League leaders sink ten man Leeds.
Sky Bet Championship
Wolves 4 (Douglas 15, Cavaleiro 26, Jota 72, Costa pen 76) Leeds United 1 (Alioski 48)
Leeds United head coach Thomas Christiansen suffered his biggest defeat in charge of the club, with the Whites defeated 4-1 by Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The Whites named an unchanged starting line-up from Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough, whilst Stuart Dallas made the bench after returning from injury.
Wolves had the first chance of the game inside six minutes, Ivan Cavaleiro did well down the right flank, before unleashing a powerful effort, forcing Andy Lonergan into action, whilst at the other end, Ezgjan Alioski teed up Kalvin Phillips, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.
The home side won a free-kick, 25 yards out on the right when Liam Cooper felled Cavaleiro and Wolves took full advantage. Barry Douglas found the top right corner with a fine strike.
Wolves could then have had a second soon after, Cavaleiro crossed well, but Leo Bonatini could only put his header wide of the goal.
Cavaleiro again threatened in the 20th minute, when he fired a half volley from distance, again testing Lonergan.
However, Cavaleiro’s persistence paid off six minutes later, he turned on the edge of the box, before smashing the ball into the back of the net.
Leeds went close from a set-piece, Pablo Hernandez delivered and Cooper couldn’t make the desired contact with his header, that fell to Samuel Saiz who teed up Alioski, but his effort was blocked by Kemar Roofe.
Cavaleiro almost grabbed his second when Diogo Jota played him through on goal, but his dinked effort went wide.
Just before the break, Roofe forced Ruddy into a good save, before Saiz also forced the Wolves stopper into action from a narrow angle.
Half Time: Wolves 2-0 Leeds United
After the break, Leeds responded, making the perfect start. Saiz put a lovely cross into the Wolves box and Alioski provided a superb volley to pull a goal back.
Leeds continued to push for an equaliser, piling the pressure on the home side, both Saiz and Hernandez saw long range efforts go wide of goal.
However Leeds’ hopes of a comeback were dashed on the hour mark, Ronaldo Vieira, who had already been booked slid in on Jota and was sent off for a second yellow card.
Wolves went further ahead in the 72nd minute, Jota went through one-on-one with Lonergan, before lifting the ball over the United stopper and into the net.
The home side were then awarded a penalty when Lonergan was deemed to have brought down Bonatini and substitute Helder Costa made no mistake from the spot, to cap off a miserable night for the Whites.
Full Time: Wolves 4-1 Leeds United
Wolves: Ruddy, Doherty, Douglas, Bennett, Cavaleiro (Costa 69), Neves (Price 80), Boly, Coady, Jota, Saiss (N’Diaye 81), Bonatini.
Subs not used: Norris, Batth, Miranda, Enobakhare.
Leeds: Lonergan, Ayling, Cooper, Jansson, Berardi, Vieira, Phillips, Alioski, Hernandez (O’Kane 68), Saiz (Dallas 77), Roofe (Ekuban 68).
Subs not used: Wiedwald, Pennington, Anita, Shaughnessy.
Referee: G. Eltringham
Booked: Vieira, Phillips, Alioski
Sent Off: Vieira
Venue: Molineux
Attendance: 28,914