Live Commentary: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Nottingham Forest - as it happened

Britt Assombalonga of Nottingham Forest celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Fulham at the City Ground on September 17, 2014
© Getty Images
Find out how Nottingham Forest inflicted a third straight defeat on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

Promotion hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest met in this afternoon's Championship match at Molineux.

Neither has been in great form of late, but it was Forest who impressed in the second half, coming out on top 3-0 to inflict a third straight defeat on Wolves.

Read how it all unfolded in the Black Country with our minute-by-minute updates below.


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2.31pmAfternoon all. Our feature 3pm kickoff in the Championship sees two of the biggest teams in the league, Wolves and Forest, do battle at Molineux. No time to waste, let's get to the teams...

2.33pmWOLVES XI: Ikeme; Doherty, Batth, Ebanks-Landell, Ricketts; McDonald, Rowe; Henry, Edwards, Sako; Graham
Subs: Kuszczak, Stearman, Saville, Evans, Van La Parra, McAlinden, Keita

2.34pmFOREST XI: Darlow; Lichaj, Mancienne, Lascelles, Fox; Burke, Osborn, Lansbury, Antonio; Fryatt, Assombalonga
Subs: De Vries, Wilson, Hunt, Ince, Paterson, Blackstock, Tesche

2.36pmKenny Jackett makes three changes to his Wolves team from the 5-0 drubbing at Derby County two weeks ago. New loan signing Danny Graham leads the line up front in place of Leon Clarke, while in midfield Tommy Rowe and Dave Edwards replace George Saville and Lee Evans.

2.37pmCan Graham make an instant impact with his new club. He's had a torrid past couple of seasons and really needs to find his goalscoring touch again soon.

Hull City striker Danny Graham holds his head in his hands during the Premier League match at Manchester City on August 31, 2013© Getty Images

2.39pmStuart Pearce, meanwhile, makes four changes to his Forest side for the trip to the Black Country. Both full-backs are different, with Eric Lichaj on the right and Danny Fox on the left. Chris Burke replaces Thomas Ince on the wing, while Henri Lansbury is preferred to Robert Tesche in the middle.

2.41pmREFEREE WATCH! The man with the whistle in the middle is Paul Tierney.

2.44pmThe two most important players today are probably wingers Bakary Sako and Michail Antonio. Sako is Wolves' top scorer this season, but he hasn't scored in the last three after netting in four successive games. As for Antonio, he's been excellent since a summer switch from Sheffield Wednesday and in Forest's last game scored an injury-time winner against Norwich City to end Forest's 11-game winless run.

2.47pmWhile Forest picked up a much-needed win against the Canaries two weeks ago, Wolves have lost two in a row and played poorly in both against two of their promotion rivals. They were outplayed in a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich Town before being trounced 5-0 at Derby to drop out of the top six.

2.50pmPREDICTION TIME! I expect it to be a high-scoring affair this afternoon and think Wolves might just edge it 3-2. See what else I had to say about the game in the Sports Mole Sofa video below.


2.53pmIt's a lovely, crisp day in the West Midlands

The players take to the field. #WWFCvNFFC #COYW

A video posted by Official Wolves (@officialwolves) on



0 minKICKOFF! We're underway at Molineux. Great atmosphere inside the stadium after that applause for Stuart.

3 minWolves win the first corner of the game and it's a testing delivery from Sako that Darlow does well to claim under pressure from Ebanks-Landell.

5 minAntonio showcases his skill out on the wing but then stupidly lets the ball just roll out of play before he dinked in a cross.

3.07pmUPDATE: The first goal of the day in the Championship comes on the South coast as Bournemouth go in front in their top-four clash against Ipswich Town. Sounds like a lovely scissor kick from Yann Kermorgant.

10 minAntonio, as expected, is the Forest player causing the most problems. The visitors appeal for a penalty after one of his crosses hits Henry on the elbow, but his arm was up against his body and he could do nothing about that.

13 minSTAT: Speaking of Antonio - he has been directly involved 58% of Forest's goals this season, a league-high.

15 minSAVE! Graham's first real involvement on his Wolves debut comes as he does well to meet Edwards's cross from the left but can't get enough power on his shot and Darlow makes a fairly comfortable save at his near post.

16 minForest break downfield and Fryatt almost opens up a shooting opportunity as he twists and turns in the area before Batth recovers and makes the tackle just as Fryatt was about to shoot.

