Wolves came from behind to grind out three crucial points on the road and kick-off the Christmas period on a positive note. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side produced a far from vintage display, but their character came to the fore as Romain Saiss and Raul Jimenez turned around the deficit at Carrow Road.
Norwich City had deservedly led through Todd Cantwell’s first-half strike, but Rui Patricio was in inspired form between the sticks to ensure their lead was a single goal. The goalkeeper was then rewarded as Saiss headed home and Jimenez fired into the top corner with nine minutes remaining.
It was the hosts who’d started on the front foot and Wolves were grateful for the fingertips of Patricio, which came to the rescue to keep out Kenny McLean’s effort, before Teemu Pukki forced a routine save out of the Portuguese moments later.
However, there was nothing the goalkeeper could do once the Canaries turned dominance into the opening goal. McLean did the leg work, bolting down the left and producing a cross Jonny couldn’t properly clear, with his attempt falling nicely for Cantwell to thump home.
In truth, it was a first-half Wolves will not want to remember. The main positive at the break was that the home side’s lead was a single goal, particularly after Saiss gifted them possession and Pukki raced clean through, but shot straight at Patricio, who saved his team again.
Half-time: Norwich 1 Wolves 0
The tide didn’t instantly turn after the break either, with Norwich searching for a second goal and they came close when Max Aarons let fly from range and didn’t miss the top corner by much, but then, out of nowhere, the equaliser arrived.
Moutinho’s corner was taken short to Jonny, who returned the ball to the Portuguese, who then had a nice angle to whip in a cross for an unmarked Saiss and he simply planted his header beyond Tim Krul.
It was almost the complete turnaround soon after as well, as Jimenez robbed Grant Hanley of possession, but couldn’t find the require level of precision and scooped over Krul’s bar. As the contest progressed, Wolves continued to grow into it and Ruben Neves volleyed a crisp effort wide before Pedro Neto took to the pitch.
While Jimenez had wasted his earlier chance, he was clinical with the next opportunity which fell his way. Neto’s impact was instant, as he scurried down the left and squared for Doherty, whose clever touch was kept out by the feet of Krul, but Jimenez was on hand to dispatch the loose ball.
The second goal shook City and Wolves had opportunities to increase their lead on the break but failed to find the crucial pass or finish. It mattered not however, and Wolves returned home with three big points.
Full-time: Norwich 1 Wolves 2
Norwich: Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Hanley, Byram, Tettey (Vrancic 86), Trybull (Hernandez 86), Cantwell (Srbeny 86), McLean, Buendia, Pukki.
Unused subs: Fahrmann, Lewis, Stiepermann, Amadou.
Wolves: Patricio, Doherty, Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Traore, Jota (Neto 77), Jimenez (Cutrone 90).
Unused subs: Ruddy, Bennett, Vallejo, Kilman, Vinagre.
