Fight to join Wolves will go to the wire

WOLVES are almost there – but the race to land the second automatic promotion spot from the Championship is really beginning to heat up.

Cardiff’s agonising home defeat by Wolves on Friday night – missing two last-gasp penalties – must have been a massive boost for Fulham and Aston Villa, who are trying to claw back the Bluebirds’ advantage.

Third-placed Fulham certainly made the most of Cardiff’s slip-up. Going to an improving Sheffield Wednesday was never going to be easy, but a 1-0 victory at Hillsborough continues their incredible form.

And what a talisman Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is proving to be. Many felt it was a gamble when the Whites signed him on loan from Newcastle, but it has proved to be an inspired decision.

The fact he claimed the Championship Player of the Month award shows how well he is performing for his loan club. That victory against the Owls has left Fulham just two points behind Neil Warnock’s Cardiff, although the Welsh club do have a game in hand.

While Fulham seized their chance with both hands, Aston Villa must be kicking themselves after losing 3-1 at Norwich yesterday. Victory would have put them within four points of Cardiff ahead of hosting them at Villa Park on Tuesday night.

You have to now think Steve Bruce’s men will have to settle for the play-offs.

It is shaping up to be an exciting end to the season with the race for the post-season berths still involving a host of clubs.

But congratulations to Wolves on their victory the other night. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men rode their luck to grab all three points but have shown in recent weeks they have the bottle to go with their undoubted class.

Some people doubted whether they would last the course this season, but they have done so and fully deserve to be heading towards the Premier League.

Now let’s see who joins them...