3.20pmUPDATE: The goal at the Goldsands remains the only goal in the Championship's nine games this afternoon. Why is there only nine? Because two were played last night and one was at lunchtime earlier.

21 minBOOKING! Lansbury is the first player booked for a lunge on McDonald in the centre circle.

24 minMancienne with a dodgy backpass that Darlow just about does enough with under pressure from Graham.

3.26pmUPDATE: Malky Mackay's appointment at Wigan Athletic has been a controversial one, but his side are leading against high-flying Middlesbrough thanks to a free kick from Shaun Maloney.

27 minOFF THE POST! That's by far the closest we've come to a goal as Lansbury's curling effort from distance is tipped onto the post by Ikeme. The ball breaks for for Lascelles, who makes a mess of the rebound.

28 minCHANCE! It's all Forest at the moment as Wolves fail to clear their lines and the ball falls into the path of Fryatt. It's a tight angle on the left side of the box for the striker, but he opens his body and almost beats Ikeme. The Wolves keeper has to tip it wide.

30 minAnd now there's plenty of pressure from Wolves. Henry with a couple of really inviting deliveries that Forest do well to deal with and defend.

32 minDISALLOWED! Edwards with a lovely finish across goal into the corner and he thinks he's put the home side in front. Unfortunately, the offside flag was up.

36 minBurke is beginning to have more an influence for Forest and he's just delivered a fantastic cross from the right that neither Fryatt or Antonio could get on the end of.

37 minDarlow almost gifts Wolves a goal as he leisurely leaves his goal to come and collect what he thinks is a simple ball over the top. Did he not see Edwards? The Wolves man brought it down well and would have had an open goal to roll it into had Mancienne not been alert to clear.

40 minYou have to say that Forest have probably edged the first half. They had that really good spell midway through the opening period but just failed to break the deadlock.

43 minWOLVES SUB: The home side are forced into a change as Ebanks-Landell goes off with an injury and is replaced at the back by Richard Stearman.

45+1 minJust the one minute of added time at the end of the first half.

45+2 minBOOKING! Lascelles with a ridiculous caution for jumping up and using his hands to prevent Graham taking a quick throw-in.

45+2 minHALF-TIME: WOLVES 0-0 FOREST

3.50pmWell, the goalfest I predicted hasn't quite worked out. I'm still hopeful that there will be goals this afternoon after watching Huddersfield and Wednesday play out a goalless draw earlier! Give me a goal!

3.53pmIf you're only just joining us and want a quick recap on the first half, check out our half-time summary here.

3.56pmHALF-TIME SCORES: Here's how it stands in the second tier's other eight games this afternoon:

Blackburn 0-1 Leeds
Blackpool 0-0 Bolton
Bournemouth 1-0 Ipswich
Charlton 0-0 Millwall
Norwich 1-1 Brighton
Rotherham 0-0 Birmingham
Watford 0-1 Derby
Wigan 1-0 Middlesbrough

3.59pmHere's some first-half action at Molineux. The sun might be out, but it's quite dark and wintry in the Black Country.

Wolves v Nottingham Forest.

A photo posted by Official Wolves (@officialwolves) on



4.01pmA reminder that Wolves have already had to make one of their three substitutions by taking off the injured Ebanks-Landell for Stearman.

4.03pmForest still have all three substitutions available and one of the men who will come on, especially if Forest need a goal, will be Thomas Ince.

4.04pmThe two teams are back out on the pitch. No changes from either side at the break.

47 minForest have a free kick in a great position right at the start of the second half. Will it be a shot or a cross?

48 minSAVE! It's a clever routine that sees Fox curl the ball around the wall. Ikeme makes a stop at the near post and is travelling with such momentum that he can't avoid carrying it out of play. Nothing comes of the corner.

49 minBOOKING! Doherty is the first Wolves player to be booked after a high lunge on Antonio. He was going for the ball fairly, but it was high and just a tad late.

51 minBurke with some neat footwork out on the right, but he can only find Wolves keeper Ikeme with his centre.

52 minCHANCE! Big chance for Forest on the counter-attack as Stearman's tackle on Lansbury breaks perfectly into the path of Burke. He is oddly hesitant and fortunately he gets the ball back after a tackle and tees it up for Lasnbury, whose shot is too close to Ikeme.

56 minCLOSE! So, so close to a lovely opener from Forest as Assombalonga lays the ball off for left-back Fox, whose curling effort with his weaker right foot flew just wide.

57 minSako with a decent cross into the box that Edwards gets up well to meet, but he can't get enough on it and the ball bobbles out.

60 minWOLVES SUB: A second change by Jackett as he takes off Henry for Liam McAlinden. He'll offer a bit more up front and Wolves certainly need it. They've been largely second-best today.

61 min

65 minGOAL! WOLVES 0-1 FOREST (ASSOMBALONGA)

65 minA couple of minutes after McDonald shot over for Wolves, Forest take a deserved lead and it's goal number 11 for the season for Assombalonga. He's now all on his own at the top of the scoring charts after tapping home a lovely team move by the visitors. Fryatt, Fox and Antonio all involved. Great stuff.

68 minGOAL! WOLVES 0-2 FOREST (FRYATT)

68 minTwo goals in three minutes for the visitors as Fryatt rises highest to meet a corner from Lansbury and head home.

71 minThey're certainly enjoying themselves now at Molineux.


73 minClick here to see how the table looks right now. Forest are set to climb up to seventh and they'll be just a couple of points off the playoffs.

74 minI said earlier that Assombalonga was on his own as top goalscorer, but that's no longer the case as Daryl Murphy equalises for Ipswich at Bournemouth. The two now both have 11 for the season.

75 minWOLVES SUB: Jackett makes his third and final change, bringing on winger Rajiv van la Parra for Edwards.

76 minCHANCE! Oh and what a chance for Van La Parra just after coming on! He arrives at the back post to meet a free kick but gets his header all wrong with just Darlow to beat.

80 minCHANCES! Oh Wolves, Wolves, Wolves! The hosts should have one back as they have three chances in quick succession, but none of them find the target. The first was the best one, but it was superbly blocked by Mancienne.

81 minBOOKING! Stearman goes into Tierney's book. Now 2-3 on the yellow-card count.

83 minGOAL! WOLVES 0-3 FOREST (LANSBURY))

83 minGame, set and match as Lansbury, who has been impressive on his 10th league start of the season. He arrived on the edge of the box to powerfully sidefoot home Antonio's low cross.

84 minFOREST SUB: The man who opened the scoring, Assombalonga, is taken off for Robert Tesche.

86 minFOREST SUB: Another change from the visitors and another up front as Dexter Blackstock replaces Fryatt.

88 minFOREST SUB: You could call it clever I guess, but it's quite annoying from Pearce as he makes three changes in quick succession but all at separate times. It's not like he really needs to time-waste, he's three goals up. Jamie Paterson on for Antonio.

89 minCLOSE! Almost a fourth for Forest as Lansbury fires a great effort towards the corner that Ikeme beats out. The rebound is straight to Paterson, but he can only spoon it over the top.

90+1 minFour minutes added on at the end of the second half.

90+2 minForest continue to come forward and have another chance as a quick free kick sees Paterson cut inside and have a low shot blocked.

90+5 minFULL-TIME: WOLVES 0-3 FOREST

4.55pmIt's two wins in a row for Forest as they inflict a third straight defeat on Wolves.

4.57pmIf you look at those three Wolves defeats, they've lost 10-1 in those three games.

4.59pmClick here to see how the table looks tonight. Forest up to eighth and two points off the playoffs. Wolves a point further back in 11th. The top half is so tight!

5.02pmTime for us to say goodbye, but why don't you now head this way to join us for the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United? To catch up on all of this afternoon's results, click here. Good evening!

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett looks on prior to the Pre Season Friendly match between Oxford United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Kassam Stadium on July 29, 2014
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Burnley382112561313075
2Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381914552351771
3Middlesbrough37217948232570
4Hull City37199950232766
5Derby CountyDerby381713851351664
6Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds381614856362062
7Cardiff CityCardiff38151494941859
8Ipswich TownIpswich381610124644258
9Birmingham CityBirmingham371511114135656
10Preston North EndPreston381314113635153
11Queens Park RangersQPR381215114743451
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves381212144651-548
13Leeds UnitedLeeds371114123745-847
14Blackburn RoversBlackburn381113143736146
15Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest381113143436-246
16Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38129175253-145
17Reading371112144243-145
18Brentford37127184859-1143
19Bristol City381110174058-1843
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham38116214462-1839
21Fulham38814165764-738
22MK Dons38910193251-1937
23Charlton AthleticCharlton38711203469-3532
24Bolton WanderersBolton38414203668-3226