Three moments of brilliance kill off Hull

Terrific Goal
By Scott Cooper
February 25 2006

WOLVES moved to within two points of the play offs after a terrific game at Hull City's KC Stadium. On loan Arsenal striker Aliadiere, Carl Cort and Celtic bound Kenny Miller scored the goals in a game which also included an incredible own goal.

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle had highlighted last week the need for Wolves to put a run of three straight wins together for the first time this season, so it came as a surprise to some that the former England Managers pre-match press conference was based around Hoddle admitting this game wasn't a "must win" one. Hoddle was probably trying to take the heat of his so far underachieving Wolves side and it worked wonders.

If it wasn't a must win prior to the game, it certainly was once the results came in. Preston North End had lost away at Reading meaning this victory had put Wolves to within two points of Preston and the final play off spot. Preston have a game in hand at home to Crewe on the 28th March but with Wolves still having to play at Deepdale the chase for the play offs couldn't be better poised.

The performances against Burnley and Ipswich in the previous two games have not been the best and todays game on the North East coast was no different, however the three performances have shown a return of 9 points. In truth Hull dominated the first half and would rightly have deemed themselves unlucky to go down 1-0 at the break.

Although Postma was without a save to make Hull caused Wolves problems and it wasn't until Aliadiere picked the ball up on the 27th minute that Wolves sprung into life. A hopeful ball forward found the Frenchman who Thierry Henry like took the ball in his stride, raced past two defenders and lashed the ball home across the face of the 'keeper into the far corner of the net.

Wolves should have doubled the lead minutes after, but a last ditch tackle and a header over the bar from Miller six yards out saved Hulls blushes.

A couple of minutes before half time Hull should have got the goal their possession deserved. Joleon Lescott tried to let the ball roll out of play but with the busy Parkin between the ball and the goal Lescott took his legs and the referee pointed to the spot.

Postma dived the right way but Green hit his spot kick wide of the right hand post.

Hull City did finally get the goal they had been looking for but it wasn't until the second half. Six minutes after the break a deep cross caused confusion and Carl Corts brother Leon hammered the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Wolves needed a reply and with the scores once again level they started to have their best spell of the match. The terrific Kenny Miller won the ball on the half way line raced towards goal, played a neat one-two with Aliadiere and the Celtic bound Striker sidefooted Wolves into a 2-1 lead.

Wolves looked set to seal the win but for an incredible own goal nine minutes from time. A deep cross was controlled by Edwards 7 yards past the goal on the goal line and the Welsh International somehow managed to hook the ball back into the area, up over Postman and into the net. It will be a goal seen for years to come on the many bloopers shows bound to be released over the coming years.

Aliadiere was replaced by Ricketts late on and as the game drifted away he provided the assist for the winning goal. A nice passing move found Ricketts on the left hand side and his cross was nicely side footed home by Carl Cort who celebrated in front of the travelling support.

Once again the performance as a whole wasn't the best, but three moments of brilliance (four, if Edwards tried to score from the angle he did!) provided Wolves with three points and a chance of claiming a play off spot.

HULL CITY 2-3 WOLVES