CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
NUNO Espirito Santo saw his Wolves side go 10 points clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship and insisted: “It was the performance of a team who are growing with every game.”
The Wanderers boss was in relaxed mood at the end of an eventful afternoon. Wolves had captain Danny Batth sent off early on and Espirito Santo was also banished to the stands, before City had goalkeeper Frank Fielding dismissed.
Batth had been dismissed four minutes earlier for a challenge on City left-back Hordur Magnusson and Nuno was thrilled with the way his side adapted to the blow.
He said: “First of all I was sent from the dugout because I encroached one foot onto the pitch, not for any disrespect.
“We will appeal (against) the Danny Batth sending off. I need to look at it again, but I believe I have seen challenges made against us in the Championship that were not red cards.
“When you get a man sent off so early in a game you firstly have to become compact and defend well, which we did.
“But what character my players showed to also go forward and create the sort of chance that led to our first goal.
“I am very proud of the players, but I am already thinking of our next game against Brentford.”
It looked good for City when, with a man advantage, Bobby Reid shot them into a 53rd minute lead with his 13th goal of the season from Jamie Paterson’s pass.
But the match turned when the hosts had goalkeeper Frank Fielding sent off on 64 minutes for fouling Matt Doherty and preventing a clear scoring chance.
Barry Douglas drilled the resulting free-kick past substitute Luke Steele and then provided the cross from another set-piece, which saw Ryan Bennett - introduced as substitute on Batth’s dismissal - head an injury-time winner.
City head coach Lee Johnson said: “It was a disappointing result because we were in complete control of the game until Frank Fielding was sent off.
“In retrospect, he probably should have let the lad go round him and score so we kept our man advantage.
“But that is easy to say. Frankie has been fantastic for us this season and had to make a split second decision.
“You have to give huge credit to Wolves for the character they showed after going down to 10 men.”
Elsewwhere, Tony Pulis tasted defeat in his first proper match as Middlesbrough manager as they were beaten by Aston Villa.
Pulis replaced Garry Monk hours before the Boxing Day win over Bolton, but four days later saw some of the problems faced by his predecessor as Robert Snodgrass’ 75th-minute header earned Villa a 1-0 win.
Derby’s stunning run of form continued and they moved into the top two thanks to a 2-1 win at Ipswich.
Sam Winnall’s brace had them comfortable and, although Joe Garner pulled one back, County made it five wins from their last six.
Bottom-of-the-table Birmingham upset promotion hopefuls Leeds as they ended their wretched recent run with a 1-0 home win, Jacques Maghoma tapping in with five minutes to go after Felix Wiedwald spilled Jota’s shot.
Former Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Madine silenced the Sheffield United boo-boys as his goal proved the difference in a 1-0 Bolton win at Bramall Lane.
Hull squandered a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 at home to Fulham.
Top-scorer Jarrod Bowen and Nouha Dicko had Nigel Adkins’ men coasting, with Fulham hauling off two men before the break in response.
One of those sent on, Aboubakar Kamara, responded with a drawearning brace, one of them from the spot and the second with four minutes left.
The clear improvements Chris Coleman has made to Sunderland were further evident as Aiden McGeady’s goal secured a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, while managerless Sheffield Wednesday were beaten 2-0 at Brentford thanks to goals from Lasse Vibe and Florian Jozefzoon.
Yann Kermorgant’s first goal of the season put Reading 1-0 up at Barnsley only for Ethan Pinnock to level in stoppage time, while Burton and Norwich drew 0-0.