BOLY BRILLIANT

Strongman Willy puts Wanderers back on course for Prem

WOLVES ended their worst run of the season to increase their lead at the Championship summit to six points.

Goals from Romain Saiss and Willy Boly followed by a sensational lob from onloan Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe – his first league goal since last April – ripped Leeds apart.

After taking just two points from their last three outings to see their lead cut from 11 points to three, Wolves fans had been getting the promotion jitters.

But the visitors could have been 3-0 up midway through the first half as they carved through Leeds at will.

Ivan Cavaleiro’s angled shot forced rookie keeper Bailey Peacock-farrell to parry wide, then Diogo Jota trod on the ball at point- blank range. Leo Bonatini diverted a Barry Douglas free kick over the bar with his thigh, before Jota saw a close-range effort blocked by Peacock-farrell.

The goal Wolves had been threatening came when the unmarked Saiss stooped to pick his spot with his head from Douglas’ corner in the 28th minute.

A sweeping move almost led to a second goal when Bonatini was superbly denied by Peacock-farrell in a one-on-one after the visitors worked the ball from Conor Coady to the Brazilian via Douglas and Alfred N’diaye.

Wolves duly made it 2-0 on half-time when Boly headed into the roof of the net after Danny Batth’s header had hit the bar from another Douglas corner.

Leeds, whose only ontarget effort in the first half was Pierre-michel Lasogga’s volley gobbled up at the near post by keeper John Ruddy, were better after the break.

But Wolves looked the more likely scorers, with a header from Bonatini cleared off the line.

Leeds’ comeback bid came from an unlikely source as right-back Gaetano Berardi’s missile shot grazed the top of the bar, before Stuart Dallas’ header was smothered by Ruddy on the line.

Wolves underlined their class when Afobe chipped in 17 minutes from time.