Mixed feelings about this one really. Firstly I'm really quite frustrated, twice throwing away a lead and therefore losing 2 points is a bitter pill to swallow. On the other hand though we were quite lucky to get the draw, Wolves were well up for this one and as I predicted really did go all out for it.
The biggest plus we can take out of this is that both our starting strikers scored and in particular Defoe. Getting two great goals will do him the world of good, hopefully this will be enough to 'Spur' him on for the rest of the season!
The game didn't start in the best ways, the first 10 or 15 minutes were really quite boring if I'm honest. However the longer it went on the more it became apparent that we were probably going to concede and on 20 minutes the inevitable happened. It had to be Kevin Doyle as well, Ive slagged him off a bit this year so I guess he was always going to score! It has to be said that the defending was pretty poor, lack of concentration I'm afraid.
After this we seemed to wake up and the team pressed on really quite well, as I predicted Wolves were trying to use their strength to out-muscle us - in particular Elokobi who is HUGE! Pienaar done well on this side but never really had the confidence to have a go at the enormous defender.
Then on 30 we got our equaliser, Pav played the ball to who else but Defoe who spanked it into the top corner from outside the box, what a way to get your first of the season!
Five minutes later it was 2-1, Defoe picked up the ball just inside the Wolves half, ran all the way to the box, passed to Modric who had a scrappy pass/shot rebound back to Defoe who curled it into the top right one again! Lovely stuff!
Five minutes after this Hutton decided that we didn't deserve a lead and pulled back Milijas giving away a penalty. To be fair he was free on goal and probably would have scored, Hutton was lucky to stay on. The penalty was put away by Doyle. 2-2.
Thats how the half ended but very shortly after the restart it was 2-3. Jenas laid the ball off to Pav who put away a fantastic goal, deserved and I felt from here that we would go on and win, however we needed another goal.
The half dragged on and Wolves were really looking like the most likely to score, it looked like they had when Gomes fumbled a catch and the ball rolled through him into the net. Thankfully the ref eventually gave the foul and the goal was disallowed, after watching the replay this was probably the wrong decision. Defoe hit the post on the 84th however Unfortunately our resolve broke on the 87th minute when Fletcher put a header past Gomes. Awful marking by Dawson.
And that was that, Wolves will be much happier than us with that one but sometimes these things happen. As I said I take solace from the fact that Defoe got back on the score sheet, not only that but Bale made his return with a sub appearance on 69, he looked very very good and should have scored.
This gives me comfort for the rest of the season, we have a lot of other players on the way back so hopefully we'll have a full squad to choose from shortly which is only a good thing!
Bit of a pain though, especially with Chelsea beating Blackpool tonight. As I said previously its looking like a fight between ourselves and City for a place in the top four, we shall see though. We have The Spammers next in the league on the 19th - after another weekend off! This would have been a big game anyway but we need the 3 points!
Before that however there's the small matter of Milan...
Player ratings:
Gomes - 6.5 - Had one of his dodgy games, pulled off a couple of good saves but made a right hash with the 'goal that wasnt', didnt really look comfortable.
Hutton - 6 - Really poor game, gave away the penalty, lucky not to be sent off and was frequently beaten on the wing
Dawson - 7.5 - Mostly had a good game but was definitely at fault for Wolves third, marking should have been much better
Gallas - 7 - Like Dawson mostly had a good game but never really looked happy.
BAE - 7 - Not a great game really, defended well for the most part but still has a nasty habit of kicking the ball to the opposition.
Pienaar - 7.5 - Played well but looked a little out of his depth at times, still not convinced but did look lively.
Jenas - 7 - Usual Jenas performance except he assisted with Pavs goal
Sandro - 7.5 - Played really well, gave away a few silly fouls but looked good
Modric - 7 - Mostly had a quiet game but linked play well and involved with most of our attacks
Defoe - 8 - Workhorse in the first half, chased everything and didnt let a ball go. Scored 2 and should have had a hat-trick
Pav - 7.5 - Good game, great goal but was slightly missing for large parts
Subs
Bale - 7.5 - Looked very lively when he came on, the whole Wolves attack stopped for a while as they worried about the space left behind them! Glad to have him back!
Lennon - 7 - Looked good when he came on and his speed made a difference however he did fade a bit towards the end
Kranjcar - n/a - Not really on the pitch long enough to rate
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