Sako strike sinks Wednesday

Bakary Sako's free-kick continued Wolves' fine form in the Championship and extended Sheffield Wednesday's woes as the hosts won 1-0.

Last Updated: 29/09/12 at 17:14

Sako: Contentious winner

Sako: Contentious winner

The Frenchman's winner came in contentious circumstances just before the break, having found the net at the second attempt after being booked for taking an initial wayward effort before the referee's whistle.

Wolves were just about worthy of the three points from what was an ordinary encounter in the Black Country, with the second half turning into a non-event.

Nevertheless, it was a fourth successive league victory for Wanderers for the first time since November 2008 and extended the club's unbeaten home record - with a third win equalling the amount they managed on home soil throughout the whole of last season in the Premier League.

In stark contrast Wednesday, who offered little in attack, fell to a sixth straight defeat since seeing their 19-match unbeaten run come to an end.

Both sides fielded much-changed line-ups in their midweek Capital One Cup encounters against top-flight opposition, and only a total of four players remained at Molineux from the combined 22 who started.

Kevin Doyle was one of those who came back in for Wanderers and he fired a superb shot narrowly over the crossbar from distance after seven minutes.

Michail Antonio was lively early on for the Owls and his great cross was met by Chris O'Grady, but the striker could only direct his header straight at goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.

A lull in proceedings was broken by a thunderous 30-yard effort from Sako which appeared to bring a fine fingertip save from Chris Kirkland, only for referee Simon Hooper to judge otherwise.

That encouraged the hosts and Doyle was narrowly off target with a left-footed effort from outside the area just minutes later before Sako again went close from a similar position.

And it was the summer signing from St Etienne who broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute.

The Frenchman, with a free-kick on the edge of the area, tried to get away with a cheeky chipped effort before being given clearance by the referee's whistle and, having seen the ball drift wide, received a yellow card for his misdemeanour.

But he was handed a second bite of the cherry and from the retaken set-piece fired straight under the wall and into the bottom corner.

The second half started at walking pace and continued in very much the same fashion.

There was very little to trouble either goalkeeper as Wolves, without seriously threatening a second, looked comfortable with their one-goal advantage.

Kirkland and, more crucially, opposite number Ikeme were largely spectators without an attacking threat from either side.

And with the expected late push from the Owls failing to really materialise, aside from a brief surge in injury time, it was Wolves who claimed three routine points at the final whistle.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Monday, 13 May 2013
19:45
Brighton 0-2 C Palace Report
Sunday, 12 May 2013
12:30
Watford 3-1 Leicester Report
Friday, 10 May 2013
19:45
C Palace 0-0 Brighton Report
Thursday, 09 May 2013
Leicester 1-0 Watford Report
Saturday, 04 May 2013
12:45
Birmingham 1-1 Blackburn Report
Bolton 2-2 Blackpool Report
Brighton 2-0 Wolves Report
Burnley 2-0 Ipswich Report
Charlton 4-1 Bristol C Report
C Palace 3-2 Peterboro Report

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

Footer 365

Toon not keen on Carroll

Newcastle will not pursue their interest in re-signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll this summer.

Claudio Reyna handed a role at the MLS franchise New York City FC

Former USA skipper Claudio Reyna has been appointed director of football at New York City FC.

Champions League: Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze misses final

Borussia Dortmund have been dealt a serious blow with the news Mario Gotze is out of the Champions League final.

Mail Box

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

A Night In The Pub With Aston Villa...

Villa are the latest team to get the pub treatment, while the morning mailbox also includes missives on Tony Pulis leaving Stoke and Chelsea's future under Jose Mourinho...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved