By Sam Drury.
Wolverhampton Wanderers took a huge step towards securing their Premier League status for next season with victory over Crystal Palace at Molineux.
In a match low on clear-cut chances, Wolves went in front after three minutes when Ruben Neves’ corner bounced off the knee of Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen and in off the crossbar.
The goal came in a lively opening few minutes that quickly gave way to an altogether more scrappy and tetchy affair that was settled by Neves’ stoppage-time penalty.
Albert Sambi Lokonga came closest to providing a Palace equaliser before half-time but his snapshot from eight yards out was kept out by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Palace were on top for much of the second half but struggled to create any real opportunities of note with Eberechi Eze’s dipping left-footed effort from distance, tipped over by Sa, the closest they came to scoring.
Wolves offered next to nothing going forward in the last half hour but held on before Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone brought down Pedro Neto as he tried to atone for his own poor touch.
Neves made no mistake from the spot and sealed a win that move Wolves level on points with 12th-placed Palace and, crucially, nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Wolves on the brink of safety
This was not a game that will live long in the memory, but for Wolves it could be among their most significant of the season.
Players and management may not admit it but the three points should all-but guarantee they will be playing Premier League football again next season.
It has been an impressive turnaround under Julen Lopetegui, who took over during the World Cup break with Wolves bottom of table on just 10 points from 15 games.
Tonight’s triumph makes it 27 from 18 under the former Spain boss and lifts them to 13th.
The game rather encapsulated Lopetegui’s spell so far with Wolves sturdy, solid but far from sparkling.
No-one could doubt their fight, though, and while Lopetegui despaired of his team’s inability to keep the ball late in the game and invited pressure, that is something he can work on with his team over the summer as they – surely – prepare for another year in the top flight.
Palace’s unbeaten run under Hodgson comes to an end
After three wins and a draw in interim boss Roy Hodgson’s first four games, Palace suffered defeat for the first time since mid-March.
Like Wolves, they are on 37 points, and likely safe. And, despite the loss, there was still cause for optimism.
Defensively, the closest Wolves came to opening them up was in the second minute when Diego Costa found space in the box and Johnstone turned his shot behind for the corner that led to Andersen’s unfortunate own goal.
From that point on until Johnstone’s late error, they never looked like conceding.
Going forward, they will be disappointed not to have created more but they forced Wolves back for much of the second half.
Eze and Michael Olise, alongside the tireless Jordan Ayew, provided a threat but on this occasion, the final ball was just lacking.
However, with five games to go, the relegation battle is something Palace should be able to observe rather than participate in.
Premier League Results
Aston Villa 1-0 Fulham
Leeds United 1-1 Leicester City.