Bristol City 1 Wolves 2 – player ratings

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers rates the players after an unforgettable win at Bristol City.

John Ruddy

Outstanding early save to guide Jamie Paterson's header past the post. A question mark over the goal but with Reid hitting it low and true, plus the slight deflection, it feels harsh to criticise. 7/10

Danny Batth

On first viewing it looked a red card but when you slow it down on replay, at the point of contact Batth's foot is studs-down and low, making it merely a late (and non malicious) tackle which was worthy of a yellow card. It takes some analysing, though, and opinion was wildly split last night even with the benefit of replays, which shows what a tough job referees have. Wolves intend to appeal. The club captain will be desperate for that to succeed given he had to wait so long (two months) for his chance in the first team again. 3/10

Conor Coady

Mopped up plenty of danger and used possession wisely in what was a solid performance. 7/10

Willy Boly

Caught out of position trying to win the ball back for Bristol's goal but otherwise this was a usual Boly performance of strength and discipline. 7/10

Matt Doherty

Doherty ran, ran and ran. And then ran some more. The man's work ethic would put a Japanese ant colony to shame. And it was his fierce determination that played a big part in Wolves getting back in this game – he made a great run for Cavaleiro to feed and was never going to let keeper Fielding or a Bristol City defender get to the ball first. Great persistence which typified his attitude. Was excellent at Millwall too so he's had a great week. 8/10

Romain Saiss

After the red card it became Saiss' sort of game and he relished the occasion. Put a tremendous shift in, did nothing daft in possession and helped restrict City's space in the Wolves third, particularly for Paterson. Made a superb run which nearly led to a goal and it was Saiss whose perseverance won the free kick for the winner. A calm and reassuring presence. 8/10

Ruben Neves

Some enchanting passes from Neves, as we've come to expect. A dink over the top for Costa was heavenly. But much of his performance was about protecting that back three/five. 7/10

Barry Douglas

The guy's left foot is so accurate it could locate new species on Mars. Put one free kick against the post, another in the net (via a deflection) and another on Ryan Bennett's head for a famous winner. He was actually pretty quiet in open play, spending most of the evening defending. His dead ball expertise has become a prolific weapon in Wolves' armoury. 8/10

Helder Costa

Wildly inconsistent. Costa looked back to his 2016/17 self at Millwall on Boxing Day, providing two assists, but the only thing he provided here was an excuse to drop him again. Just didn't look with it. Nothing came off, he was half a yard off the pace and produced one of the worst shots of the season which hit the roof. Nuno will have done the same. 4/10

Leo Bonatini

Was the sacrificial lamb after Batth's dismissal. 3/10

Diogo Jota

A thankless task feeding off scraps for the most part when Wolves had a man disadvantage, but like Costa he failed to make an impact when in possession. A couple of nice moments here and there but his form has certainly dipped in the past month. 6/10

Substitutes

Ryan Bennett (for Bonatini, 17)

Helped steady the ship at a crucial point in the match. A no-nonsense display and then he pops up with the winning goal to make himself the unlikely hero. 8/10

Ivan Cavaleiro (for Costa, 62)

The game-changer. Perhaps smarting at having been dropped, Cavaleiro made a huge impact with his positive attitude and excellent movement. It was his pinpoint pass that led to Fielding's red card and he also almost teed up a Saiss goal with a fantastic through ball. Took the game by the scruff of the neck just when Wolves needed him to. 8/10