The Tim Spiers debrief – Crystal Palace 0 Wolves 1

The victory moved them to the heady heights of seventh in the Premier League table.

Battling boys

Saturday’s performance showcased yet another string to Wolves’ bow – namely their battling qualities and dogged determination.

This was a side to Nuno’s Wolves we rarely had to see last season when they were running away with the Championship.

But, as at Old Trafford a few weeks ago, they had to roll their sleeves up (as Steve Bull would say) and do some proper muck and nettles defending.

Bodies were thrown on the line, the ball was whacked clear, there were headers, tackles and interceptions galore and Rui Patricio had to make an excellent double-save.

They even started dishing out some rough treatment that Neil Warnock would have been proud of, targeting Wilfried Zaha with a couple of fouls that were firm but not malicious.

Even Ivan Cavaleiro got in on the act, going head to head with Patrick van Aanholt as a fractured match got heated in the closing stages.

Again, as at Old Trafford, Wolves defended with such rigid organisation that their Portuguese keeper was rarely called into action, even during a frantic final 10 minutes.

We associate Wolves with class, grace, elegance and entertainment. They’re usually the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of the Premier League.

At Selhurst Park they showed they could do some coarse, rough and ready Rage Against the Machine funk metal too.

There are many ways to skin a cat and Wolves are proving adept at a few different methods already.

That's just one of the many reasons why supporters are getting excited for what could lie ahead in the coming months.

Dreamland

Their best top flight run since 1979 has seen Nuno’s team climb to a lofty seventh in the table.

In front of the watching Fosun boss Guo Guangchang and agent supremo Jorge Mendes, Wolves were far from at their fluent best but, as we’ve seen time and again in the past 14 months, they just know how to win football matches.

A settled back three are incredibly hard to play through. Messrs Bennett, Coady and Boly look so familiar by each other’s sides that you wonder if Coady wakes up in the morning expecting to see Bennett lying to his right and Boly to his left.

Confidence among the squad is soaring – you don’t detect the slightest bit of fear or trepidation, no matter who they’re playing.

That fearlessness is a big thing. They’re a team that doesn’t know when it’s beaten and a team that can give anyone in this league a game.

They’ve now overcome four teams (West Ham, Burnley, Southampton and Crystal Palace) who you’d expect to be in and around the mid-table positions this season. They’ve done so without conceding a single goal.

Once they start to click at the other end, Wolves will be a frightening proposition.

Indeed, that was the only negative here. Raul Jimenez and a below-par Diogo Jota spurned good opportunities, with Wolves still lacking that clinical touch.

Not that it matters too much if they’re going to produce stats like three clean sheets in four matches, or two goals conceded in six games (to the two Manchester clubs).

Big Boly

A big reason behind that has been the form of Willy Boly, who after a jittery start to Premier League life has returned to the form of last season.

Boly has all the attributes to shine in the top flight and he’ll soon start attracting attention with more performances like this.

Indeed, if Jonny Castro Otto is in the Spain squad and Helder Costa is in the Portugal squad, then what chance Boly earning a call-up for France?

His goal-saving block was outstanding but more impressive was his shackling of Zaha, who had got the better of the big centre half in the opening minutes. Boly clearly enjoyed the tussle – dishing out some verbals to the winger – and came out on top.

What the Doc ordered

The transformations of Coady and Matt Doherty in the past two years have been nothing short of remarkable.

Coady struggled to hold down a place as a ball-winning midfielder and was then a jobbing right-back for the best part of a season.

Doherty had a spell of being in and out the team, then found himself at left-back for a while.

They’re now thriving in a top half Premier League team as a centre-half and a wing-back respectively.

Doherty was the match-winner here as his career-best form continued with a fine goal which showcased his immense confidence, not to mention his positive attacking endeavours.

Defensively he was sound, as usual, in front of the watching Martin O’Neill who must surely, surely, pick him for Ireland next week, particularly with Seamus Coleman out injured.

After years in the wilderness, Wolves are making a name for themselves again – the Premier League remains the most-watched league in the world and Wolves will be winning fans from Coseley to Costa Rica.

But it would be great to see some of their star players make a name for themselves too, especially Doherty who’s certainly earned his moment in the sun.

What next?

With games against Watford (who were thumped 4-0 at home by Bournemouth on Saturday and are now winless in five after their initial great start) and Brighton to follow after the international break, Wolves have a wonderful opportunity to do something eye-catching in terms of where they might be in the league after 10 games.

They’re only three points behind the Champions League places and a top half finish could quickly, if it hasn’t already, become the minimum requirement this season.

Believe it or not, they’re already 12 points ahead of the relegation places. Any fears of a relegation battle have surely been banished.

Wolves’ great start isn’t a flash in the pan, it isn’t just carrying on momentum from last season. They’re here to stay – and at this rate they could be set to do something very special indeed.

Final word

Star man: Willy Boly

The boss: The new Special One

Fans: Outsang the hosts

Magic moment: Nuno celebrating with the fans at full time

In a word: Dogged

Picture perfect: