Express & Star

John Ruddy reveals good fortune with Wolves penalty save

John Ruddy was Wolves' hero at Cardiff – but if he'd remembered his research it may have been a different story.

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The goalkeeper brilliantly pushed Gary Madine's spot kick past the post in the 93rd minute of injury time.

Cardiff then spurned yet another penalty two minutes later as Wolves dramatically moved a huge step closer to promotion against Neil Warnock's Bluebirds.

The 31-year-old said: "I'm not sure I've been involved in something like that before, with two penalties in quick succession.

"The outcome was fair. Over the course of the game we deserved the win."

Ruddy saves from Gary Madine

Before the game the ex-Norwich man researched where Madine has put his previous penalties...normally to the keeper's right.

However the studying completely went out the window when Ruddy forgot his research...and it was a good job he did.

Ruddy explained: "I did the research (on Madine) and then I forgot the research! So I went off a gut feeling. And luckily I did because all his other penalties have gone the other way.

"I don't save many in fairness, it was good timing to save one.

"If you've seen my penalty record you'll know (I didn't expect to save it)!

"We stood up tall and stood strong."

Ruddy is mobbed by his team mates

It was a busy game for Ruddy aside from the penalties and he made a crucial save from Yanic Wildschut's free kick in the first half.

Cardiff also pumped balls into the box via corners, free kicks and long throws.

Ruddy added: "As a goalkeeper you want to try and come and help but they do it so well in terms of set pieces with Gunnarsson, he's a nuisance.

"The boys were outstanding in front of me, credit goes to them.

"It's nice because of the timing of it, because of who it was against and because of what it meant to every one of us.

"You saw at the end (what it meant) at the final whistle. We knew it was a big game. We've got seven points from the past week – before the week started you'd have taken that.

"Seven points gets us closer to where we want to be.

"We go again on Wednesday with another tough game against a good team.

"It's on our hands."