In soggy conditions, the Irishman netted the only goal, exchanging passes with Raul Jimenez and firing in at Wayne Hennessey’s near post.
After two assists already this campaign, Doherty was keen to get in on the act himself, but it was the significance of the strike which mattered most to the Irishman.
“It’s not sunk in yet, I’ll have to watch it back, but it won the game for us so feels good,” he admitted. “The most important thing is the win but to contribute with a goal and clean sheet makes it the perfect day really.
“It was a good team goal. Ruben switched it out to me and I know Raul has enough vision to put the ball back in, he put it in front of me so I didn’t have to break stride, and fortunately it went in the net because I’ve missed a few this season.”
Although not at their free-flowing best, Wolves were typically resolute at the back and put everything on the line in the bid to keep a clean sheet, which was rewarded when Doherty turned one point into three.
“There were some last-ditch tackles and clearances off the line where you’re waiting for the net to bulge. We had an over my dead body kind of attitude at the back because if you don’t concede you’ll win most of your games.
“We know with the chances we create we’ll probably score at least one goal, we’ve given up chances in previous games but got in there last minute – that’s the quality of our defenders.
“We were nowhere near it really in the first half, but you’ve got to try to weather the storm, not let them get ahead of us and we’re a pretty good side when we go 1-0 up.”
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are now unbeaten in six Premier League matches and have conceded just two goals in that time, which Doherty believes displays the hard work going on at the training ground.
“We speak to the opposition after games and they always say how hard it is to penetrate us. We work on it every day in training and the more we do it, the better we get and the harder it is for teams to score.
“We backed ourselves at the start of the season to have a good year. We’ve only lost once and played against some good teams. It’s been an unbelievable start, 15 points now going into the break, and we’re flying at the moment,” he said.
