The work was done in the first half by Crystal Palace, who managed to keep the two-goal lead they amassed intact – thanks in part to a listless display from Wolves.
A scrappy and disjointed second half that featured no more than five offsides failed to produce anything of real note, with Lage’s side finding their first shot after half-time at the 86th minute thanks to Chiquinho – a substitute.
The lack of goal-scoring thrust will concern the Wolves coach, while Vieira will be impressed with his side’s potency on the counter and the clean sheet, with Andersen instrumental in organising the defence.
The loss keeps the hosts eighth, while Palace goes up to 10th.
Starting Lineup:
WOLVES XI (5-2-3): Jose Sa;
Marcal, Romain Saiss, Conor Coady, Maximilian Kilman, Ki-Jana Hoever;
Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves; Pedro Neto, Hee-Chan Hwang, Daniel Podence.
WOLVES SUBS: Chiquinho, John Ruddy, Rayan Ait Nouri, Trincao, Fabio Silva, Willy Boly, Jonny, Leander Dendoncker, Raul Jimenez.
CRYSTAL PALACE XI (4-3-3): Vicente Guaita;
Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell;
Conor Gallagher, Cheikhou Kouyate, Jeffrey Schlupp;
Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Wilfried Zaha.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Eberechi Eze, Odsonne Edouard, Martin Kelly, Jairo Riedewald,
Will Hughes, Jordan Ayew, Jack Butland, Luka Milivojevic, Christian Benteke.
Goals:
PALACE, TAKE THE LEAD! 1-0! Gallagher slips a lovely pass in-behind, Andersen, for Zaha, who latches onto it and beats his man for pace before driving to the byline and putting a low cross into the near post. Mateta continues his run and manages to fluff a shot that loops up and over a sprawling Sa. The striker loops around and bundles it home emphatically with the goalkeeper on the ground and the ball not yet over the line.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! 2-0 PALACE! Zaha steps up and lashes his penalty into the top corner – beating Sa, who had guessed correctly.
So, what’s next for Wolves and Crystal Palace?
Wolves are in action again on Thursday when they host Watford. Crystal Palace has nine days off, featuring March 14 against Manchester City.
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