2 off but they’re too good
PREM IS NOW 3 WINS AWAY
WOLVES boss Nuno Espirito Santo hailed his nine-man side’s battling qualities as they took another huge step towards the Premier League.
The Championship leaders lost Ruben Neves and Matt Doherty to second-half reds in a crazy contest which also saw referee Stuart Attwell dish out 10 yellows, but they still held off Middlesbrough.
Victory restored their six-point lead at the top, leaving them needing a maximum of three wins from their last seven games after first-half goals from Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro put them in command. Wolves could go up as early as next week when they face second-placed Cardiff, and Nuno said: “We showed our quality tonight and this was a defining moment for us.
“We’ve come through a tough game against a very good side and showed a lot of character and discipline.”
Barry Douglas was the source of both Wolves goals, first sending over a cross for Costa to volley home in the 32nd minute. After keeper Darren Randolph saved Willy Boly’s near post header, from a Douglas corner, Cavaleiro nodded home the rebound. Randolph twice denied Neves before Wolves threatened to press the self-destruct button during a breathless second-half.
With 25 minutes left Neves got a second yellow inside two minutes for a lunge at George Friend.
Doherty’s second caution, for a flailing elbow on Friend as the pair challenged for an aerial ball, reduced Wanderers to nine men with almost 20 minutes to play. Patrick Bamford’s fine volley in the fourth minute of stoppage time set up a nervy finale.
But with Boly immense in the heart of defence, Wolves stood firm to cap a display which spoke volumes about their qualities.
Boro boss Tony Pulis refused to criticise Nuno for his excessive celebrations at the end. He said: “I didn’t see all the incidents, obviously they were delighted as they’d just won.
“I know the manager jumped in the air. I don’t know the fella, it might be different if he was someone I knew.
‘‘I’d have been delighted as well, but I’d have reacted differently. He’s very welcome to come into my room, but I doubt he will.”