Wolves 3-0 Norwich City: Diogo Jota scoring run continues in convincing win

Diogo Jota has scored 10 goals in his past 12 appearances in all competitions - he has only scored in four of those games, netting more than once on each occasion

Diogo Jota made it five goals in two games as Wolves reignited their chase for a Champions League spot with victory against basement side Norwich.

The Portuguese forward was at his lethal best in recording a hat-trick in the 4-0 Europa League victory over Espanyol on Thursday and he took just 19 minutes to add to his tally for the season.

Initially it seemed Matt Doherty's assist would be ruled out for handball but replays showed that the ball bounced against his stomach. When the chance was presented to Jota he turned in one movement and struck a low shot through the legs of Tim Krul.

Jota's second was also reviewed by VAR. The striker was offside when the ball was initially played into the area but drifted back onside to tap in Romain Saiss' volleyed cross.

He came close to a second successive hat-trick as Wolves made it 3-0 soon after the break. His low strike thundered off the post but the loose ball was turned in by Raul Jimenez.

Norwich's brightest spell came in the opening 10 minutes when Teemu Pukki managed a shot at the near post before Kenny McLean's arrow of a strike from 20 yards was plucked out of the air by Rui Patricio.

Canaries boss Daniel Farke might be aggrieved that Wolves full-back Jonny was not punished for stepping on the leg of Max Aarons, who was on the ground following a challenge.

However, of more concern was how his side lost their shape so soon after Wolves scored their opener. They remain seven points adrift of safety with only 11 games remaining.

Wolves, on the other hand, are now two points shy of fifth - which could potentially become a Champions League spot - and five behind fourth-place Chelsea.

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Jota and Jimenez back on song

Nuno Espirito Santo's men had only recorded one win in their past seven league games coming into the match, although there were signs his side might have turned a corner during the impressive win over Espanyol.

Jota was the star that evening, taking his tally to nine in the competition this season. However, in the league he had only managed three before Sunday.

But the 23-year-old, who initially joined the club on loan in 2017 when they were in the Championship, seems to have rediscovered his best form - and at the perfect time for Wolves as they push for their best-ever finish in the Premier League.

Nuno will also be hoping Jimenez's first goal in four matches will also send him on a run. The Mexican forward has a great on-field understanding with Jota, and his initial charge from midfield led him to add the third goal.

It was a match where Nuno started winger Adama Traore on the bench, perhaps to keep his potent winger fresh for a final push. The Wolves boss will need all his key attackers on form as the club aim for what could be one of their most memorable seasons.

Norwich crumble again

Is it too late for Farke to change his tactics as his side fight to stay in the league?

His side have won admirers for their attacking intent in matches, but would setting up more defensively, akin to what Steve Bruce has done at Newcastle, reap them more points in the final third of this season? They have the pace and guile on the break with Todd Cantwell and Pukki in attack, supported by the swift full-backs.

It was during an early counter-attack that they caused Wolves problems when Pukki's close-range effort produced a good save from Patricio. And with the wind in their sails they pressed Wolves back again as McLean tested the agility of the Portuguese keeper with a firm long-range effort.

But then the visitors reminded us all why they have the second worst defence in the league - they allowed both Doherty and Jota to turn for the first goal, then three defenders went AWOL as Jota was left alone to tuck in the second.

Norwich had keeper Krul to thank for keeping it at 3-0 after he pushed Ruben Neves' strike on to the bar, then saved Doherty's late header with his legs.

It is Leicester next for Norwich, followed by Sheffield United - their Premier League fate might be all but decided by the first week of March.

No punishment for Jonny

There was one contentious moment prior to the Wolves opener when Jonny trod on Max Aarons' leg when the Norwich player was on the ground following a challenge.

The right-back looked in pain but Jonny's action was judged as accidental. The replay showed the Spanish full-back was trying to hurdle over his opponent and caught him with his boot.

The incident came a day after VAR decided the tackle by Tottenham's Giovani lo Celso's on Chelsea Cesar Azpilicueta did not warrant a red card.

