Crystal Palace 0

Wolves 2 (Gray 76, Kyle 89)

Two excellent strikes in the final 15 minutes gave Wolves victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and helped banish the FA Cup blues from the previous weekend.

Mick McCarthy made wholesale change to the team that had lost to Cardiff. Seyi Olofinjana and the two Kevins, Foley and Kyle, were relegated to the bench whilst there was no place for Jay Bothroyd or Andy Keogh.

Into the side came Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, David Edwards and George Elokobi - all cup tied at Ninian Park, along with Stephen Elliott and the fit again Neill Collins as the manager opted for a 4-5-1 formation.

The first chance of the game fell to Tom Soares who headed narrowly wide after connecting with Lee Hills' long throw in.

Elliott posed Wolves' first threat with a snapshot from 25-yards that was touched over the bar by Palace keeper Julian Speroni.

From the corner conceded, taken by Darren Potter, Jody Craddock headed just wide of the far post.

Wayne Hennessey dived to collect an angled drive from Shefki Kuqi before a Michael Gray free-kick was cleared after Clint Hill had fouled Elliott to the right of the home area.

Craddock blocked and then cleared a shot from Ben Watson before Hennessey had to punch behind a Watson corner for a second that was cleared upfield to Elokobi who outstripped his marker before delivering a cross that was headed behind for an unproductive Wolves flag-kick.

On 42 minutes Kuqi went into the book for tripping Gray who took the resultant free-kick. Ebanks-Blake barged into Speroni as he collected the ball and he too went into the book.

Shortly before the break Hennessey saved a low shot from Shaun Derry.

Half-Time; Palace 0 Wolves 0

Inside the first minute of the new half Ebanks-Blake volleyed over after Edwards had laid a Gray centre into his path.

Craddock threw himself into the path of a Watson shot and Carl Fletcher followed up with a drive that flashed wide of Hennessey's right-hand post.

Just before the hour mark, Neil Warnock made two changes to his side with Clinton Morrison and Paul Ifill replacing Hills and Soares respectively.

As in the opening 45 minutes, chances at either end were few and far between with the only incidents of note coming when Fletcher was booked for pulling back Potter before Kuqi made a gesture towards the crowd as he was replaced by James Scowcroft in the 70th minute.

Then, out of the blue, Wanderers took the lead thanks to a tremendous strike from Gray - his first goal for the club.

Potter broke from the halfway line and tried a long-range shot that cannoned off Matt Lawrence into the path of Gray. With everyone expecting a cross from the right hand corner of the box, he hit an unstoppable effort into the far corner of the net.

With ten minutes remaining Kyle was sent on in place of Ebanks-Blake shortly before Hennessey beat Morrison to Ifill's short cross.

Hennessey was clattered by Matt Lawrence as the pair vied for Watson's corner. The keeper was clearly dazed and had to leave the field to be replaced by Graham Stack with two minutes of the 90 remaining. At the same time Foley came on for Ebanks-Blake.

Seconds later Kyle made sure the points were Molineux bound when he collected a long clearance from Collins and beat Speroni with a 25-yard half-volley that flew into the net.

In stoppage time Potter almost made it three with a shot that clipped the top of the bar after he had taken a return pass from Foley.

Just before the end of the six additional minutes, Stack made an athletic save to turn away a drive from Ifill.

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Hill, Hudson (capt), Fletcher, Watson, Soares (Ifill 58), Butterfield, Derry, Kuqi (Scowcroft 68), Hills (Morrison 58).

Unused subs: Fonte, Scannell.

Bookings: Kuqi (40 - foul), Fletcher (68 - foul).

Wolves: Hennessey (Stack 88), Collins, Elokobi, Henry, Craddock, Breen (capt), Potter, D. Edwards, Ebanks-Blake (Foley 88), Elliott (Kyle 81), Gray.

Unused subs: Olofinjana, Eastwood.

Booking: Ebanks-Blake (41 - foul).

Referee: K. Woolmer.

Attendance: 15,679 (1,300 away supporters).

What a result for us really didn't expect this would of been happy with a draw but 3 points is even better.

Mick McCarthy heaped praise on his goalscorers after Wolves' much needed two-nil victory over Crystal Palace.

The goals - both 25 yard stunners - came in the last 15 minutes of a game that lacked many chances.

The boss said: Michael Gray was outstanding and capped off an excellent all-round performance with a wonder goal.

"He switched sides with Stephen Elliott, cut in with his left foot and hit a screamer. It's great when they fly in like that.

"And I'm really thrilled for Kevin Kyle because there were a few boos about the place last week.


"It means so much to a player to come to a club, do well and be accepted.

"He's got ability and that volley shows it.

"It doesn't vindicate my decision to sign him (on loan from Coventry) for Wolves. I made that based on what he could bring to the club."

The win leaves Wolves five points off sixth spot but the boss refused to discuss the prospects for a play-off place. He added: "We just need to take look at each game individually and let's see where we are at the end of the season when it matters.

"Let's just focus on Colchester and trying to get three points there."

Wayne Hennessey was taken to hospital with suspected concussion. If confirmed he could be ruled out of next week's trip to Layer Road.

Fantastic result , never expected it , but to get a win there after loosing 3-0 at home to them was unexpected , but very welcome . Lets hope it the start of a good run . well done lads

i know what you meen anton. I looked on my phone and it was 0-0 and i said i'd be pleased if we could hold out for that but to win 2-0 is quality and they was 2 fantastic goals.

yes ive seen the goals and what good ones they were , very well taken , nice to see gray get on the scoresheet , lets hope he as more shots at goal and kyles was just as good , magic stuff , and with albion loosing too , was nice to smile for a change .

yes very pleased mate .

no mate , 20 years ago i would of walked there but its too much now and with 2 kids

Yeah i thought gray as done well for us since he's joined glad he got a goal as it sounds like he was awesome yesterday

blackburn..