NEVES IS SO SHARP

COLE ‘THE INTERCEPTOR’

RUBEN NEVES sent Wolves soaring to a seven-point lead at the top of the Championship.

The Portuguese midfielder’s fine finish set Wolves on their way to a 16th win in 22 games this season.

Wednesday laid siege to the visitors after the break but once Morgan Fox was sent off late on, there was no way back.

Carlos Carvalhal, who was serving a one-match touchline ban for his recent sending-off against Hull, watched from the stands as his side posed problems for the high-flying visitors.

First Adam Reach sent a firsttime left-foot shot sailing wide when he should have scored after 21 minutes.

And a minute later Reach’s long punt into the box was met by Joost van Aken, whose header had John Ruddy moving quickly to save. But Neves’ magnificently hit 34thminute winner summed up their sheer quality.

It came from an Ivan Cavaleiro free-kick which Wolves defender Willy Boly tried to flick across the area.

The ball flew back out of the box and Neves hit it, full on the run, to place a superbly-judged low shot into the bottom corner.

It was a killer blow for the Owls and their frustrations grew when Jordan Rhodes was involved in a scuffle with Wolves defender Ryan Bennett who lashed out at the striker. Referee Darren Bond ®Êby DAVE LYONS

Blow

cautioned the Wolves stopper with home fans baying for the red card.

There were glimmers of hope for the Owls either side of the break – first when Jacob Butterfield’s corner was only half cleared by Ruddy and Rhodes attempted a hopeful overhead kick which failed.

And then soon after the restart, a Reach cross sparked an attack which ended with Liam Palmer lashing a shot over.

Reach was soon causing problems again down the left and his centre was headed back across goal by Gary Hooper only for Neves to clear.

Substitute Lucas Joao missed Wednesday’s best chance, heading over from close range, but by then the visitors were beginning to make their quality tell.

Romain Saiss and Leo Bonatini came close before Fox picked up a second yellow card in the 85th minute to end any comeback bid.