Wolves 2 Swansea 1 – verdict

Tuesday 28th October 2008, 10:00PM GMT.

wolvesbadge.jpg

Wolves roared back to the top of the Championship after a Sylvan Ebanks-Blake brace saw off Swansea at Molineux.

See also: Wolves 2 Swansea 1 – in pictures

The England U21 striker opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time and got the winner in the second-half, after Darren Pratley’s equaliser had pegged the hosts back.

Wolves had well shaded the first 45 minutes and Ebanks-Blake finally made their dominance count, jostling past some poor marking to finish well past on-loan Blues goalkeeper Alex Krysiak.

Swansea, unbeaten in seven, were in no mood to go down without a fight and got an equaliser just four minutes into the second half.

Fede Bessone’s cross into the box was at the perfect height for Pratley, who finished with aplomb.

Parity lasted eight minutes. Carlos Edwards, recalled to the squad, put in the cross to Ebanks-Blake, who made no mistake for the match winner.

Wolves stood firm for the points and, coupled with Birmingham’s 1-0 loss at QPR, duly returned to the summit.


  1. 1
    Bournemouth Paul

    Two wins on the trot does nicely after our four game blip. We’re a proud lot, us Woves fans, a long and illustrious and famous history. Lets not forget though that oppositon counts, we can’t expect teams to roll over just because whom we are and our measured expectations, be it home or away. Stick with the team, the manager, stay together, this could just be our year.

    Come on you Wolves.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    floridawolf

    well done lads on what sounded a bitterly cold nite

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  3. 3
    Alan Taylor

    Solid performaance.Great result…worthyn ofb the top spot. Keep it up.

    Carolina Wolf.

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  4. 4
    SUPERSTARDJWOLVES

    Good win,, drunk as a skunk.. Nice to see normal service has resusmed and that sandwell town lost AGAIN…

    TerrysssssshhhhhhBaggie Silence is golden!

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    terry is a muppet

    Love the wolves good work. Cmon me boys beat those geordies!

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  6. 6
    wol1877ves

    welldone lads a good win against an inform team we played well at times a bit sharper infront of goal and could have been more lets hope this is the winning habbit starting again and we get better and better.bring on cardiff.hope shacks is ok after coming off injured,WE ARE WOLVES AND WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Aussie Ash Wolf

    Great result, hopefully this puts a stop to some of the whingers up there who sound like they are armchair critics to me, we are top of the table for gods sake at the 1/4 way mark.
    Also just to let you know Adelaide United are into the Asian Champions League final and top of the A League. So i for one am a happy ex wednesbury boy. Go you WOLVES.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    hi-ho wolverhampton

    theres 2 on the trot but y did they play donkey collins instead of maniceene the team should of been this:
    HENNESSY
    FOLEY
    STEARMAN
    MANICIENNE
    SHACKELL(OR WARD)
    C.EDWARDS
    JONES
    HENRY
    KIGHTLY
    EBANKS-BLAKE
    IWELUMO

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    hi-ho wolverhampton

    yh cum on wolves but didnt hear much of manicieene. c.edwards was brilliamt throughout the game and a beautiful cross 2 set up ebanks-blake.good finishing from ebanks-blake.???????what i dont get is what about hennessy, its like hes dissapeared, i think theres something goin on behind the scenes???????cant wait till saturday:) TOP OF THE LEAGUE>AGAIN!!!!!!

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Filtonwolf (Bristol)

    Wasn’t at the game but according to reports it was a hard fought win which we deserved. Massive game for us on Saturday against Cardiff.

    Well done lads ! The future is Gold and Black – Come on you Wolves !!

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  11. 11
    martin

    Great result, Sylvan’s goal was amazing. Why no Hennessey though? C’mon Mick, what’s happening there? Cardiff are on fire, so Saturday’s game should be great. Hoping for a Stearman/Shackell defence or the first time…

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    wolfie2468

    Good performance last night. Thought the set pieces were very good. Should of scored at least 3 more in my opinion but credit to Swansea. They played very well at times. Spread the ball about very well. Good 3 points last night. UP THE WOLVES ! !

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  13. 13
    Himley wolf

    Solid performance all round, could have been more if the ref hadn’t been so petty!. Welcome back Black that is what happens when you stay on your feet. Defence looked a little more sure also.
    Well done, a good night.
    Bring on MR JONES & Co!.

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  14. 14
    Clapham Wolf

    Na na na na na na na na na na na SYLVAN EBANKS-BLAKE, EBANKS BLAKE, SYLVAN EBANKS BLAKE!!!!

    What a legend, just scores goals for fun – what a night, Birmingham and Reading lose as well!!! But most importantly, so do the Baggies.

    We’ll wave to them as we go up and they go down.

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    make mine a marlon

    Excellent result against a good swansea outfit. They were well organised and played some great football in the second half, especially down the right flank, so taking 3 points was superb!!

    Foley was outstanding again last night, as too were Seb and Iwelumo and I didn’t think there was much wrong with big chris’s first disallowed goal!

    Looking forward to a trip to Cardiff sat, another 3 point in the bag is a must.

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    Golden Blood

    Reading lost too. Happy days

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    wolves ay we

    3 points & thats all that matters

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  18. 18
    Bob Wolf

    Good win in tough conditions.

    Despite looking like Bambi on Ice, Collins actually had a decent game. Although he would have been dropped if Stearman had found his way to the ground on time the plonker.

    Report abuse

  19. 19
    E11 Wolf

    This season we are winning games which we would have lost in previous times. Mick is so right about the attitude of the squad. Buying young and hungry means the players are motivated. They want success. They want the cash success brings.

    Heared the game on the radio and clearly Swansea are a good side and will take points off our rivals.

    One question…..|How on earth did Norwich hit us for 5 ????? And look at Reading…

    Very good to know that Brum are susceptable to playing rubbish. If you rely on scoring only one goal and hoping your defence hangs on – you deserve all the bad luck fate can provide….

    Cardiff…Dave Jones… We just gotta win.

    bringing my sons up. last time I did this we lost 6 – 0 to Southampton. Do you think that was a coincidence or are my sons bad luck. If they’re bad luck I don’t mind selling them to anyone who can give them a good home and afford to feed them (millionaires only then)

    Report abuse

  20. 20
    wolfie2468

    Get off Collins’ back ppl. Whats your prob ? Do you complain just cos u feel u can. Collins seems to get it in the neck for everything. Against Norwich, Stearman gets sent off and gave lots away, but oh yes i forgot, its Collins’ fault ain’t it ? Get over it. He had a decent game last night and I thoroughly expect him to be in the team on Saturday as a result of this. Scotland is one of the better strikers in this division, and the bloke done a very good job against him ! UP THE WOLVES ! !

    Report abuse

  21. 21
    raffo

    weres wolvesmod the moron

    Report abuse

  22. 22
    blondewolf

    we played really well shackell played great,but for me carlos edwards had a cracking game,his balls in the box were class!there was a great inprovement.

    Report abuse

  23. 23
    wolvesmod

    Let’s not forget Swansea were on a good run and were putting 3 goals past teams each week. Us included. Thought the ground staff could of made a bit more of an effort to clear the standing snow which made it tricky at times… but still. Bit of a sluggish game and not one to please the eye but it’s games like these we wouldn’t of won in the past and now we look like we finally have the cutting edge to finish teams off. Thought Shacks played well. Few key points in the game…

    1. Iwelumo’s disallowed goal was a load of rubbish, a perfectly timed attacking header. If that was a defensive header in the box do you really think the ref would give a pen?

    2. Don’t know what Collins was doing having a go at Henry when Jason Scotland spooned that open goal over the bar. Collins had been marking him all game. I thought it was shocking defending, anyone agree?

