Source: Daily_Mail
Wolves 3 Sunderland 2: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake snatches a precious late victory
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's late strike sealed a precious victory for Wolves against Sunderland in a dramatic encounter at Molineux. [LNB]Kevin Foley's goal five minutes intothe second half had put Wanderers 1-0 up before efforts from DarrenBent and Danny Welbeck put the visitors in the driving seat. [LNB]Stephen Hunt drew things level,though, and Ebanks-Blake netted at the death to hand Mick McCarthy'sside three much-needed points. [LNB] Precious points: Mick McCarthy[LNB]Although they remain in the Barclays Premier League relegation zone, 19th-placed Wolves cut the gap between themselves and safety to three points and will take confidence from halting their recent four-match losing run in satisfying style. [LNB]Going into the game off the back of four successive defeats, Wanderers had also developed the nasty habit in their last three games of conceding very early goals. [LNB]Late Blake show: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake gave Wolves three precious points[LNB]They made a more composed start against Sunderland, though, and were the side to launch the first few attacks. [LNB]Ronald Zubar had a cross cleared by Nedum Onuoha after playing a one-two with Foley and the ball skidded away from Matt Jarvis and David Jones as they tried to work something on the edge of the area. [LNB]Kevin Doyle then sent a delivery into the six-yard box which was put behind for a corner, but the visitors almost caught Wanderers out soon after as Jordan Henderson fed in Bent, the striker only able to shoot straight at Wayne Hennessey. [LNB]Boudewijn Zenden made a bettereffort with a drive that went wide, but Sunderland were fortunate notto score an own goal when John Mensah connected with Stephen Ward'scross. [LNB]Thehosts went close again moments later as Craig Gordon flapped at Jarvis'corner, but Richard Stearman was just unable to apply a finish with hishead at the far post. [LNB]Doyle rifled an attempt too high and Gordon tipped a looping ball from Ward over the bar under the attentions of Jones. [LNB]Wolvesthen had the ball in the net as Stearman stabbed George Elokobi's shotover the line, but the effort was ruled out for offside. [LNB]The Black Cats almost took the lead around the half hour mark as Kieran Richardson crashed a free-kick against Hennessey's post. [LNB] Wolves were immediately back on the offensive, though, and after good work down the right by Jones and Jarvis, Doyle could not stretch enough to meet the latter's cross. [LNB]Zenden found himself in the clear at the other end but failed to control the ball as it dropped for him and Jones headed over from Foley's cross. [LNB]Jarvis had the last opportunity of the half, striking into Gordon's arms, before Richardson became the second Sunderland player to be shown a yellow card for a foul on Doyle, following Lee Cattermole into the book.[LNB] Mackems mayhem: Darren Bent (centre) levelled for Sunderland[LNB] Wolves began the second half brightly and after Zubar had sent an attempt just the wrong side of the post, they snatched the lead in the 50th minute. [LNB]Foley drifted an early ball across to Jarvis, who cut inside and fired an effort at Gordon. [LNB]The Scotland goalkeeper could only parry the ball, and Foley was on hand to lash it into the corner.[LNB] [LNB]Hunting for points: Stephen Hunt netted Wolves' second[LNB]It was no more than Wanderers deserved on the balance of play, but they had to be alert to ensure they did not let in a swift equaliser, Elokobi blocking a shot from Bent after Henderson's free-kick had caused a scramble in the box. [LNB]Cattermole then drilled wide before Sunderland boss Steve Bruce introduced Asamoah Gyan from the bench along with Steed Malbranque, Zenden and Henderson the men to make way. [LNB]Doyle was presented with a decent chance when Zubar's deflected shot fell to him, but the Irishman's header was tame and Gordon collected. [LNB]Jarvis was next to try to extend his side's advantage, but blazed over from a good position. [LNB]The hosts were almost made to pay as a defensive lapse let in Welbeck, but the youngster fired wide. [LNB]Within moments of that warning,Sunderland were level as Bent latched onto Gyan's flick-on and coollyslotted the ball past Hennessey.[LNB]The hosts looked stung and almost quickly conceded another, Bent just firing wide. Hennesseythen palmed Malbranque's long-range effort away, but Sunderland hadreal momentum and with just under 15 minutes to go they went ahead,Welbeck heading in Philip Bardsley's cross for his fourth goal in threegames. [LNB] It seemed as if Wolves had capitulated completely, but to their credit, they pulled themselves back level within four minutes, Elokobi getting a powerful header to Jarvis' cross and Hunt, who had come on for Jones, bundling the ball in. [LNB]Suddenly the impetus was with the hosts again and with a minute of the 90 left on the clock, they found a winning goal. [LNB]It was another substitute, Ebanks-Blake, who provided it, the former Manchester United striker blasting in after being teed up by Doyle to send Wolves' fans into raptures.[LNB] Zenden is the daddy at Sunderland: Retirement? No chance, says BoloUnder-fire McCarthy stands firm at Wolves: We are all in dogfight togetherSUNDERLAND AFC
