ROYAL CRUSH

Double star Doherty does the business as Wolves bite back

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MATT DOHERTY scored twice as Wolves ended their recent wobble in emphatic style.

Benik Afobe was also on target to help move the Championship table toppers 10 points clear of third placed Aston Villa with nine games to go.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have one foot back in the Premier League having gone into this clash against Reading with just one win in their five previous outings.

But there was no sign of that poor run being extended last night, with Wolves totally dominating proceedings and outclassing the Royals.

Ruben Neves was once again imperious, producing a glorious pass to help set up Afobe after Doherty had opened the scoring.

Little wonder rivals are continuing to ask what the Portuguese midfielder is doing in the Championship after signing from Porto.

There have been claims Wolves’ links with agent Jorge Mendes breach rules over third-party involvement.

The club insist they have done noting wrong in signing several of Mendes’ clients and certainly no one can deny their quality.

Espirito Santo made four changes following the league leader’s biggest loss of the season, a 4-1 drubbing at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Ryan Bennett, Helder Costa, Afobe and Romain Saiss came in for Danny Batth, Ivan Cavaleiro, Leo Bonatini and Alfred N’diaye.

The home side started well and Costa forced Reading keeper Anssi Jaakkola into a good save from a left-foot shot from the edge of the box.

Influential Diogo Jota hobbled off but his absence failed to loosen Wolves’ grip on the game and they made their pressure tell five minutes before the break.

Right wing-back Doherty headed in from eight yards out after Barry Douglas nodded Costa’s pass back across goal.

They deservedly doubled their lead in the 58th minute after a wonderful pass from Neves unlocked the visitors.

Costa kept the ball in play wide on the right and unselfishly picked out Afobe, who took a touch before slotting in his second goal since moving back to Molineux on loan in January.

Doherty added a third in the 73rd minute from the top of the box with a low finish into the bottom corner to double his tally this term to four.