Norwich 3 Wolves 1As a comment on Wolves' season, this was perfect. Throwing away commanding positions has become a favourite pastime of Dave Jones' team and they were at it again yesterday. After letting slip a first-half lead and conceding a goal in the final seconds, their hopes of reaching the Premiership are ebbing away.
Norwich were the more fluent and ultimately the more clinical side, and deserved their victory. Trailing to a Dean Sturridge strike, they responded with fierce second-half pressure to score three times, aided by poor Wolves defending. The final goal by Malky Mackay could be crucial.
Afterwards Jones fiercely criticised the referee, Roger Furnandiz, accusing him of not being fit enough to do his job. He also said Norwich's decision to print directions to the Millennium Stadium in the programme smacked of arrogance.
A recent run of two wins from 10 suggests Wolves lack the necessary mental strength. Certainly they lacked concentration here. For 55 minutes they were comfortable against Norwich, who seemed to lack a presence in attack to capitalise on some neat approach play.
Ultimately Wolves fell apart, failing to cope in particular with the crosses of Clint Easton. "Three poor goals to give away," said Jones. "We have an uphill battle."
Norwich applied more of the pressure from the start. Yet they seemed lightweight without Iwan Roberts up front and Wolves' defence, well served by Joleon Lescott, soaked up things with only the occasional worrying moment. When Gary Holt had a chance, he shot over.
With Wolves threatening on the counter-attack, it was no great surprise when Sturridge struck in the 22nd minute. Kevin Cooper's deep cross was headed back by Shaun Newton and fell to Sturridge, who shot past Robert Green.
Wolves failed to capitalise on a couple of other openingsand paid a heavy price as Norwich streamed forward. Much of the home team's passing was impressive, and Easton's left boot was vital.
For the equaliser, his cross was headed back by Mackay and Mark Rivers' soft shot was accurate enough to beat Michael Oakes. In the 72nd minute his centre was headed in by Paul McVeigh, who got between Lescott and Mohamed Camara.
Wolves barely threatened an equaliser and their day got worse when an Easton free-kick was headed in by Mackay.
NORWICH: Green, Kenton, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, Rivers (Iwan Roberts 77), Holt, Mulryne, Easton, McVeigh (Notman 82), Nielsen (Libbra 86). Subs Not Used: Crichton, Sutch. Booked: Easton. Goals: Rivers 56, McVeigh 73, Mackay 90.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Oakes, Halle, Butler, Lescott, Camara, Newton (Miller 73), Cameron, Rae, Cooper, Blake (Proudlock 82), Sturridge. Subs Not Used: Murray, Naylor, Pollet. Booked: Rae, Sturridge, Cooper, Camara. Goals: Sturridge 22.
Referee: R Furnandiz (Doncaster).
