Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Blackpool 0.
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers2BlackpoolBlackpool0
Late goals from Dave Edwards and Benik Afobe ensured Wolves could celebrate the life of the club's former owner Sir Jack Hayward with a win over Blackpool.
Edwards broke the deadlock in the 86th minute, bundling home Rajiv van La Parra's right-wing cross.
And debutant Afobe sealed the victory on 90 minutes, walking the ball into the net following a defensive mix-up.
There were tributes to Sir Jack, who died this week, as his name was spelt out in the stands before kick-off.
The emotion of the occasion at Molineux initially seemed to get the better of the Wolves players, who only really hit their stride in the final third of the match.
Blackpool, bottom of the Championship and without an away win this season, had looked like they would hold on for a priceless point before the home side's late show.
| Resurgent Wolves | |
|---|---|
| After losing five games in a row between November and December, Kenny Jackett's men are unbeaten in six in the league, winning five. | |
It took 30 minutes for the game to come to life and when it did it was Blackpool who initially threatened, with Andrea Orlandi and Steven Davies being denied by home goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.
But Wolves should really have taken the lead before half-time, when Edwards was presented with a gilt-edged chance.
The Wales international was released by a through ball from Nouha Dicko but pulled a low and weak shot wide of the far post after Tangerines keeper Joe Lewis narrowed the angle.
After the break Wolves introduced Afobe, who joined from Arsenal this week, from the bench to try and pep up their attack and Lewis then denied Van La Parra at his near post.
That sparked a spell of intense Wolves pressure and Blackpool finally cracked when Edwards struck late on.
The win was assured after Lewis and Blackpool substitute Darren O'Dea got into a terrible muddle trying to cut out a pass from Kevin McDonald and Afobe scored his 20th goal of the season, having struck 19 times during a loan spell at MK Dons earlier this season.
Promotion chasing Wolves, who have now won five of their last six league games, remain one point off the play-off places while Blackpool are nine points from safety.
Wolves manager Kenny Jackett: "It was a great tribute before the game and it was a bumper crowd to remember and celebrate a fantastic life of someone who has made a big contribution to both the area and the club.
"As a head coach I am delighted we followed through with a good result and had a very, very buoyant stadium at the end.
"With the considerable possession we had, particularly in the first half, we didn't do enough with it and we didn't have a shot on target in the first period and that is poor.
"Dave Edwards got a key goal for us as the first goal in any game is important, particularly in the Championship. I was wondering where it was going to come from as it didn't look like we were creating clear-cut chances."
Blackpool manager Lee Clark: "We didn't do enough in possession of the ball in the second half. We didn't carry any threat. We never worked the goalkeeper enough.
"When you do that and there is constantly pressure on your back four, it is inevitable because with six minutes injury time you are going 51 minutes trying to play that way and it is difficult.
"I think we could have relieved the pressure by being more adventurous with the ball, being better with the ball, creating more problems in an attacking sense than we did.
"Now we have to dust ourselves down, get ready and get working towards or next game against Watford and go again."
Line-ups
Wolves
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ikeme
- 33Iorfa
- 6Batth
- 5Stearman
- 30HauseSubstituted forDohertyat 77'minutes
- 11McDonald
- 19Price
- 7HenrySubstituted forAfobeat 57'minutes
- 4Edwards
- 17van La Parra
- 40DickoSubstituted forEbanks-Landellat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Doherty
- 9Clarke
- 12Afobe
- 14Evans
- 23Ebanks-Landell
- 27Jacobs
- 29Kuszczak
Blackpool
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Lewis
- 29McMahon
- 6Clarke
- 32HallSubstituted forO'Deaat 72'minutes
- 18Dunne
- 20OliverSubstituted forHenshallat 68'minutes
- 31O'HaraBooked at 59mins
- 4Perkins
- 11Orlandi
- 14Delfouneso
- 9DaviesSubstituted forFeruzat 82'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Mellis
- 21Parish
- 30Sene
- 37Nosworthy
- 38Henshall
- 41Feruz
- 48O'Dea
- Referee:
- Kevin Johnson
- Attendance:
- 28,132
Match Stats
Home TeamWolvesAway TeamBlackpool
- Possession
- Home63%
- Away37%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Blackpool 0.
Goal!
Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Blackpool 0. Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin McDonald.
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ethan Ebanks-Landell replaces Nouha Dicko.
Post update
Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Darren O'Dea (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Blackpool 0. Dave Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Rajiv van La Parra.
Post update
Foul by Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Darren O'Dea (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Blackpool. Islam Feruz replaces Steve Davies.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Price.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jack Price (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kevin McDonald.
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Matt Doherty replaces Kortney Hause.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin McDonald with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Joe Lewis.
Post update
Attempt saved. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin McDonald with a through ball.
Substitution
Substitution, Blackpool. Darren O'Dea replaces Grant Hall.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Grant Hall (Blackpool) because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Blackpool. Alex Henshall replaces Connor Oliver.
