Wolves continued their push for promotion with a 4-3 victory over Leeds United in Easter Monday’s late kick off.
Leeds went ahead through Charlie Taylor’s close range effort in the 11th minute, before a first half brace from Nouha Dicko gave Wolves the lead at half time. Afobe added the 3rd just minutes into the second half, but an own goal from Danny Batth and a wonderful finish from Alex Mowatt put the game at 3-3. Dave Edwards’ header with just minutes left gave Wolves all three points at Molineux.
The home side started the better out of the two teams in the first 10 minutes, Dicko having two chances to put Wolves ahead in the opening exchanges. It was Leeds however, who took the lead after capitalising on poor defending by the hosts. Kevin McDonald’s poor clearance struck one of his own players and the ball fell to Charlie Taylor, who tapped the ball in from close range to secure his first goal for the club. Wolves responded well to going behind, but Sako failed to beat Silvestri after latching on to a header from Dicko.
Leeds didn’t hold the lead for long. Benik Afobe saw an effort run across the face of the goal, and Dicko managed to beat the keeper from a tight angle to draw Wolves level in the 19th minute. Wolves continued to pressure Leeds, as James Henry tested the Leeds goalkeeper on a couple of occasions, and Bakary Sako saw his effort deflected over not long before the break. However, it was Dicko again who put Wolves ahead in first half stoppage time. The forward ran onto a ball over the top, raced past the Leeds defence and beat Silvestri at his near post, giving Wanderers the lead at the break.
Wolves came out in the second half much like the one that had played in the first, and it wasn’t long before they extended their advantage. Leeds failed to clear the ball following a scramble in the box, Batth’s effort from outside the area struck his own man, and finally the ball landed at the feet of Benik Afobe who hit the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the Leeds 6 yard box. Afobe, who joined Wolves in January, scoring his 10th goal in 16 appearances for the West Midlands side.
The game looked in the bag for Wolves, until an error from captain Batth saw him put the ball into his own net, and give Leeds hope of a fight back. Leeds looked for the equaliser, Antenucci and debutant Kalvin Phillips combined well but nobody was there to finish off Phillips’ cutback into the box. Leeds’ pressure paid off, as a fine finish from Alex Mowatt drew the visitors level in the 74th minute. Mowatt punished Wolves’ poor passing and picked up the ball inside the Wolves half, drove towards goal and curled a left footed effort into the top corner of Ikeme’s goal, the 9th goal of the season for the Leeds youngster.
Both sides searched for a winner, Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi stopped substitute Rejiv Van La Parra from slotting home after he was let through by the United defence. Silvestri came to the rescue for Leeds again, preventing Afobe from putting in a cross from the left with just 5 minutes of normal time left. Leeds’ defence couldn’t keep Wolves out in the end, David Edwards secured all 3 points for the home side after heading home from a ball in the box, a finish that left Silvestri well beaten. The result lifted Wolves up into the play off places, and left Leeds sitting in 14th.
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett summed up his sides performance by saying;
“We can sense something happening and we just need to focus on getting our game right. If we keep improving and show a hunger to play good football, the crowd will follow us”.
United head coach Neil Redfearn was proud of the way his side fought back in the second half – “Wolves know they’ve been in a game”. Redfearn also expects to be in charge for Leeds’ remaining 5 fixtures of the season, and has revealed that under the terms of his contract, Leeds owner Massimo Cellino must inform him whether or not he still has the role for next season before the Rotherham game on May 2nd.
Leeds fans continued to offer support for Redfearn, as well as praising Kalvin Phillips, who made his Leeds debut at the age of 19.
Don’t get the “Phillips is out of his depth” stuff. Looked composed//tidy 1st half. Clearly knackered in the 2nd but good signs, imo. #lufc
— ET (@EastStandUpper) April 6, 2015
Totally behind Redfearn. Absolutely 100%. #lufc — Gavin (@DoctorLeeds) April 6, 2015
Wolves fans were pleased to see their side continue their push for promotion.
Bloodyhell Wolves you don’t do it the easy way! Come on me babbies! ⚽️⚽️❤️
— Alex Grove (@_AGrove) April 6, 2015
Sore throat, ear ache, nerves shredded & nails bitten down to nothing. Yes I’m a #wwfc supporter & I wouldn’t have it any other way! #proud
— Mark Bromley (@bromWWFC) April 6, 2015