    3. Again, just like Reading, Swansea did there homework and doubled up on Stevie Ward every single time. Everything they threw came down that side. This needs addressed me thinks. I just don’t think he’s got the legs to play left back, fairplay to him tho for putting in the tackles on a freezing cold night.

    Up the Wolves.
    Keep the faith.

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  24. 24
    carl mayo

    awww swansea lost thats were i am from

    Report abuse

  25. 25
    magicmick will do it

    number 8. what a prat you are! neil collins won every thing in the air last nigth and when maniceene came on he was struggling to win any thing that was any high than 6 feet. would like to see him at left back.

    i think steerman should play instead of collins but if collins plays then support him!

    Report abuse

  26. 26
    rich5wolves

    8 – Macienne only arrived yesterday so didnt train or get to know the way we played, so how could he start……….

    We won so Micks plan did work against a side that looked one of the best we have had at Mol this season. The one move where they hit the bar was a fantastic creative bit of football.

    Report abuse

  27. 27
    THE REAL DUDLEY WOLF

    HEN IS GOING NOWHERE!! END OF. OUR GLORIOUS LEADERS PROMISED US AT THE BEGINING OF THE SEASON THAT NONE OF OUR YOUNG TALENT WOULD BE LEAVING. HOWEVER JEZ HAS GONE ALL QUIET AT THE MOMENT, WHAT HAS MORGAN TOLD HIM HE MUST DO IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL CLIMATE? I’M THINKING. C’MON YOU WOLVES, THE LEAGUE IS OURS.

    Report abuse

  28. 28
    brummie rob wolves

    Great result against a decent team. I am a bit disappointed in the fact that their manager thinks they were unlucky. What about the disallowed goals. The first one definitely looked ok.
    Collins only played as Stearman was late in traffic. He did well but cannot be deemed as first choice with the quality we now have at our disposal. Especially with the likes of Blues to play soon!

    Report abuse

  29. 29
    chris hoggard

    Credit where credit is due. Collins was excellent last night.Would not have won without him.

    Report abuse

  30. 30
    wolvesmod

    raffo loves me. bless.

    Report abuse

  31. 31
    W-ton ram

    23 I think you will find Reading have been the best side you have had at the Empty Mol.
    Low crowd again at your place, over 26000 of us at Pride Park and dont rule us out of promotion.
    You are still just kick and run at the moment, Swansea showed you how to play football, if you lot go up you will be worse than you mates up the road, you lot would be back down by november. Cant wait till we hammer you.

    Report abuse

  32. 32
    Ad Mant

    thats more like it Sylvan… knew you would start to hit the form of last season soon.. !!!!

    To be honest, Collins had a great game… so where does that leave us at the back ? I dont know. Certainly need some more time on the training pitch and I think a returning Jody will help the cause no end.

    Anyways, who cares, its 3 more points and we are
    TOP OF THE LEAGUE SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE…

    Report abuse

  33. 33
    besty

    wow what a difference a tuesday makes,last tuesday our team did’nt turn up,BUT last night great game,all credit to swansea there passing was class in patches,but we did the job well done lads ,thats one welsh team done now for cardiff on sat,up the wolves.

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  34. 34
    Caribbean Wolves

    A Derby fan bragging! What next? Perfect night!

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  35. 35
    Well Wisher

    There is so much drivel posted on here it is unbelievable. Swansea were a very, very good team and in my opinion only second to Reading at Mol this year. Their football at times in the second half left the wolves chasing shadows. Although they did look vulnerable at the back and the Goalkeeper seemed unsure.

    Wolves did contribute to the equalising goal, giving the ball away when they actually had Swansea at full stretch and themselves over committed.

    Kightley appeared under the weather and failed to shut down their full back, who caused us plenty of trouble.

    Carlos Edwards has not filled Jarvis’s boots and did not have a particularly good game. The defence still looks a little fragile and thought S ward buts in a quite good performance he is not a full back and that again caused problems with the winger have far to much room in which to run and pass. SEB was again fantastic.

