Crystal Palace 0-1 Wolves

Ebanks-Blake's strike 16 minutes from time earned Wolves victory

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's late spot-kick saw Wolves to a narrow win over Crystal Palace that extends their lead at the top of the Championship to five points.

Michael Kightly had a shot cleared off the line and Palace keeper Julian Speroni denied Chris Iwelumo as the visitors dominated the early exchanges.

With just one win in 11, though, Wolves' nerves began to show and Wayne Hennessey twice saved from Phil Ifil.

But, on 74 minutes, Ebanks-Blake fired in after Clint Hill had fouled Kightly.

Palace boss Neil Warnock:
"We're not having any luck are we?

"The penalty is never a penalty. The ref says he didn't give it, that it was a tangle.

"There is no way a linesman 45 yards away can say that's a trip."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"It's always about results. When you've gone as long as us with only one win and then you come to Palace on a wet and windy Tuesday night it's always about winning.

"And we could have won by more. I can't deny there's a sense of relief."

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Lawrence, Jose Fonte, Hill, Derry, Danns, Hills (Oster 67), Scannell (Stokes 61), Ifill, Lee (Scowcroft 77).
Subs Not Used: Ertl, Rui Fonte.

Booked: Scannell, Lawrence.

Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Foley, Craddock, Berra, Hill, Kightly (Stearman 90), Henry, Edwards, Friend, Iwelumo (Vokes 89), Ebanks-Blake (Keogh 84).
Subs Not Used: Darren Ward, Reid.

Booked: Berra, Craddock, Hill, Henry.

Goals: Ebanks-Blake 74 pen.

Att: 14,907

Ref: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire).