wolves very much on top, but they cannot seem to find a way through at the moment.
Still Wolves attack, and still Wolves cannot break down a stubborn Huddersfield defence. That one-goal margin seems to be enough at the moment, but Huddersfield will surely re-find their groove in due course.
GOAL! WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (BENIK AFOBE)
Wolves make this spell of domination count by bagging a potentially decisive second goal through Benik Afobe. I criticised Le Fondre for not really doing enough this afternoon a little earlier, but it was his unselfish play to square the ball for his teammate which created this goal. The loanee raced on to a ball over the top and put it on a plate for Afobe to finish from a few yards out.
PENALTY SHOUT! Well Le Fondre, clean through on goal, was brought down by Steer and the referee ran over with his hand in his pocket. Steer looked resigned to seeing red, but instead a yellow is shown to Le Fondre for simulation. I've seen four replays now and I honestly cannot tell whether that was the correct call. It was certainly a brave decision to make from the officials, and if I had to sway one way then I'd say it is the right call.
Henry sends a free kick from 25 yards wide of goal, as this highly entertaining second half continues. We have not really had any sort of breather yet, but it is Wolves who remain well in control.
Chris Powell's side have been very much second best this second half, but we still have 15 minutes left to play at Molineux
SHOT! Bunn sees his first-time shot sail over the bar, which is about to signal a double change. Chris Powell seems ready to roll the dice for a final time, as Price fires an effort on goal for Steer to get across and keep out.
Town need to make those changes because it is all Wolves at the moment, as it has been for the best part of the last half-hour or so. Wanderers looking good value to close in on the playoff zone at this rate.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN SUBS! Powell finally makes that double switch, bringing on Hogg and Paterson for Bunn and Huws.
SAVE! A rare attack from the visitors sees Wells fire a shot across goal, which Martinez does well to get a strong hand to, while Lynch also sees an attempt kept out. One goal from the Terriers really does change everything.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUB! Le Fondre is withdrawn as we enter the final six minutes or so, with Dave Edwards on in his place. Some further midfield steel for Wanderers to see this game out.
Until Huddersfield breach Martinez's net, Wolves will remain comfortable in the closing stages of this match. Incidentally, the attendance has just been announced at 18,000 - not the highest figure, but certainly not too bad for a televised game.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUB! Doherty has been thrown on for the final couple of minutes in place of a tiring Henry. That's all six alterations made now, so it is down to the players on the field.
GOAL! WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 3-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (BENIK AFOBE)
Three goals and three points for Wolves, which you have to say is fully deserved on the basis of this second-half display. Afobe has claimed a second of the afternoon, but yet again it was all about the pass. McDonald produced a superb assist to send his teammate away, allowing Wanderers' prized asset to slip the ball beyond Steer from five yards out.
So Wolves make certain of the points heading into the three minutes of added on time at Molineux.
YELLOW CARD! Dean Whitehead earns a yellow card as a result of a succession of fouls. No way through for Huddersfield as we approach the final seconds.
FULL TIME: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 3-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Wolves comfortable winners in the end, then, which takes them into the playoff zone. For Huddersfield, on the other hand, they must now stew on that defeat over the next fortnight.
A first half of very few chances was just about edged by the hosts, who found the only goal of the opening 45 minutes through Kevin McDonald's well-taken strike. It was then left to Benik Afobe to add to his side's tally following the restart to make it back-to-back victories for Wanderers ahead of the international break.
That concludes our live text coverage of events at Molineux, but be sure to stick around with commentary from this afternoon's match between Leeds United and Birmingham City about to begin.
