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Wolves bite too sharp for United
Posted Sat, 17 Jan 2004

Bottom of the table Wolves pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season when they defeated Premiership leaders and champions Manchester United 1-0 at Molineux on Saturday.

Kenny Miller's second-half goal, the Scotland international's first in the Premiership, was good enough to give Dave Jones's strugglers all three points in front of an elated home crowd.

It was a disappointing final appearance for United's England defender Rio Ferdinand before he starts his eight-month suspension for failing to take a drugs test as he limped off in the 50th minute.

Wolves's victory was also down to keeper Michael Oakes who produced a series of fine saves to deny Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

The result left United a point ahead of Arsenal, who play on Sunday, while victory saw Wolves leapfrog second-from-bottom Leeds as they rose to 18 points — 16 of which have come at home.

Afterwards Miller told Sky Sports: "We put in a great shift. It was hard work by the whole team. We deserved it. We were under pressure but the lads defended well. It was a hard, hard game against an unbelievable team. But we set our stall out and it paid off.

"It was a great time to get off the mark in the Premiership but it was a team effort. I was there to put the ball in."

Jones said the result showed what his team could do if things went their way.

"We've been playing some good football and not turned draws into wins but our luck turned round today.

"We keep believing and that's what it's all about," said Jones.

"One thing the lads have kept here is camaraderie and spirit. It helps you as coach because they are willing to work."

Meanwhile Ferguson was not too downcast by this shock defeat.

"I thought we controlled the match in the first half particularly and played some excellent football. We were wasteful with our chances after creating some really good positions and did not really finish them off," the Scot added.

"Once Wolves did score they were difficult to peg back.

"You expect that: they are fighting for their life and want to stay in the Premier division. They have languished for a few years and have the appetite to stay in the Premiership."

However, looking ahead, Ferguson also said: "We've always reacted well to disappointing defeats in the past."

United had a chance early in the second half when former Old Trafford favourite Denis Irwin's weak back-header surprised Oakes and almost let in Ruud van Nistelrooy.

But in the 49th minute Wolves almost took the lead when former United midfielder Paul Ince beat Tim Howard only for the Wolves captain's curling shot to rebound off the keeper's right post.

Wolves though, by playing on the counter-attack, were having to absorb wave after wave of United attacks.

And in the 57th minute United almost took the lead when van Nistelrooy played in Paul Scholes but the England midfielder's shot was well-parried by Oakes.

However, ten minutes later the hosts took the lead. Irwin intercepted a weak United throw and released Miller. He sped into the box, his route to goal eased when substitute defender Wes Brown slipped, before calmly shooting past Howard.

Oakes then preserved Wolves's lead with a fine block to keep out United substitute David Bellion's shot from six yards out in the 75th minute.

In the final minute of normal time Oakes again denied United an equaliser when he pushed away Van Nistelrooy's edge of the box shot.

Despite the gulf in their league positions Wolves went into half-time level with United after an opening 45 minutes of few clear chances.

United did come close shortly before the break when Cristiano Ronaldo's shot was deflected wide and van Nistelrooy nodded over from close range following the resulting corner.

Ince and Alex Rae both shot wide for Wolves from close range with Howard saving easily from Mark Kennedy.

Ferguson's men did have two penalty appeals turned down by referee Andy D'Urso.

They looked to have a case on the half hour mark when Oakes failed to hold a Ronaldo cross and in the act of trying to regather brought down Darren Fletcher.

But they had less of a case when Irwin challenged Mikael Silvestre in mid-air as the pair contested a cross.

AFP

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