Wolves 3-2 Bristol City: Home side win topsy-turvy clash

By PA Sport

Monday 26 December 2016 20:29, UK

Wolves winger Ivan Cavaleiro handed Paul Lambert his first home win as his late strike from the penalty spot sealed a 3-2 Sky Bet Championship victory over Bristol City at Molineux.

Cavaleiro made no mistake with his spot-kick in the 84th minute after Aden Flint had handled a Joe Mason flick.

Wolves had made the perfect start when Dave Edwards gave them the lead after only three minutes with his sixth goal of the season and his third in five games.

But the Robins took control of affairs in a frantic end to the first half when Tammy Abraham drew them level with his 14th goal of the campaign in the 38th minute before Flint gave them the lead 60 seconds before the interval.

Helder Costa then volleyed home a 57th-minute cross from Conor Coady to draw Wolves level before Cavaleiro completed the comeback.

It earned back-to-back wins for Wolves but was a seventh defeat in eight games for Bristol City, whose players were convinced that they had been denied a last-minute equaliser when Marlon Pack's header was deemed not to have crossed the line.

Wolves made the perfect start when Costa's corner was then met with the deftest of touches by Edwards, who glanced his header past goalkeeper Frank Fielding.

City were indebted to Fielding keeping the deficit down to only one following a smart double save in the 20th minute. First he pushed out a shot from Cavaleiro and then kept out the follow-up from close range by Edwards.

It was a vital intervention by Fielding and the full value of it became apparent when the Robins drew level seven minutes before half-time. A pass from Lee Tomlin pierced the centre of the Wolves defence and Abraham held off the challenge of Danny Batth to beat Ikeme with a rising drive.

Having been stunned to be dragged back on to level terms, worse was to follow for Wolves when Flint put City in control on the stroke of half-time. He rose above the Wolves defence to powerfully head home a left-wing corner from Josh Brownhill.

Abraham was then denied a second goal by a last-ditch block by Richard Stearman in the 51st minute before a touch of class by Costa put Wolves back into the match. Coady's long cross from the right wing flew straight to the far post and was converted with a first-time volley by Costa.

Wolves were revived after Costa's strike but looked set to be denied by Fielding, who saved from Matt Doherty and Edwards only to be then given no chance from the spot by Cavaleiro.

Wolves boss Paul Lambert:

"I thought we were brilliant. The entertainment value is unbelievable. It really is. The chances we created and how exciting we are going forward is fantastic.

"There is a great bit of flair in the side which I have always wanted in my teams. Going forward we are a threat. We are still a million miles from where I want to be but we look different to the team that started in August."

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson:

"I think the players 100 per cent thought it was (over the line). It is really difficult to see and I have had a look back at the DVD and it is tight. It shows that we definitely need (goal-line technology) in the Championship, with it being such a big and important league.

"It is disappointing but we have to make sure that when we are 2-1 up we close up the game a lot better than we did. There is not a lot wrong. A couple of players in key positions will help us."

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