Ivan Cavaleiro’s 40th minute goal has given Wolves a 1-0 lead over the Blues at half-time at Molineux.

Cole Skuse and Jonas Knudsen missed out due to injury and illness respectively with Kevin Bru and Myles Kenlock starting in an otherwise unchanged Town team.

Youngsters Adam McDonnell, who was recalled from his loan at Aldershot on Thursday, and Pat Webber were among the subs along with David McGoldrick and sub keeper Michael Crowe, with Dean Gerken out with a hip problem.

Leaders Wolves made one change with Barry Douglas replacing Ruben Vinagre at left-back.

Before the game had really started in earnest Wolves attacker Diogo Jota underwent treatment after apparently having his foot inadvertently stepped on. But with a new boot, the on-loan Atlético Madrid man was able to continue.

Ruben Neves struck the game’s first shot in the 10th minute from distance out on the left but Bartosz Bialkowski had little trouble claiming.

Two minutes later, Neves played a clever ball over the Blues’ backline for Cavaleiro to chase but the Portuguese striker was unable to get it under control.

Town’s first opportunity came in the 16th minute when Joe Garner was tripped 25 yards out, however, Martyn Waghorn’s freekick flew well over.

A minute later, there was a momentary scare for Wolves keeper John Ruddy when he had to stretch for a pass-back played to him inside his six-yard box but the ex-Canary was able to avoid embarrassment.

Unsurprisingly Wolves had had most of the ball in the opening 25 minutes but without putting the Blues under any real pressure or testing Bialkowski.

Town’s Polish keeper was made to work a little more seriously on 26 when Jota seized on some loose defending midway inside the Blues’ half and after battling with Adam Webster struck a shot which Bialkowski saved comfortably to his left.

Garner won another freekick 25 yards out on 31 but Bersant Celina’s curling shot was saved by Ruddy to his left.

Wolves carved out their best chance up to then in the 34th minute when Jota was found in behind the backline making a run to the left. However, as he looked to shoot Kenlock got a cross to block. Following the corner, Neves shot not too far over from the edge of the box.

The Blues had successfully frustrated the home side for most of the first half but as against Aston Villa and Middlesbrough they conceded a few minutes before the break.

Five minutes were remaining when Kenlock was out-muscled by Jota on halfway, a foul according to the Town players, who may have had a case.

The Portuguese U23 international broke down the right flank and crossed. Town probably ought to have been able to deal with the ball before it fell to Cavaleiro, who cut inside and curled a shot to the static Bialkowski’s left and into the net from the edge of the box.

The goal was the last significant of a half, which ultimately had been a replay of the opening periods at Boro and Villa Park.

Town had looked comfortable for the most part despite Wolves having most of the ball, while rarely threatening at the other end, but again conceded in the minutes before half-time.

If the Blues are going to get anything out of the game in the second half they’ve got to avoid continuing the pattern of the Boro and Villa games by allowing Wolves another goal early in the second half.

Wolves: Ruddy, Bennett, Coady (c), Boly, Doherty, Saiss, Neves, Douglas, Cavaleiro, Bonatini, Jota. Subs: N'Diaye, Batth, Costa, Gibbs-White, Enobakhare, Vinagre, Norris

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Webster, Kenlock, Connolly, Bru, Ward, Celina, Waghorn, Garner. Subs: M Crowe, T Smith, Bishop, McGoldrick, McDonnell, Webber, Sears. Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire).

Photo: TWTD

jas0999 added 16:08 - Dec 23 Disappointing to conceed late in the half again. Will need to be a bit more adventurous to get back into this one. Still loads of time.
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Swn98 added 17:13 - Dec 23 No disgrace against Wolves let's kick on get to Portman Rd Boxing day. FANS GET BEHIND THE BLUES.
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