Wolves were dominant for large parts of this match and showed the nous to kill it off. The players seem to be settling into the new 4-3-3 formation and this was a much more accomplished performance than Wednesday night against Walsall. Burnley are a much better team than Walsall, and - despite losing their first two games - Burnley have a real chance of the pay-offs this year. But they can't begrudge us our three points and three goals, because despite a battling display Wolves fully deserved this victory.
The first half contained about as much as a half can. An early goal, a sending off, a missed penalty and the first appearance in a Wolves shirt of the guv'nor.
Those who were still getting their Doritos for the match, or who were just finishing off their pint, would have missed the blistering start made by Wolves. Barely one minute was on the clock when Cameron's shot from outside the area was spilled by their goalie and Blake latched onto it and sent a left-footed shot into the top right of their goal. Blake our first forward to score this season. Who would have thought it?
Burnley were being very physical in their challenges and after about five minutes a particularly "strong" challenge on Cameron saw him leave the field for the match.
While Wolves were down to ten men because Cameron hadn't been replaced, Burnley continued to test the referee with their challenges - finally being reduced to ten men themselves for the rest of the match. Ex-Wolves midfielder Paul Cook took out Alex Rae and found himself dismissed.
Then Wolves were back to eleven men when Ince - the Guv'nor - came on for the injured Cameron. A substitution which can hardly have been planned, but had been eagerly anticipated. Ince replaced Ingimarsson in the formation sitting in front of the centre backs. Ingimarsson filled the left hand role vacated by the injured Cameron.
As so often happens, the side down to ten men suddenly galvanised themselves. But, although Wolves did look a little rattled, ultimately always looked in control. After about twenty minutes Wolves came back into the match, getting their passing game going. A tiring Burnley were being pulled around the pitch.
Butler had a header saved and then a shot cleared off the line. Then one of their defenders hand balled a Miller shot and the ref gave a penalty. Butler handed the ball to Miller, obviously to give him his first goal and boost his confidence. Unfortunately the plan backfired. Miller missed. The penalty wasn't awful, but it gave their goalkeeper enough of a chance to catch the shot.
Half time 1-0
The second half started much as the first one had. A foul by Davis on Ince led to a free kick on the edge of the area. Irwin took it right-footed and it nestled, just under the bar in the top-left of goal. Beckham-esque, as many people pointed out.
After that Wolves killed off the game. They passed the ball making a tired Burnley even more tired.
Wolves didn't seem as if they'd go to sleep as they had against Walsall. However we did have one scare when Oakes dropped a free kick and Lescott had to clear off the line.
Cooper came on for Rae and then Sturridge came on for Miller.
Cooper looked very lively and I have a feeling thsat this formation will suit him. With about ten minutes to go he shot right-footed from right side of penalty area and hit the bar. Then, just about on full time, Cooper lobbed their keeper from right side of penalty area having been put clear by Newton.
I'm getting into this 4-3-3 formation, and if it brings home matches like this, then I'm all for it. However, I'm not sure that this formation will be as effective away from home. Certainly it will come in for a stern test against Derby next week.
While other eyes may have been on the current Man Utd squad, it was two Man U old boys who made the difference at Molineux today, backed up by great performances by the rest of the squad, Cooper in particular. Impressive. So far.
FT: 3-0 |
