Wolves Defeat City On Filbert Way
Wolverhampton Wanderers left King Power Stadium on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid
Bobby De Cordova-Reid
Wolves Defeat City On Filbert Way
Wolverhampton Wanderers left King Power Stadium on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City.
Wolves Defeat City On Filbert Way
Wolverhampton Wanderers left King Power Stadium on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City.
Wolves Defeat City On Filbert Way
Wolverhampton Wanderers left King Power Stadium on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City.
Wolves Defeat City On Filbert Way
Wolverhampton Wanderers left King Power Stadium on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City.
First-half goals from Gonçalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha did the damage, with City facing an uphill battle after the break. Still 17th in the Premier League on 14 points, but now with Wolves joining Ipswich Town within reach on 12, these are testing times for the Foxes, who next travel to Anfield to take on leaders Liverpool on Boxing Day.
Three points in games such as these can mean the world for teams in this situation, but they can be the hardest to attain as well. The appointment of Vítor Pereira as the new Wolves manager has given the West Midlands outfit hope of better times to come. City themselves have felt that new-manager bounce, with four points taken from West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion brightening the outlook since Ruud van Nistelrooy’s arrival. Last weekend’s chastening reverse at Newcastle United, mind you, was a timely reminder of the scale of this season’s ultimate task. There were three changes to the line-up from that day in the North East, with Danny Ward, Jordan Ayew and Boubakary Soumaré back in the XI. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who was withdrawn at half-time at St. James’ Park, was not deemed fit enough to play, while Kasey McAteer also picked up a complaint in training. Hamza Choudhury, now pledging his international allegiance to Bangladesh, made way for Soumaré, back from a one-game suspension.
Jordan Ayew
Although it was ultimately a tough afternoon, Leicester’s first flash of promise came less than 10 minutes in, Bilal El Khannouss cutting the Wolves defence open, and sending Jamie Vardy on the gallop. City’s No.9 tried to clip the ball over José Sá, but the Portuguese stopper was able to get a shoulder on the ball to halt the 37-year-old’s progress. By the 10th minute, though, it was the visitors who led. Nélson Semedo’s direct ball forwards seemed to be aimed at Jørgen Strand Larsen, being watched by Jannik Vestergaard in the box. The Dane, however, had to react quickly as the Norwegian let it bounce for Guedes who, on the turn, half-volleyed it across goal and past Ward at an acute angle. Not ideal for the Foxes at all, and it would get worse before the break. There were chances to get back into it however. James Justin’s curler from the right was saved well by Sá and he was there moments later, to frustrate Stephy Mavididi, cutting in from the other flank. The afternoon was about to darken for Leicester, though, as the visitors took control. A mix-up at the back handed Wolves a second in the 36th minute, as Matt Doherty’s through-ball arrived at the feet of Gomes, who squirmed it over the line. Later on, with a minute of normal time to play, Cunha was in a tight spot in the area, but he was nevertheless able to power a fierce hit through the box and into the far corner to give Pereira’s visitors a three-goal advantage at the interval.
James Justin
Vardy had gone close before the break, being denied on the line by Toti, although a goal would likely have been disallowed for an offside. He was unfortunate again in the second half, on 55 minutes, when his heavy touch on Conor Coady’s forward ball gave him sight only of the side-netting. Later on, Leicester’s No.9 glanced Ayew’s free-kick towards goal, albeit straight at Sá. With 20 minutes to play, a stark warning of Wolves' threat came when Santiago Bueno’s header flashed inches wide. Cunha’s free-kick slammed into the side-netting too. It became increasingly hard for City to break through the lines and create chances later on, with Wolves determined not to offer a route back into the contest. Indeed, the hosts were lucky it wasn’t four for Wanderers in the dying moments, as Gomes – in acres of room in the area – conspired to nod Cunha’s inviting cross wide. Ward also got down well to frustrate Gomes again shortly afterwards as Wolves countered down the left, before Vardy again tested Sá, sending Choudhury’s quick delivery into the goalkeeper's grasp. With no early Christmas present for the Blue Army, hard work is the best route out of this for Leicester, with an illustrious roll call of opposition to prepare for over the festive period.

LATEST HEADLINES

LATEST PHOTOS

LATEST VIDEOS

King Power Stadium,

Filbert Way,

Leicester

LE2 7FL

Club >

Men >

Women >

Community >

App >

King Power Stadium,

Filbert Way,

Leicester

LE2 7FL

Club >

Men >

Women >

Community>

App >