Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
RAYAN MIGHTY
Frenchman’s dream debut sends Wolves into third
ROOKIE Wolves full-back Rayan Ait-nouri made an instant mark on English football with a dream goal just 18 minutes into his debut.
Th e 1 9 - ye a r - o l d , si g n e d recently on loan from Angers, had never even scored in his professional career before.
But the unknown Frenchman was in the right place at the right time as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side moved up to third in the Premier League.
Th e outst andin g Dani el Podence then made it two for Wanderers before the break, as Crystal Palace suffered a bad night.
The Eagles have now failed to win a single Premier League game in 12 attempts on a Friday.
But they had no fortune, as Michy Batshuayi was denied a goal by an offside flag seconds before Ait-nouri’s moment, and a penalty decision overturned.
Palace had started well with the in-form Wilfried Zaha off target after being teed up by Andros Townsend inside the first minute.
However, Wolves then took charge, led by Portuguese winger Podence.
The 25-year-old crossed for Leander Dendoncker, who headed just wide, before his brilliant curling effort was saved by keeper Vicente Guaita.
Pa l a c e w e re second best, but so nearly took the lead. Patrick van Aanholt’s cross was put i n by Batshuayi , but Wo l v e s w e r e saved by a correct linesman’s flag. It appeared to be a big moment, as Ait-nouri emphatical ly finished just inside the area after Cheikhou Kouyate had failed to clear Podence’s cross.
Wanderers’ confidence was up and it was Dendoncker who went close t wice with long-rangers, i ncluding one effort that hit the crossbar.
And Palace were caught out again on 27 minutes, as Pedro Neto charged down the right to set up a tap in for Podence.
Roy Hodgson’s side at least responded after that, with Conor Coady showing just why he is now part of the England set-up – his brave block foiling Scott Dann from a Luka Milivojevic corner.
The visitors thought they were back in it six minutes before the break as Van Aanholt was fouled by Willy Boly in the area.
But just as Milivojevic was preparing to take the kick, VAR overturned the decision with Van Aanholt adjudged to have strayed a fraction offside.
Palace started the second half well with Townsend denied by Rui Patricio before they were denied another penalty.
Zaha went down under an Ait-nouri challenge, with VAR not giving the decision, despite some suspicion . Zaha was booked late on for a coming together with the left-back, who had a debut to remember.
Palace’s misery was completed four minutes from time when Milivojevic was dismissed for a foul on Joao Moutinho, ref Martin Atkinson taking the rare step of using his monitor before brandishing the red card.