Leaders in late drama but Leo’s their hero
WOLVES strengthened their position at the top as a second-half double from Leo Bonatini helped them earn a hard-fought win against Preston.
North End impressed in the first half but Ivan Cavaleiro gave Wolves a 44th-minute lead with his second goal of the season.
And Bonatini doubled their advantage from the penalty spot just before the hour mark, then grabbed his seventh goal of the campaign four minutes later.
Wolves then looked set to cruise to a third successive win – and a fifth in six games.
But Preston – who had arrived at Molineux on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run – made them battle all the way for it.
Jordan Hugill, who was a summer target for Wolves, reduced the arrears with his seventh goal of the season in the 65th minute.
He scored for the third successive game, and Wolves defender Conor Coady then turned the ball into his own net in the 76th minute to ensure a tense finish.
Tempers became frayed as the visitors pressed for an equaliser and Preston midfielder Alan Browne was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Browne left the pitch without being shown the card and had to return to be formally dismissed by referee Stephen Martin.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo praised the way his side stood up to Preston’s challenge.
He said: “Three points is important but what does not leave us totally pleased is our performance.
“In the first half, there was too much stopping, too much holding. Preston are a good side and their gameplan was all about controlling our game. In the second half we were much better.
“It is good that we scored three goals against a side that had the best defence in the league but at the same time we conceded two.”
Preston boss Alex Neil was left bitterly disappointed by referee Martin’s decisions.
Neil said: “I thought that the penalty was extremely harsh. I have seen it back and there was not much contact.”