NUNO DEMANDS IMPROVEMENT FROM TOILING WOLVES

WOLVES boss Nuno Espirito Santo has challenged his Wolves players to improve fast after they suffered a narrow defeat at Crystal Palace to extend their winless Premier League run to eight games.

The Molineux club have not tasted success in the division since December 15 when they beat Chelsea and while they have progressed into the FA Cup fifth round, in the top flight they continue to look toothless.

It took them until the 56th minute to have a shot on target at Selhurst Park and although new signing Willian Jose looked sharp on his full debut, Wolves have slumped to 14th after Ebere Eze’s winner for Palace and have Arsenal and Leicester up next.

‘A lot of things are missing,’ Nuno said. ‘Better performances, better decisions, what is our identity. Everything must be faster.

‘It is not about individuals, it is about all of us and we must commit more to face the challenge we have in front of us.

‘We have a big challenge and we have to improve and improve fast.’

Palace had only triumphed in one of their last 10 games in all competitions but the Eagles had more intent and also boasted six changes to the XI which lost at home to West Ham on Tuesday.

Eze’s fierce strike on the hour mark proved too hot for Rui Patricio to handle and saw the hosts move 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

Boss Roy Hodgson said: ‘It was a big one. We have been stuck on 23 points or close to 23 points for a little while, so it was good to move away from that total.’