Wolves 4 - 3 Leeds
Wolves have been on a great run at the moment, but if this season has taught anyone in the Championship it is that there are no easy games (except Blackpool) and that one result can change so much (see Middlesbrough's fall from 1st to 4th with one result on Monday).
Wolves came into the match unbeaten in 5 and having won their last 3 games and sitting just outside the playoff places. In contrast, Leeds were languishing in mid-table, and had lost their last game to Blackburn. Leeds have been again mired in controversy off the pitch - Neil Redfearn said that he was considering his position after his assistant, Steve Thompson, was fired in the week; Redfearn had also been requested not to play striker, Mirco Antenucci in their game against Blackburn as it is reported that he will be automatically given a new contract with 2 more goals this season; and there have been more rumours about takeovers from Red Bull amongst others.
However, at this stage of the season the pressure of a promotion chase can either make or break teams (note: Derby for 'break'). This pressure appeared to get to Kevin McDonald. He allowed himself to be pressured into slamming his clearance straight into Richard Stearman right in front of his own goal in the 11th minute, gifting Charlie Taylor his first senior goal for Leeds with a relative tap-in.
The goal came completely against the run of play and Wolves seemed confident in their game and continued to play as they had before, dominating possession and constantly looking for their deadly trio up front - Dicko, Sako and Afobe.
This paid off in the 19th minute as Afobe got the ball from the adventurous Dominic Iorfa on the right hand side. Afobe took his man on and flashed a shot across goal which was going wide until Dicko stole in at the back post to finish from an extremely acute angle.
J has been to a couple of Wolves games this season now and a key feature in their game is the directness of the passing that looks to feed one of Sako, Dicko or Afobe. When there is pace to burn in all 3 it is a very effective tactic. Just before half time a similar through ball from Sako played in Dicko. He was one on one but still around 20 yards out but chose to hit it early hard and low at the goalkeeper's near post. It took him by surprise and it flashed in off the post. Silvestri will probably think that he should have saved it, but it meant that Wolves went into the break in high spirits.
This showed from the outset and they scored again 3 minutes into the second half. A cross caused mayhem in the Leeds box and it looked for all the world that Danny Batth would score when he struck a shot from about 12 yards out until it hit Dicko in the six yard box, luckily the ball rebounded to Benik Afobe who gobbled up the rebound for his 29th goal of the season.
Afobe now has 10 goals in 16 games for Wolves and has been worth the money spent on prising him from Arsenal. Wolves upturn in fortune has coincided with his capture and he now has more goals than Harry Kane in total this season. According to whoscored.com he has 2.4 shots on average per game for Wolves, proving he has a keen eye for goal with a goal in every other game for them so far this season on average.
At this point in the game it looked like Leeds were there for the taking, but Wolves seemed to be struck by nerves and sat back. They invited pressure from Leeds who duly obliged with Alex Mowatt seemingly at the heart of all their good moments. Mowatt was based in the middle but also on the right hand wing with licence to roam inside as and when he wanted to put the ball on his favoured left foot. One such foray inside the pitch brought Leeds a way back in as his cross was turned into his own net by Batth. Carl Ikeme in goal must not have given him a shout as he came out to collect the cross and it was a comical own goal that invigorated Leeds.
They pushed forwards in search for an equaliser and were getting increased control in the middle of the park. Kenny Jackett responded by throwing in Dave Edwards to go into midfield in place of Dicko. It was a bold choice and Jackett clearly wanted the numbers in midfield and added defensive protection that Dicko just wouldn't provide.
It didn't stop Leeds equalising when Mowatt again cut inside on his left foot taking on the defence before curling a glorious left footed strike into Ikeme's right hand post, sending the travelling Leeds fans wild.
The game was then anyone's and it seemed like Wolves were happy to settle for a point having weathered the storm. But then on 88 minutes up stepped Dave Edwards to gloriously flick a header into the far corner sending Molineux into raptures. Kevin McDonald atoned for his earlier error with the beautiful in-swinging cross which was begging to be headed in. This was McDonald's 11th assist of the season meaning he has the joint second highest number of assists in the division.
Wolves held on for the win and look like they are peaking at precisely the right moment for a tilt at the play-offs. But then again, we all know how quickly things can change...
Man of the Match - J will give this to Dicko for his brace with special mention to Afobe who was given MOTM by whoscored.com. Leeds couldn't deal with Nouha Dicko in the first half and his finish for both goals showed that he has a lot of quality. Wigan should be kicking themselves for offloading him given their travails this season!
J
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