Play it again Sam

Wolves gave a fine account of themselves at Molineux on Saturday evening but were pipped by a Paul Scholes goal when a draw would have been deserved by Wolves on the night. Wolves matched Utd for large parts of the game and created more chances but when the chance fell to Scholes he showed the composure and finesse to win the game.

Wolves started with an unchanged team and were boosted by the absence of Rooney from the Utd squad.

It was a rivetting game from start to finish and played at a break neck pace that typified British football. In the first half a 0-0 scoreline was a fair reflection with Wolves defending resolutely, winning plenty of tackles in midfield through Henry and Guedioura, and with Jarvis playing well wide and Doyle showing real quality again. The closest we came to a first half goal was when Doyle freed Jarvis on the left and his cross saw left back Stephen Ward pop up in the 6 yard box and he should have done better with a free header.

The second half started with Utd forcing Wolves on to the back foot. Berbatov linking play brilliantly and Valencia giving Ward a hard time on the wing. From a rare Wolves attack Guedioura beat three Utd players in midfield before being hacked down by Vidic 25 yards out which earned the defender a yellow card. But United were to go ahead after 73 minutes. A Nani cross was only cleared as a far as Scholes who calmly sidestepped the defenders before slotting home. They should have increased their lead 5 minutes later with their two subs combining, Neville crossing to the far post where Diouf should have done better with a header.

With 6 minutes remaining Ebanks Blake and Keogh came on for Ward and an injured Guedioura. Then after 8 minutes Vokes replaced Jarvis.

Finally after 91 minutes Wolves created the chance they had been waiting for all game. Zubar’s persistence resulted in the ball being prodded through the United defence. The ball fell to Sam Vokes six yards out but he put the clear chance over the bar. Remarkably Vokes then threatened again when he sent a last minute header wide.

Hahnemann 7-  had no difficult saves to make and always looks calm under pressure

Zubar 8 – maybe his best game for Wolves, defended well and got forward to effect a few times

Craddock 7 – sound enough against the difficult to mark Berbatov

Berra 7 – another good performance by the centre back

Ward 5 – beaten to easily by Valencia at times and distribution not always good

Foley 6 – worked hard and ended the game at left back where he looked more comfortable

Guedioura 7 – got in some good tackles, made some positive runs passing not always spot on

Henry 8 – excellent in the crowded midfield and won the ball many times

Jones 6 – had a decent game against his former club without being able to create any openings

Jarvis 7 – linked well with Doyle and looks increasingly confident in being able to perform against this level of opposition

Doyle 8 – excellent control and build up play that would not have looked out of place in the Utd side, didn’t have his shooting boots on

So another creditable defeat for Wolves and now they must show they can get the goals and points against less exalted opponents at Turf Moor in a big game next Saturday. Oh how Sam Vokes must wish he could have that 91st minute moment all over again.

Category: Team News