Wolves 1, Cardiff City 2
Cardiff City cut big-spending Wolves down to size on another astonishing afternoon for manager Neil Warnock’s men.
The Bluebirds went into the match top of the Championship, just ahead of Wolves on goal difference, and more than 1,500 fans followed their team from South Wales to Molineux.
Cardiff have won their first four league matches, scoring eight goals and conceding one. That is the best start to a season in the club’s 100-year history.
This was a huge victory for the Bluebirds, going toe-to-toe with Wolves and coming out on top.
Joe Ralls and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, with his fifth goal in four matches, scored for Cardiff and they were good value for victory.
There were pre-match rumours that Premier League Brighton had made a £10m plus player offer for centre-forward Kenneth Zohore, but that was firmly refuted before kick-off at Wolves.
City have not had a transfer bid from Brighton or Hull City, who have also been linked with the big man, and the Danish under-23 international is staying in Warnock’s squad.
Warnock’s warriors were outstanding with Ralls, Aron Gunnarsson and Loic Damour commanding their central midfield area, while,e Mendez-Laing terrorised Wolves defenders.
Damour’s willingness to track back and contest possession in all areas gave his midfield partners the chance to get forward and attack.
It was a frantic, fiercely contested match in which Cardiff had Ralls, Damour, Junior Hoilett and Lee Peltier booked.
Cardiff had the better of the first half, while Wolves hit back and threw everything at their visitors in the closing stages.
The Bluebirds went ahead after 54 minutes when Hoilett set up a chance for Ralls, who fired left-footed into the bottom right-hand corner from the middle of the penalty area.
Wolves equalised with 67 minutes gone with Leo Bonatini on target with a low shot.
The winner was netted by former Wolves player Mendez-Laing, who is proving a bargain buy from Rochdale. Zohore created the chance and Mendez-Laing shot into the bottom corner.
Cardiff included new signing Omar Bogle among their substitutes, but he wasn’t needed on a day when the Bluebirds fought and scrapped for their reward.
Wolves were outbattled by their visitors with Zohore and Mendez-Laing giving defenders a terrible time with their strength and pace.
Cardiff players are enjoying their football and it’s showing through the sheer zest and enthusiasm in their football. The Warnock factor is lifting his team to new heights.
Warnock made two changes to his starting line-up with Peltier and Damour selected in place of Bruno Manga and Lee Tomlin.
The next test for Cardiff is against Burton Albion at home in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, while they entertain Queens Park Rangers next Saturday.
Wolves: Ruddy, Goncalves Miranda, Coady, Boly, Doherty, da Silva Neves, Saiss (Ronan 83), Douglas (Dicko 78), Enobakhare (Cavaleiro 58), Bonatini Lohner Maia, Teixeira da Silva. Subs not used: Bennett, Batth, Price, Norris.
Cardiff City: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison, Bamba, Richards, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Mendez-Laing, Damour (Manga 90), Hoilett (D Ward 83), Zohore. Subs not used: Tomlin, Halford, Kennedy, Murphy, Bogle.
Referee: Scott Duncan.
