FA Cup Battle: Wolves GET THE JOB DONE 2-1 Victory Over Bristol City

Team: Johnstone, Agbadou, Bueno, Doherty, Ait-Nouri, J Gomes, Andre, R Gomes, Hwang, Strand Larsen, Guedes

FIRST HALF:

Agbadou came into the side for his debut after his signing this week. This match could have been a tricky one for Wolves, but they started brightly and matched Bristol City for work rate. It didn’t take long for Wolves to create chances with fast, slick passing. Rodrigo Gomes linked well with Guedes and Larsen, but it was just the final pass letting them down.

In the 9th minute, Wolves got a corner that Bristol failed to clear. Joao Gomes picked up the ball just outside the box and played a splitting pass that evaded everyone but Ait-Nouri, who popped up at the far post and stooped to head home at waist level into the corner.

Bristol City tried to hit back, but Wolves defended well and were quick on the counter-attack. In the 21st minute, Wolves struck again with a slick attack. Strand Larsen picked up the ball in halfway. He charged forward before slipping the ball to Guedes just outside the corner of the box. Guedes carried it forward and played it inside to the marauding Rodrigo Gomes, who carefully slotted it home, making it 2-0.
Wolves could have scored more but for the failed final pass again.

As half-time approached with Wolves coasting, Bristol City came forward in the 46th minute. Hwang, who had been inconspicuous in the first 45 minutes, was adjudged to have fouled Knight. Despite Johnstone’s meticulous wall, Twine curled the ball into the corner, making it 2-1 at half-time.

Second Half:

Wolves could have gone 3-1 up in the first few minutes, but Hwang skied his chance over the bar from the centre of the goal. The second half saw chances at both ends, but none went in. Hwang missed another glorious chance, Rodrigo robbed the defence and was unlucky when his shot came back off the post. Guedes had a shot saved, but Wolves couldn’t get the killer goal.

Vitor Pereira tried to boost Wolves by replacing Guedes and Hwang with Bellegarde and Sarabia in the 75th minute. Another quick break saw Sarabia charge forward with the ball and unleash a shot from 25 yards, beating the goalkeeper but hitting the post again.

Wolves rode their luck when Doherty was harshly adjudged to have handled a cross blasted at him; I thought it hit his stomach. From the free kick, Twine sent the ball to the back post. Ait-Nouri was almost pushed over, and the ball cannoned back off the bar. An escape, but justified, I thought.
Alfie Pond came on in the 94th minute, but Wolves held out.

Good accomplished debut by Agbadou: strong in the tackle, good distribution, and calm on the ball.

Good performances by Bueno, Andre, and Joao Gomes, but my man of the match was Rodrigo Gomes.

Wolves are into the next round. Let’s hope for a Molineux tie.