    Overall a good win against a very good team.

    Report abuse

  36. 36
    Bob Wolf

    W-ton ram?? I think you are forgetting that Albion have almost topped your ENTIRE points haul from last season already you muppet.

    Your team has been the biggest embarrassment to the Premier League ever, so I’d keep quiet and stick to your own boards it I were you.

    Last time I looked at the league table you were 11 points behind us?? idiot!!

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  37. 37
    Tim

    Collins had a good game last night fairplay to him keep it up… Good atmosphere last night I thought very positive for the players and all the fans 3 points Top again but Brum are rite behind us lets keep em there… Come on the Wolves…
    Oh and well done the Geordies!!!

    Report abuse

  38. 38
    SUPERSTARDJWOLVES

    Comment 28. After your embarrasing show in the premiership last season, you got the nerve to have a pop. Derby are rubbish and when we play you, you’ll learn like most teams how good we are and we havent even hit top gear yet.

    Hows your mgr, has he appeared in the news of the world lately….

    Report abuse

  39. 39
    korean wolf

    Stearman what a plonker! Late for work at
    6-00pm I have never been late for work in 40 years at 6-00am.
    Collins seems to have had a cracker and fair play to him especially when he must have originally known that he wasn’t going to start so lets get off his back.
    We are winning and thats what it is all about. A very tough game against Cardiff on Saturday and even a draw will be a good result.
    Remember we are opening a gap over Reading.
    Come on you Wolves!

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  40. 40
    StillHateTheAlbion

    28. Empty mol…kick and run??? Tuesday night bad weather…even stearman didnt make it haha! Swansea didnt sell all there tickets and I dont think you will hammer us. Jealous are you. Swansea played some good stuff we played better, should have won by more but we beat them and we are top so what exactly is you point.

    Idiot!

    Report abuse

  41. 41
    notawolvesbooer

    Well said no 1.

    Report abuse

  42. 42
    terryPROUD2BAbaggie

    great win over the mighty swansea ,they couldent have sold there tickets being as you had such a small gate, aye boing boing donk

    Report abuse

  43. 43
    terryPROUD2BAbaggie

    4,superbastewdwilf,one thing i never am is quite infact you could hear me loud n clear at the moll over the last few years,but it also appears some of your fans cant take it and want me bloccked,aye boing boing donk

    Report abuse

  44. 44
    Gordon Bennett!

    where was stearman last night, and what on earth is happening with Wayne. we can’t sell Wayne as Ikeme bless him isn’t a premier quality keeper and Murray isn’t back yet and could be out of the picture injured again. He is a completely unknown quantity at present.We could end up with only Ikeme and no cover. What is going on at the Mol?
    Great win last night, Uwelumo was immense won everything in the air and great to see Ebanks scoring two cracking goals.

    Report abuse

  45. 45
    terryPROUD2BAbaggie

    36,dumbo, it a 29 not 28 and i agree with him,derby are a much bigger club than you,better ground,better crowds,better team and they will finish above you as will a few other teams,aye boing boing donk

    Report abuse

  46. 46
    wol1877ves

    28 W-ton ram you sadsack you think you can beat us no chance.then you got the nerve to say if we go up we will be relegated by november ironic really from a team relegated the day you got promoted lol should have stayed in the championship where you belong and our so called mates up the road are already only 1 point of your season total didnt you do well lmao.WE ARE WOLVES

    Report abuse

  47. 47
    wolvesmod

    To be fair… Swansea brought a good number of fans for a Tuesday night game. You can’t knock them.

    Without them our attendance would of been 19,000 odd. I thought our attendance was poor for a team top of the league in form.

    Even Saturday attendances are poor.

    How come the likes of Norwich and Derby get more than us?

    lol saying that you do get quite a few muppets who sit on here all day whilst the game is on. i.e our friend raffo.

