SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 9 hrs 16 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
WL
Championship
Feb 3, 2018 at 5.30pm UK
 
SU

3-0

Neves (5'), Jota (30'), Cavaleiro (77')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Moore (73')

Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Sheffield United to restore 11-point lead

:Headline: Result: Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Sheffield United to restore 11-point lead: ID:317893: from db_amp
Wolverhampton Wanderers restore their 11-point gap at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-0 win over playoff-chasing Sheffield United at Molineux.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have restored their 11-point lead at the top of the Championship table courtesy of a 3-0 win over Sheffield United at Molineux this evening.

The leaders, who had only won one of their previous five games across all competitions prior to today's match, took just five minutes to break the deadlock through Ruben Neves and added a second on the half-hour mark courtesy of a Diogo Jota strike.

There was more bad news for Sheffield United when goalkeeper Simon Moore was sent off with just over 15 minutes remaining, and Wolves went on to make the most of their numerical advantage as Ivan Cavaleiro made it 3-0 shortly afterwards.

The defeat leaves the Blades five points adrift of the playoff places, while Wolves remain clear at the top having taken another step towards winning automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

Wolves made a quick start to the match with Helder Costa flashing a volley narrowly wide even before they took the lead in the fifth minute.

The opener arrived in style too as Neves collected the ball 25 yards from goal and took a touch before curling a fine finish into the top corner.

Sheffield United responded well to that early setback, though, and threatened to level things up quickly when Ricky Holmes's cross was only cleared as far as Ched Evans, who fired his effort over the crossbar.

Despite that fast start, clear chances were few and far between at both ends of the field until Wolves doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark, when Jota exchanged passes with Cavaleiro before tucking his finish into the bottom corner.

Cavaleiro came close himself moments later with a scuffed effort which Moore gratefully collected, before John Ruddy was forced into his first save of the match to deny James Wilson's low strike.

Wolves were soon back on the front foot, though, and both Willy Boly and Alfred N'Diaye came close from corners towards the end of the first half as the hosts looked to extend their lead.

Sheffield United looked the most likely in the early stages of the second half, though, and Holmes squandered a good chance shortly after the hour mark when he sliced an effort wide of the target.

Leo Bonatini was the next to come close for Wolves, though, and the hosts' hopes of seeing out the victory improved even further with just 17 minutes remaining when Moore was giving his marching orders having come off his line and collided with both Jota and referee Darren Bond.

Wolves immediately took full advantage of that from the resulting free kick when Cavaleiro's effort took a deflection off the wall on its way past substitute keeper Jake Eastwood.

Deadline-day signing Benik Afobe was brought on for his second Wolves debut moments later, and he almost marked his return to the club with a goal when he roses highest to meet Matt Doherty's cross, only to plant his header narrowly wide of the target.

The hosts never looked in any danger of letting their lead slip in the closing stages, though, as Wolves made it back-to-back wins, while Sheffield United have now lost successive matches for the first time since December.

WOLVES (3-4-3): Ruddy; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, N'Diaye, Neves, Douglas; Costa (Bonatini, 65'), Jota (Gibbs-White, 81'), Cavaleiro (Afobe, 77')

SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): Moore; Basham (Leonard, 71'), Stearman, O'Connell; Baldock, Evans, Holmes (Donaldson, 71'), Fleck, Stevens; Clarke, Wilson (Eastwood, 76')

amp_article__317893 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-02-05 20:24:10:
html db last update - 2021-03-06 17:22:57 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .