SEB shows shades of Bully

Charlton 2 Wolves 3

Wolves fans have craved a centre forward idol ever since Steve Bull, writes Tim Nash.

Now they might just have found him – and in birthday boy Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, they have a man bang in form who just might make the difference in the promotion race.

Not even Bull ever tried the audacious flick Ebanks-Blake performed to beat Paddy McCarthy in the build-up to his amazing second goal at The Valley, although the bludgeoning finish was right out of the legend's locker.

You know you've cracked it when you get your own song after fans chanted his name to the KC and the Sunshine Band's 1982 hit 'Give It Up'.

No wonder boss Mick McCarthy and captain Karl Henry reckoned he was infuenced by the Diego Maradona DVD the players watched en route to Charlton.

His magical second goal made it nine in 14 games for the club since his £1.5m move from Plymouth in January on his 22nd birthday.

It's a strike rate not even the great Bull managed in his opening games for the club.

Much like the £64,000 Molineux record scorer, the money Steve Morgan splashed out is already starting to look like a bargain.

Credit to McCarthy because after the fluctuating fortunes of Jay Bothroyd, Stephen Elliott, Freddy Eastwood, Kevin Kyle and Stephen Ward, he's never been afraid to stick his neck out.

And he's been rewarded because he's struck gold with Ebanks-Blake.

Based on his exploits this season, Ebanks-Blake is going to the Premier League by hook or by crook – but he's giving Wolves every chance of getting there with him leading the charge.

But it's not just his goals that are underpinning Wolves' late burst into the play-off positions. His power, pace, presence and workrate are also reminiscent of a memorable number nine and Charlton's defence was no match for this rampaging bulldozer of a striker.

Timing, it's said, is everything and like Ebanks-Blake, Wolves appear to be hitting form at just the right moment.

Of the teams in the top half of the Championship – and 12th placed Cardiff, with two games in hand on most of the rest, are only five points off Wolves – McCarthy's men have the second-best record over the last eight League matches.

Wolves' tally of 17 points from 24 is bettered only by third-placed Hull, who have 18. Placed against their rivals, Wolves' return to form is even more impressive: five more than Bristol City, Albion, Ipswich and Cardiff, seven more than Stoke and Plymouth, 10 more than Watford, four more than Crystal Palace, six more than Burnley and a whopping 12 more than fast-fading Charlton. Wolves' destiny is entirely in their own hands too, with Bristol City, Albion, Ipswich, Cardiff and Plymouth in their last six games.

It really can go either way, but such is the momentum Wolves are suddenly gathering, you wouldn't back against them.

Perhaps it's unfortunate then that they don't play again until their trip to the current leaders at Ashton Gate in 12 days' time, by which time their rivals could have gained a precious advantage.

Once the celebrations of his 22nd birthday have worn off, it's a fair bet Ebanks-Blake will be kicking his heels and counting down the days until the next game in the mood he's in at the moment.

To solely salute the former Manchester United reserve however would be unfair as the spine of this never-say-die Wolves team did as much to clinch a fourth away win in five as anything.

In goal, Wayne Hennessey made two superb second half saves to deny Greg Halford and Leroy Lita at the zenith of Charlton's belated comeback.

In front of him, the determined Jody Craddock did his chances of winning a new contract no harm at all with a superb display.

Seyi Olofinjana continued his much-improved form as he ran the midfield in the first half before the half-time arrival of Zheng Zhi gave the visitors something to think about.

And all around there were enterprising performances from a Wolves side who continued where they had left off against QPR with another bright and snappy performance.

While it took to the 95th minute to salvage a point nine days ago, they again left it just as late, but this time it was to secure victory. As McCarthy said afterwards, deserved it was too.

Wolves took the game to Charlton, playing the better football and creating the more chances during a one-sided first half in which they should have been in front instead of drawing 1-1.

OIofinjana headed wide before Ebanks-Blake powered home the opener in 15th minute.

Taking a low cross from the tireless Andy Keogh in his stride with his back to goal, he left Halford on his backside with a swivel of his hips before lashing home a fierce left foot drive from just inside the area.

Leroy Lita floated a looping header over but Wolves remained the dominant force with Michael Gray volleying wide, George Elokobi heading over and Ebanks-Blake having a shot blocked.

So it was with some surprise when Charlton equalised through Halford in the 32nd minute, his low volley seemingly seen by Hennessey late as it sailed past a crowd of players from Jerome Thomas's cross following Darren Ambrose's deep corner.

There was even some fortune attached to it, with replays showing the foul by Henry on Matt Holland in the build-up which led to the flag-kick saw the Wolves captain clearly take the ball.

Predictably, and presumably after a rocket from boss Alan Pardew, Charlton improved and Hennessey pulled off a breathtaking leap to tip over Halford's 25-yard free kick before blocking clean-through Lita with his legs.

Substitute Lee Cook was only just wide from distance before Wolves appeared to snatch the points with one of the best goals you're likely to see this season from Ebanks-Blake.

Lita had other ideas however, heading home a hit-and-hope ball from Sam Sodje.

But Wolves weren't finished and they grabbed that deserved winner when Henry stabbed home Kyle's cross at the far post.

That fighting spirit as well as the cool nerves will be vital in the coming weeks. But they're in there with a great chance.