    Report abuse

  48. 48
    make mine a marlon

    29 – Stick to your whippet breading as you obviously know sweet fa about football.

    plank.

    Report abuse

  49. 49
    wolves1877

    29. 11 points and no win for a year that’ll take some beating eh you mug.

    Report abuse

  50. 50
    brummie rob wolves

    29) Your already ruled out so jog on!
    Your gates might be something to do with the fact that your season tickets are £150 cheaper at your tinpot ground.
    You have got nowhere near the quality of squad or the financial clout to compete with us!

    Report abuse

  51. 51
    terryPROUD2BAbaggie

    i wonder who harewood will choose premiership stoke city or chumpionship wilfs,now let me think about it, aye boing boing donk

    Report abuse

  52. 52
    bill

    why was Iwelumo`s first goal ruled out ? I was in the south bank and couldnt see anything wrong with it

    Report abuse

  53. 53
    Tim

    Terry proud to be a baggie..Are youy really proud as i think you need to look in the Mirror sunshine… WHAT A LOAD OF PANTS YOU WERE LAST NIGHT!!!!

    Report abuse

  54. 54
    David

    Collins was superb last night – he has played very well all season. we are top of the league and a few points clear of a very good side in third place!!

    Swansea pushed us and we outfought them. Give credit where it is due. Mick, Steve and Jez are getting it right.

    We will have bad days between now and the end of the season and instantly the halfbrains who call themselves supporters will be on here complaining.

    Let’s enjoy what is happening, let’s understand that no team can win every match, support the management team and encourage the players. Yes, encourage the players – if they make mistakes – and they will – what is better for them? To have a crowd of idiots immediately slagging them off or support and encouragement to get over it and do better next time.

    A bit of a no-brainer really!!

    Things are looking good. Let’s be cautiously optimistic and enjoy it!!!!

    Best Wishes
    David

    Report abuse

  55. 55
    W-ton ram

    I now know why my company in Derby sent me W-Ton to train you idiots, I have noticed that you accept anything as luxury, I have seen the Semi detached Sheds you all live in, no wonder you can not afford the entrance fee into your little ground, only you lot could build a ground with the same style of the 40s and 50s, Oh yes that was the last time you did anything.

    Report abuse

  56. 56
    manchesterwolf

    neanderthal 52. i think it is the best of the modern stadiums. all the boring “bowels” like yours are all the same. as for derby the land before time – shaved apes, end of!

    Report abuse

  57. 57
    wolves1877

    52. What a plank you are crawl back to your direby slums, or better still jog on to sandwell you’ll fit in well with the steptoe’s

    Report abuse

  58. 58
    bringbacksammychung

    Where was Micky Gray last night??? Had he picked up a knock?

    Report abuse

  59. 59
    Golden Blood

    W-ton Ram. All I have to say is what a great premier club you made. ha ha ha We are top of the league.

    Jealousy is a horrible condition!!

    Report abuse

  60. 60
    terryPROUD2BAbaggie

    45,wilfmud,to be fair cold tuesday night in winter west brom on the box no wonder your gate was down they stayed at home too watch us,aye boing boing donk

    Report abuse

  61. 61
    Bob Wolf

    W-ton ram…
    you really are a prize spanner. Nothing more to add really than that.

    Report abuse

  62. 62
    Wordsley Wolf

    terryPROUD2BAbaggie – what an absolute fool you are.

    Good to see you spouting your usual illiterate rubbish.

    It’s your club that needs Harewood sonny, any idea how many goals we’ve scored this year?

    Plank.

