Hoilett wondergoal lifts Cardiff out of bottom three

Cardiff temporarily moved out of the bottom three as goals from Aron Gunnarsson and Junior Hoilett gave the ‘Bluebirds’ their third win of the season as the two newly-promoted sides met in the top flight for the first time since 1962.

The game was always set to be lively with there having not been a draw in the last 10 games between the pair. With Cardiff in desperate need of three points and Wolves intent on ending their poor run of form, the cameras captured a tightly contested and exciting game in North Wales.

Nuno’s men made the better start and deservedly took the lead within the opening 20 minutes. Neil Etheridge did brilliant to acrobatically get down to his right and parry a header away, however he could only gift it in to Matt Doherty’s path. The Wolves full-back, who was making his 200th appearance for the club, still had to stay composed as he fired the ball in to the roof of the net.

The hosts recovered from the early setback and had a string of half chances. Harry Arter came the close for Cardiff as his thunderous effort cannoned off the top left hand corner of Patricio’s goal. The Bournemouth loanee was first to a second ball from a corner as he fired his effort at the Wolves goal with perfect technique. Patricio was beaten on all ends, with the crossbar and post coming to the Portuguese’s relief.

Neil Warnock, who was celebrating his 70th birthday, must have had some stern words at half time as his side looked revitalised in the second half. They started brightly and were rewarded for their efforts after 64 minutes. Harry Arter won his side a corner ball, speculatively driving the ball at the Wolves goal from distance. His effort brushed the shorts of Coady in the Wolves defence and out for a corner.

The resulting corner was headed away by Wolves, however the header was poorly executed as the ball looped in the air. Callum Paterson managed to legally get his body between the Wolves goalkeeper, Rui Patricio, and the ball, leaving the Portuguese number one in no man’s land. The second ball then fell to Aron Gunnarsson, who gratefully smashed the ball home from three yards out. A mistake from the usually reliable Patricio as he was easily outmuscled in his own six-yard box.

Wolves defeated Cardiff 9-1 back in September 1955, a result that remains the Welsh side's heaviest home league defeat and Wolves' biggest away league win. Neil Warnock’s team went a small way in gaining revenge for that by completing an impressive second half comeback.  

Junior Hoilett scored his first goal in the Premier League for six years as his wondergoal proved to be the difference between the two newly-promoted sides. The Canadian picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and bent home a wonderful effort into the top corner. His effort scraped the underside of the bar as it nestled into the Wolves net, a brilliant strike to win an exciting game.

Friday’s defeat means more concern for Wolves as they have now lost 5 out of their last 6 games, however Cardiff temporarily move out of the bottom three before Saturday’s fixtures.