No one will stop us now, roar Wolves 12

Nuno’s 10 men take 10-point lead

JOhN RuDDy has been around the block enough times to know what it takes to win promotion from the Championship. that is why he is certain Wolves are on their way back to the Premier League.

the 31-year-old Wolves goalkeeper twice helped Norwich leap into the top flight, but it is only now that Ruddy has seen enough to be sure the Championship leaders are a promotion-bound team.

it was Ryan Bennett’s winner four minutes into stoppage time at Ashton Gate that gave Ruddy cause to be bullish. ‘i said to a few of the lads in the dressing room that in my first year with Norwich we won promotion because we had four or five games where we scored with the last kick,’ Ruddy said.

‘that’s no fluke. it’s due to desire, commitment and never- say- die attitude that you need to get into the Premier League. thankfully we’ve got loads of those qualities. i actually ctually think this is a better group than n both Norwich sides in terms of quality ity but the vital parallel is working our r socks off for each other.’

Work ethic was there in abundance ndance as Wolves overcame everything g their promotion rivals could throw at t them. A potentially pivotal win was secured ecured after an eventful first-half.

it saw Wolves overcome skipper kipper Danny Batth’s dismissal (which ch will be appealed against) for a studs-up challenge on hordur Magnusson and the banishment of manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, to the stands for stepping on to the pitch as tensions rose.

if that was not bad enough, Bobby Reid put City ahead in the 53rd minute with a deflected shot after towering centre back Aden Flint was pushed forward to wreak havoc.

that Wolves were up against buoyant opponents who had just beaten Manchester united in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and it puts into perspective the significance of victory.

it was a win that hinged on a single moment that changed the game.

City goalkeeper Frank Fielding was sent off for felling Matt Doherty on a rare Wolves sortie. Barry Douglas beat replacement Luke Steele with the resulting free-kick before the Scot’s setpiece was nodded in by Bennett deep into injury time. ‘We were

really re up against it but not for one moment m did I think we were down and an out,’ Ruddy said. Wolves W now enjoy a 10- point advantage adv over nearest rivals Derby, with wit third-placed City a further point poin behind.

There Th seems little chance of anyone easing easin up despite the chasm. ‘We’ve built ourselves a massive opportunity and it’s great our destiny’s in our hands,’ hand Ruddy said.

‘Teams ‘Te chasing us from play- off places plac will need a four-win swing. That’s That a big ask for anyone to catch up but b there’s no way on earth we’ll get complacent. c

‘We can cope with any pressure, even against the Championship’s best sides.’

For City captain Bailey Wright, it was a missed opportunity.

‘Th ‘There’s frustration because we felt comfortable com at 1-0,’ the Australia international inter said. ‘We’ve scored late winners. winn It hurts to be on the receiving rece end.’