Wolves 1-0 Norwich: Wolves see off 10-man Canaries

adamhigginsuk
Aug 10, 2014
5 min read

Taking the plaudits: David Edwards celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the only goal of the game for Wolves (Picture from Zimbio.com)

WOLVES made a winning start on their return to the Championship with a deserved victory over 10-man Norwich.

In the final game of the opening Football League weekend, the League One champions were the better side throughout a tight contest at Molineux.

A disappointing Norwich, relegated last term after a three-year stay in the Premier League, had Martin Olsson sent off for a second bookable offence on the hour mark.

And the only goal came soon after as David Edwards headed home an excellent cross from debutant Rajiv van La Parra.

Wolves, who lost just twice in front of their own fans last term, maintained their solid home form and exuded the confidence with which they romped to the third-tier title with a record 103 points.

After two successive relegations, boss Kenny Jackett firmly believes his side can challenge for back-to-back promotions and beating a recently demoted top-flight team gave an impressive indicator of their credentials.

Having lost only Robert Snodgrass and Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the close season, the Canaries are among the serious favourites to win the division with one of the strongest squads.

The defeat - a seventh in their last eight league matches stretching back to last season - will be frustrating for new permanent boss Neil Adams, who is still awaiting a first win after six games in charge and insisted beforehand his side can handle expectations.

A lack of attacking intent will be his greatest concern as the Premier League's lowest scorers struggled to even trouble League One's meanest defence last term for large periods.

The setback, however, could prove to be a false dawn given Norwich's rotten winless record on matchday one, which now stretches to 12 years.

? DID YOU KNOW ?

Norwich have not won on the opening day of a season since beating Grimsby 4-0 at home in the old First Division in 2002.

Adams beefed up his frontline by handing a debut to £3 million striker Lewis Grabban, who was Bournemouth's top scorer with 22 league goals last term, but another summer signing Gary O'Neil was suspended following his red card for QPR in last season's play-off final.

Elliott Bennett and Andrew Surman - appearing for the Canaries for the first time since September 2012 - started against their former employers, although fellow midfielders Johnny Howson and Leroy Fer were unavailable because of injury.

Bakary Sako - Wolves' top scorer with 13 goals last term - overcame a groin injury to start on the left hand side with van La Parra making his debut on the opposing wing following his summer move from Heerenveen.

Meanwhile, Irishman Matt Doherty was a surprise preference to Sam Ricketts, who was named in the 2013/14 League One team of the year, at right-back.

Racing out of the traps, Wolves were on the front foot inside 30 seconds when Scott Golbourne and Kevin McDonald linked up down the left before the former's cross was steered over by Edwards from 12 yards.

Their muted penalty appeals for handball were waved away when Sako's shot struck Michael Turner inside the box as the hosts carried an early feel-good factor which encouraged the roaring Molineux faithful.

Norwich threatened for the first time as Nathan Redmond, who scored just once in the Premier League last term, drifted inside and fired wide of the post.

Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme was fortunate to have Richard Stearman on hand to clear after dropping a simple floated ball forward from Wes Hoolahan.

Ironically, as the sunshine emerged in the Black Country, the early brightness faded with both sides settling into spells of possession.

Wolves tried to lift the tempo and got on the front foot quickly when feeding the pace of Sako and Nouha Dicko, who proved dangerous outlets to an always vulnerable Norwich defence.

The Canaries competed well in their diamond midfield set-up but were almost non-existent as an attacking force and lost the foothold they had gained.

Sako's drilled cross-cum-shot was turned into the side netting by Russell Martin as the hosts finished the first half strongly.

The lack of cutting edge and end product from both sides was summed up in the opening exchanges of the second period.

First, Dicko rifled a wayward shot over the crossbar from 30 yards after escaping the attentions of Turner before Hoolahan slashed a left-footed effort harmlessly wide at the opposite end.

The atmosphere became increasingly subdued as neither side could seize the initiative although a hard-working Wolves looked the more likely.

Sako delivered an inch-perfect delivery across the face of goal which a sliding Dicko almost directed into the net.

? DID YOU KNOW ?

Wolves are now unbeaten in 11 league games (stretching back to last season) since their last defeat against Crawley Town on 18 March.

The League One champions demonstrated their resilience and resolve by hunting down Norwich with an infectious tenacity.

Although, Norwich showed signs of getting in behind the Wolves defence when Grabban raced onto Turner's raking pass and was denied by the fingertips of Ikeme from a tight angle.

Redmond then blazed into orbit with a wild finish on his right foot when shifting away from Golbourne inside the box.

But the visitors were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark when the accelerating van La Parra was brought down by the exposed Olsson, who was shown a second yellow card.

The former Blackburn defender appeared to lay a hand on referee Simon Hooper as he went to his pocket and kicked a water bottle in frustration inside the technical area.

Wolves 1-0 Norwich - Martin Olsson sent off by referee Simon Hooper.jpg

Fury: Martin Olsson appeared to shove the referee before he brandished the red card (Picture from Empics)

As play resumed, the resulting free-kick from Sako was kept out by Ruddy at the near post before Hoolahan was sacrificed for the arrival of Spanish left-back Javier Garrido.

And Wolves wasted no time in making the numerical advantage count, taking the lead on 64 minutes.

Van La Parra charged down the right and delivered an inviting cross which was planted into far corner by the head of Edwards - the Welsh midfielder's seventh goal in his last 11 games.

Although Redmond sent a dipping effort inches over the crossbar, the hosts were in the comfort zone and dominated possession thereafter.

Norwich threw on former Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty for his first appearance in English football since April 2008 after his acquisition from Palermo in place of Steven Whittaker with 15 minutes remaining.

The Canaries began to gamble with Ikeme making an important intervention at the feet of Grabban as the 26-year-old latched onto Lafferty's flick around the corner.

But Wolves - League One's top scorers last season with 89 goals - should have extended their lead on the break when Dicko skipped away from Garrido to access space down the right.

His delayed cut-back found Sako, whose low shot was blocked by the sprawling Ruddy before Martin cleared the loose ball to safety.

It was the final contribution of the French-born Mali international as Michael Jacobs took his place with 10 minutes remaining.

Jacobs sent a curling effort wide from 20 yards before van La Parra received a standing ovation on his departure and Dicko gave way for Leon Clarke as Jackett opted for fresh legs in the closing stages.

Wolves wound down the clock by progressing forward at a slower intensity as Clarke glided a shot into the side netting after combining with fellow substitute James Henry.

They held out to get their points tally for the campaign off the mark ahead of next weekend's trip to fellow promoted side Rotherham.

Norwich, who lost 14 and won just twice away from home last season, offered little and will hope for a massive improvement against Watford at Carrow Road on Saturday.