Party time for Warnock
JUNIOR HOILETT scored a brilliant late winner to cap Cardiff’s comeback and mark Neil Warnock’s 70th birthday in style.
Warnock can toast his big day today after seeing his side climb from the drop zone to 15th.
It looked in doubt after Matt Doherty’s opener for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side – Warnock’s old nemesis from last season.
The bosses had a furious touchline clash last term as the clubs tensely battled for promotion. Their row last April was consigned to history here with a warm pre-match handshake.
But Wolves were not as accommodating on the pitch initially, despite arriving on the back of a five-game winless run.
Santo’s slick passing side led at the break as the hosts failed to have a shot on target. Yet firebrand Warnock remains as intense as ever and his side threw everything at Wolves in the second half.
Aron Gunnarsson hooked in from close range before Hoilett slammed a rightfoot screamer in off the bar from outside the box 13 minutes from time.
Cardiff made two changes after losing 1-0 at Everton as Josh Murphy and Hoilett came in for Greg Cunningham and Kadeem Harris. Santo also made two changes, with Romain Saiss and Adama Traore replacing Ryan Bennett and Ivan Cavaleiro.
Cardiff started the brighter as Joe Ralls lashed a fierce shot just past the post from outside the area.
The hosts managed to pin Wolves back with a spell of sustained possession and high balls into the box.
But it was Wanderers who took the lead against the run of play in the 18th minute. Traore won a corner, which Joao Moutinho delivered and Ruben Neves’ header brought a good save out of Neil Etheridge, diving to his left.
But Matt Doherty, making his 200th League appearance for Wolves, was at the far post to crash in a close-range, left-foot goal from the rebound.
Cardiff gradually got back into the match as the visitors seemed content to hit them on the break. Hoilett lashed a shot wide and Harry Arter hit the post in the 36th minute after a corner was not fully cleared. The on-loan Bournemouth midfielder was desperately unlucky as his left-foot shot appeared to be arrowing in until the woodwork intervened.
The hosts had another opening before the break but Victor Camarasa tried to smash the ball and did an embarrassing air shot 12 yards out.
After the break, Cardiff went even more direct and enjoyed considerable success. They won a corner when Arter’s right-foot goalbound shot was deflected wide off Conor Coady. But the visitors still scored when Sean Morrison helped the ball back into the box and Gunnarsson lashed in from close range for his first of the season in the 65th minute.
There was more drama to come in the 77th minute when again Wolves failed to clear their lines and Hoilett curled in a screamer from the edge of the box.
The night got even worse for Wolves late on when key midfielder Neves picked up a booking, his seventh of the season, which will see him suspended.
CARDIFF (3-1-4-2): Etheridge; Manga, Bamba, Morrison; Gunnarsson; Hoilett, Arter (Harris 77), Ralls, Camarasa; Murphy (Reid 66) Paterson 7. Booked: Paterson. Goals: Gunnarsson 65, Hoilett 77. NEXT UP: West Ham (a), Tues PL. WOLVES (3-4-3): Patricio; Saiss, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Moutinho, Neves, Vinagre (Cavaleiro 82); Traore (Gibbs-White 73), Jimenez, Costa (Jota 66). Booked: Saiss, Neves. Goal: Doherty 18. NEXT UP: Chelsea (h), Wed PL.
Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands).