Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WHAT ADAMA GOOD STRIKE!
Traore’s drought is over as he puts Nuno on a high
ADAMA TRAORE ended his goal drought in spectacular fashion to put a smile back on Nuno Espirito Santo’s face.
The Molineux manager was fined £25,000 this week for an outburst about referee Lee Mason after a Premier League defeat at Burnley.
But Spain international Traore high-fived his beaming boss after scoring against Crystal Palace in the first half.
Traore thumped in a rising drive from the edge of the box for his first goal in 33 games for Wolves to deservedly put them into the FA Cup fourth round.
It also ended a run of five games without a win.
Traore’s return to form was welcome for the home side, with rookie for ward Fabio Silva continuing to misfire while deputising for Raul Jimenez.
Powderpuff Palace, who made nine changes, were so lacklustre they were even guilty of two foul throws.
Wolves made two changes, Leander Dendoncker returning and John Ruddy in only a second appearance of the season in goal.
Palace also had a new keeper, with Jack Butland making his debut for the club.
And the former England international really should have been picking the ball out of the net in the 12th minute after great work down the left by Pedro Neto.
He carried the ball from near the halfway line to the edge of the visitors’ box where his tricks bought Neto space to cross for £35million summer signing Silva.
But the unmarked 18-year-old striker - yet to score in open play for Wolves - headed over from six yards out.
Palace created a good chance, with Eberechi Eze blasting wide at the far post. Traore was also off target, but was starting to find his range.
Butland was eventually called into action in the 21st minute to dive low to his left and palm away Nelson Semedo’s drive from the top of the box.
But the keeper was lucky not to be penalised for touching a back-pass while clearing his lines after the save.
Wolves dominated possession and their pressure paid off in the 35th minute.
Traore cut in from the right and thumped in a shot from the edge of the box with his weaker left foot that flew past Butland.
Palace did improve after the break, but it was the Wolves who went closest, Silva again heading wide.
Butland also made a fine reaction stop to turn away Dendoncker’s close-range effort from Traore’s cross to the near post.
Roy Hodgson threw on eightgoal top scorer Wilfried Zaha to try to take the tie to extra time.
But it was still Wolves who looked the more dangerous as Neto hit a low effort wide.
The visitors could have few complaints at exiting, as they failed to trouble Ruddy and will have to be much-improved away at Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday.