Crystal Palace 0 Wolves 1 - analysis

On a night when brave hearts were needed in the freezing, storm-lashed surrounds of this uncompromising corner of south London, Mick McCarthy's side dug deep to stand tall.

Finally, a win, a clean sheet and a damn good display all combined to dispel the growing disenchantment that was threatening to strangle the life out of this exhausting promotion push.

Not even an anti-officials rant from Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock that was as predictable as it was tiresome – it also included an inference that Michael Kightly cheated to win the match-turning penalty – could take the gloss off this Wolves win.

This was indeed a performance from which promotions are won, one of their most solid showings of the season.

And if, during the course of the 10 remaining games, they clinch their passage to the Premier League, they will remember evenings like last night as cornerstones on which the success was built.

The players knew it too. Their hugs and clenched-fists salutes in front of the 1,421 Wolves fans afterwards told you they sensed the significance of their sweat-soaked deeds which took them five points clear for 24 hours at least before Birmingham host Bristol City tonight.

McCarthy watched the celebrations impassively from a distance, but his post-match comments of relief, pride and pleasure at the performance conveyed his satisfaction at the much-improved showing.

His verdict contrasted starkly against the unflattering "hopeless and dreadful" description of the nervy display three days earlier, but he was as honest as he was right. He too should take credit, for his game-plan was spot-on.

The Molineux chief boldly vowed to attack knowing anything less than victory could heap more criticism from a demanding and increasingly sceptical fan base.

Knowing he needed a physical presence to help hold the ball up in near galeforce swirling winds and rain, McCarthy brought back Chris Iwelumo for Andy Keogh.

And it worked a treat as Wolves mixed and matched successfully a more direct approach with their normal "get it wide, swing it in" routine.

Wolves have found it difficult since the turn of the year to sustain the trailblazing first four months of the season that took them clear of the pack.

So much so that the players have been bewildered at how form and luck could vanish so easily and quickly at times.

That was why it was so heartening to see many of the qualities that propelled them clear all those months ago return at Selhurst Park.

They have threatened to "run riot" during this slump, the first half against Cardiff being a prime example and also the first hour in the rain and gales at Bristol City, and they had to battle through similar torrential conditions last night.

But unlike Ashton Gate, where they surrendered a 2-0 lead to see three points turn to one, Wolves were "at it" for the entire 95 minutes.

Against an admittedly lacklustre Crystal Palace side treading water in mid-table, there was to be no late giveaways this time.

Once Sylvan Ebanks-Blake bravely and admirably put his recent penalty miss at Coventry behind him to net his 22nd goal of the season with an uncharacteristic sidefooted finish tucked inside Julian Speroni's left hand post from the spot, they were in no mood to relinquish their grip on proceedings.

Both before and after the 74th minute clincher, when they weren't forcing Palace back with any number of high-speed, high tempo breaks garnered by chief conductor Michael Kightly, they were defending solidly, led by a towering performance at the back from Jody Craddock.

Dominant

Wolves, apart from the first half of the second period when keeper Wayne Hennessey twice came to the rescue to deny Paul Ifill from long range – including one tipped against the post – were otherwise the dominant force in the game.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the performance was its controlled, assured manner.

Gone was the edginess that gripped them on Saturday to be replaced by a confidence that sustained them throughout.

And all this without the regular left-hand side of their team.

Wolves were denied the combined talents of Stephen Ward and Matt Jarvis for the first time in the Championship since Ward took over the left-back duties on August 30.

But in Matt Hill and George Friend, Wolves had a combination that looked every bit as solid a unit.

The impressive Friend should really have had a couple of goals, just failing to connect with one of the numerous crosses provided by Kightly five minutes before the break and then after being set up by Ebanks-Blake 11 minutes from time.

Two minutes before the end of normal time, the 20-year-old – making only his second Championship start since his move from Exeter – missed again, this time from substitute Andy Keogh's low centre.

But those half chances were part and parcel of a much improved showing from McCarthy's men.

After a low key start, matchwinner Ebanks-Blake gave notice of the visitors' intentions with a first-time low drive that Speroni smothered between his outstretched legs.

Kightly then burst into life, seeing a cross desperately hacked clear off the line in front of the lurking Iwelumo, before the winger's curling left-footed effort was deflected away.

Wolves had the first of two more decent penalty shouts for the second game in a row when Jose Fonte pushed Dave Edwards as he attempted to retrieve the ball running away from goal, followed almost immediately by Christophe Berra being hauled to the ground, all within five first half minutes.

Palace did little to show they could pose a threat and indeed their only chance of the first half came when Craddock sliced a Sean Scannell cross against his own post after Hill had given the winger too much room.

Fast forward to the end of the game and it was Wolves who looked the more likely scorers as the lively Keogh dispossessed Nathaniel Clyne to force a one-on-one save.

This was much more like the Wolves that thrilled the senses earlier this season.

Now, as Ebanks-Blake said afterwards, they must repeat it for 10 more games.

Based on this performance, it certainly looks like they can.

By Tim Nash.