Wolves 2-0 Crystal Palace: Hosts go nine points clear of relegation zone after early own goal
Wolves are nine points clear of the relegation zone to all but secure top flight status, with Joachim Andersen’s own goal and late Ruben Neves penalty – after a wild lunge from Sam Johnstone – securing a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace
- Wolves look like they almost secured safety after a 2-0 win on Tuesday
- They took the lead after just three minutes through an own goal from Joachim Andersen
- Sam Johnstone conceded a late penalty that Ruben Neves converted
Returning captain Ruben Neves inspired Wolves to a victory that marked a major step towards securing their Premier League status.
Neves, surprisingly benched for last Saturday’s defeat at Leicester after previously serving a two-match ban, underscored his importance to Julen Lopetegui’s side with a goal and an assist.
The Portuguese midfielder’s corner sent panicked Joachim Andersen into an own goal after three minutes and as Palace pushed for a late equalizer, he showed composure to win a penalty after Sam Johnstone’s shot at Pedro Neto.
After their third home win in a row, all with clean sheets, Wolves have joined Palace on 37 points, almost certainly enough to make it another Premier League game next season, even if manager Julen Lopetegui won’t take anything for granted.
For Palace, it was the first defeat for 75-year-old manager Roy Hodgson since he returned to the club to replace Patrick Vieira.
Wolves are now nine points clear of the relegation zone after their win over Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace got off to a terrible start when Joachim Andersen was unable to put the ball into the back of his own net three minutes into the game at Molineux.
Ruben Neves then took care of the three points for Wolves with a penalty kick deep in injury time
The result effectively secures Wolves’ future in the Premier League as they are nine points clear of the relegation zone
He was able to point to fantastic saves from Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa from Albert Lokonga and Eberechi Eze when the score was 1-0, but is now anxiously awaiting Andersen, who was substituted at half-time and felt muscle tension.
“Our fans can sleep a little better than the day before, but of course we still have a lot of work to do to reach our goal,” said Lopetegui. “People thought we were in an impossible position, but now we have hope.
Neves played at a very good level with a lot of energy, focused on helping the team. He is an important player for us and we are happy with his return, but it was also good for our confidence to show that we could do it when he was unavailable.
After a run of 10 points in four games, this was a minor setback for Hodgson. “Some defeats make you gloomy, but I thought there were good things in our game and the 2-0 was not a fair reflection,” he said.
“I didn’t set a goal for the players, but if we play like that, we’ll get points. We just hope that Joachim is doing well, I don’t want to lose the collaboration between him and Marc Guehi.’
Neves made an immediate impact and started the move which saw Diego Costa foiled by Johstone to allow the first corner.
The skipper’s swing caught Andersen facing the wrong way at the penalty spot and the ball bounced up off his left knee to race past his startled goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, the Dane makes a habit of being unlucky. This was his fourth own goal in the Premier League to tie for fifth on the all-time list, and his last was just last month at Aston Villa.
Wolves had the best of the first half with a Johnstone save from Nelson Semedo, but they were aware that Palace had made up a 1-0 deficit at Leeds earlier in the month to win 5-1.
They flexed their muscles after 39 minutes with Sa making a great reflex save from Lokonga and Hodgson showed his intent by using forwards Odsonne Edouard and Jeffrey Schlupp for his two defensive midfielders alongside Andersen.
Eze was also denied by Sa’s fingertips as Wolves hung nervously, but Johnstone then gave a second with a bad touch in his rush to launch the ball upfield.
Crystal Palace put pressure on Wolves with a shot from striker Jordan Ayew
It was a very competitive game between two teams that have improved in recent weeks
Referee Robert Jones waved the yellow card nine times as both sides pushed for a goal
He caught Neto high in an attempt to recover his mistake and Robert Jones didn’t hesitate to point for the spot as Neves coolly reversed low to the keeper’s left, although Johnstone could also be grateful to receive a yellow instead of a get a red card.
The Molineux are having fun, including Costa running around as the old centre-forward, and at one point was reprimanded by the referee for an aggressive attack on Luka Milivojevic.
“He’s not here for vacation,” smiled Lopetegui, who also thanked the crowd for their part in Wolves’ good home form. “They’re behind us. They are our 12th man,” he added.