Super-sub produces stunning late show to send Wolves second in Championship
What drama! Wolves came from behind away from home, again, to go five games unbeaten!!
Teenage loan star Sean Neave came off the bench to fire Wolves into the Championship’s automatic promotion places with a dramatic late double at Bristol City.
The Newcastle United loanee struck twice from close range in the closing stages to complete a stunning comeback and send Wolves second in the table, a point behind leaders Middlesbrough.
It was reminiscent of their previous away outing, when Wolves came from behind to win at Burnley. The victory also extended their unbeaten run to five games, with Neave announcing himself on the Championship stage with his first two goals in the competition.
For 80 minutes, it looked as though Cesar Peixoto’s side had blown a huge opportunity to climb into the top two and put pressure on Middlesbrough. But they produced a remarkable late turnaround.
As it happened
Wolves suffered another injury setback before kick-off, with midfielder Jordan James ruled out by a hamstring injury. He is also expected to miss Saturday’s trip to Wrexham.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde replaced the Wales international in the starting XI, with Peixoto making just one change from the weekend’s win over Cardiff City.
Wolves made a bright start, with Rafiki Said looking lively on the left and testing the Bristol City defence. Adam Armstrong, making his 500th senior club appearance, also forced Bradley Collins into an early save.
But Wolves failed to make their early pressure count and were made to pay just after the half-hour mark.
Lorent Tolaj came close with Bristol City’s first real opportunity, finding space at the back post as the hosts began to build momentum.
The Robins then took the lead when free-kick specialist Scott Twine capitalised on a clumsy challenge from Bellegarde just outside the penalty area.
The midfielder’s right-footed effort dipped perfectly over the wall and into the bottom-left corner, beyond the reach of Jose Sa, leaving Wolves with work to do.
Peixoto’s side had shown they could come from behind in their previous away outing at Burnley, but needed a response after the break.
Wolves started the second half with purpose but struggled to find a way through as Bristol City looked to protect their lead.
Armstrong came closest shortly before the hour mark when he raced in behind onto a pass from Ladislav Krejci. However, he failed to make the most of the opportunity, firing straight at Collins.
But Wolves finally found a breakthrough with 10 minutes remaining. Armstrong saw another effort fall kindly into the path of substitute Neave, who made no mistake from close range to bring the visitors level.
And there was even better to come for the teenage striker.
Wolves snatched victory in the dying moments with a well-worked free-kick routine. Trippier delivered a cross into the box, Krejci nodded it into Neave’s path and the Newcastle loanee fired home to complete his brace.
The away end erupted, with Wolves supporters serenading their new hero: “Sean Neave again, ole, ole!”