    Report abuse

  63. 63
    mart true wolves

    comment 8 don’t know if you at the game mate but Collins never gave Scotland a kick all night he was outstanding so no donkey comments

    Report abuse

  64. 64
    mart true wolves

    w-ton Ram you talk like an idiot no wonder they sent you to work somewhere else pity it wasn’t Coventry

    Report abuse

  65. 65
    raffo

    wolvesmod u eva go out all i seem to see is ur needless comments

    Report abuse

  66. 66
    W-ton ram

    55 are you really that stupid, thats why your owner will spend the 30 Million building you a proper little stadium, about 15000 capacity would do for you, in breeds, how many major cups have you lot won in the last 30 years, oh yes the midland red bus trophy. How many times have you been in the European Cups, and I dont mean the Sherpa Van Cup. Lets see your position in May 09 by then Mad MM will have fallen out with all the team except Ward Keogh and your new super star Collins.

    Report abuse

  67. 67
    TelWolf

    43. PROUD2BAsaggy
    you are never quite what? literate? learn to spell!

    Report abuse

  68. 68
    brummie rob wolves

    54) Your team, manager and supporters are a total embarassment to the Midlands.
    I remember when we had to travel to one of the worst grounds ever – the Baseball ground.
    You must be the only Derby fan in Wolverhampton unlike the other way round, whereby I know a few.
    What you training people as a binman?

    Report abuse

  69. 69
    wolves ay we

    54- you sheep heads got 4,000 more fans than us big deal! you have just come down from the prem wait til next year & then see what gates you will be getting.

    Report abuse

  70. 70
    Westport Wolf

    What’s that Derby fan on about? He thinks they’re gonna do us! Pah! Dream on mate. Yeah, our attendances have been a bit low, but think about the economic situation etc. Your fans from the prem days are sticking with you along with cheap ticket prices. Our attendeances will rise, mark my words. And… the Wolves will slaughter the Rams, or should that be lambs.

    Report abuse

  71. 71
    Roger

    I’ve read some comments and i’m appauled at some of the recent jibes by our so called supporters. I was there last night with the rest of them and i know we beat a very good team. Fair Credit to them – There was no Cards Issued last night – so that’s something the game showed – Hard and Fair in difficult conditions.
    Yes we did not play as good as we did previously – but Swansea were as good as any Team we have played at the Molineux this season to date (Including Reading).
    We all have our moans but at the end of October we are at the Top – would anyone
    have predicted this at the Start.
    Keep it going Mick – sometimes like your team selections you mistify us – but we cannot complain where we are.
    Keep the spirit up for another hard match on Saturday against Cardiff.

    Report abuse

  72. 72
    jon

    What rubbish is this rams fan on about? Grow up a bit mate, jealousy is a horrible thing. I actually think Derby will make the playoffs but just lose out. Never mind, he can argue with the Baggies fans then after they are relegated.

    Report abuse

  73. 73
    shewolf

    Well it comes to something when a Derby fan thinks he can come on here and gloat!!!

    Pride Park is built on a former radioactive waste site- it appears the radiation might have gone to his head ( that is trusting he’s not one of those who was calling for Jewell’s head at the start if the season and he actually goes to the gmae.)

    Pride Park has no atmosphere and nothing unique about it. It could be any of the new hastily thrown together stadia.

    Molineux is a name of historical importance and sends a shiver down the spine at it’s mere utterance.Molineux has a uniqueness about it that persuaded even Sir Edward Elgar to become an anrdent Wolves fan, cycling there from Kempsey, near Worcester, to see his heroes.

    Hope you can make it to the midweek game in December to see just how speacial Molineux is for yourself.

    Report abuse

  74. 74
    maltawolf

    Just arrived home after last nights game,although i think we deserved the win Swansea played very well and for me highlighted the shortcomings,Ikeme 1 superb save but did not install confidence,Ward caught out of posistion to easily not a left back,Foley superb all night my man of the match,Collins plenty of endeavor but not a Centre back,will always score but being opened up to easily,Looking forward to coming back for the Barnsley game December.

    Report abuse

  75. 75
    Stuart Randles

    Been a fan since a kid,but never kept up with it till now.C’mon the Premiership next year!!!!! we deserve it,being one of the oldest clubs.

    Report abuse

  76. 76
    knocker

    STEARMAN NOT COLLINS

    Report abuse



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