Soaring Wolves close in on title

– Ruben Neves’ (pictured) 30-yard wonder-strike was the highlight of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2-0 win at home to Derby County on Wednesday, a result that left the Championship leaders on the cusp of promotion to the Premier League.

Wolves now need just two more points to assure themselves of a return to the lucrative English top flight – something they will achieve if they beat Midlands rivals Birmingham City on Sunday.

But if other results go their way, Wolves could have their promotion confirmed, and a six-year absence from England’s top division ended, before they

London

next kick a ball in anger at their Molineux ground.

Defeat left Derby fifth and in the play-off places, with only the top two teams at the end of the regular season guaranteed a Premier League place next term.

Diogo Jota opened the scoring at a rainswept Molineux as early as the sixth minute.

Wolves’ top-scorer this season struck his 16th goal of the campaign after turning and shooting past Derby keeper Scott Carson following a superb 40-yard through ball from Willy Boly.

Neves doubled Wolves’ lead six minutes after halftime with a stunning volley from 30 yards that flew past the outstretched right hand of former England keeper Carson and into the top corner.

Derby cleared a corner and the ball came to Neves, who deliberately flicked the ball up and then let fly with a dipping volley -- his sixth goal from outside the area this season. –