Man of the match - Diogo Jota (Wolves)

Diogo Jota received a deserved standing ovation with his two goals from four efforts in total during the matchLucky omen Jota - the stats

Wolves earned their biggest win in the Premier League since January 2019 (3-0 v West Ham), while they have only won by a larger margin once previously in the competition - 4-0 v Blackpool in February 2011. Norwich have won just 18 points in the Premier League this season - of the previous 15 instances of a team having 18 or fewer points at this stage, only three have managed to avoid relegation (West Brom in 2004-05, Portsmouth in 2005-06 and Leicester in 2014-15). Wolves have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the top-flight for the first time since between October and November 1981 (five in a row). Since beating Manchester City in September 2019, Norwich have been winless in their last 11 games against teams starting the day in the top half of the Premier League (D5 L6). Wolves are unbeaten in the 10 Premier League games when Jota has scored, picking up the victory on eight of those occasions (two draws). Jimenez has scored more Premier League goals than any other player this season without ever netting the first goal in a match (12). Doherty has been directly involved in 13 goals in the Premier League since the start of last season (seven goals and six assists), the third-most of any defender in this period behind Trent Alexander-Arnold (25) and Andrew Robertson (18).

What's next?

Norwich host Leicester on Friday (20:00 GMT) and Wolves are at Espanyol on Thursday (17:55 GMT) for the return leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

Line-ups Match Stats Live Text

Line-ups

Wolves

11Rui Patrício

15Boly

16CoadyBooked at 68mins

27Saïss

2Doherty

32Dendoncker

8Neves

28João Moutinho

19Castro OttoSubstituted forVinagreat 80'minutes

9JiménezBooked at 41minsSubstituted forTraoréat 72'minutes

18JotaSubstituted forNetoat 64'minutes

Substitutes

7Neto

10Castelo Podence

17Gibbs-White

21Ruddy

29Vinagre

37Traoré

49Kilman

Norwich

1Krul

2AaronsBooked at 45mins

4GodfreyBooked at 77mins

5Hanley

12Lewis

27Tettey

23McLean

7RuppSubstituted forBuendíaat 59'minutesBooked at 87mins

25DudaSubstituted forDrmicat 59'minutes

14CantwellSubstituted forStiepermannat 84'minutes

22Pukki

Substitutes

8Vrancic

17Buendía

18Stiepermann

19Trybull

20Drmic

21Fährmann

35Idah

Referee:

Chris Kavanagh

Attendance:

31,046

Match Stats

Home TeamWolvesAway TeamNorwich

Possession

Home40%

Away60%

Shots

Home19

Away6

Shots on Target

Home6

Away4

Corners

Home4

Away1

Fouls

Home11

Away6

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Norwich City 0.

Full TimePosted at 90'+6'

Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Norwich City 0.

Posted at 90'+5'

Attempt missed. Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Conor Coady.

Posted at 90'+2'

Attempt saved. Ben Godfrey (Norwich City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Emiliano Buendía.

Posted at 90'+1'

Kenny McLean (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Posted at 90'

Attempt missed. Rúben Vinagre (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.

Posted at 89'

Attempt saved. Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rúben Vinagre with a cross.

BookingPosted at 87'

Emiliano Buendía (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 86'

Foul by Emiliano Buendía (Norwich City).

Posted at 86'

João Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 85'

Max Aarons (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 85'

Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Posted at 85'

Attempt blocked. Rúben Vinagre (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Doherty with a cross.

SubstitutionPosted at 84'

Substitution, Norwich City. Marco Stiepermann replaces Todd Cantwell.

SubstitutionPosted at 80'

Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rúben Vinagre replaces Jonny because of an injury.

Posted at 78'

VAR Decision: No card change Ben Godfrey (Norwich City).

BookingPosted at 77'

Ben Godfrey (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 77'

Foul by Ben Godfrey (Norwich City).

Posted at 77'

Jonny (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 76'

Kenny McLean (Norwich City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 76'

Foul by Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

SubstitutionPosted at 72'

Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Adama Traoré replaces Raúl Jiménez.

BookingPosted at 68'

Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 66'

Attempt missed. Teemu Pukki (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Josip Drmic following a fast break.

SubstitutionPosted at 64'

Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Pedro Neto replaces Diogo Jota.

Posted at 62'

Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by João Moutinho.

Posted at 61'

Todd Cantwell (Norwich City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 61'

Foul by Romain Saïss (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

SubstitutionPosted at 59'

Substitution, Norwich City. Josip Drmic replaces Ondrej Duda.

SubstitutionPosted at 59'

Substitution, Norwich City. Emiliano Buendía replaces Lukas Rupp.

Posted at 58'

Attempt missed. Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Matt Doherty.

Posted at 58'

Attempt missed. Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.

Posted at 55'

Attempt saved. Max Aarons (Norwich City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Todd Cantwell.

Goal!Posted at 50'

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Norwich City 0. Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from very close range to the top left corner following a fast break.

Posted at 50'

Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box following a fast break.

Posted at 49'

Attempt missed. Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Diogo Jota.

Second HalfPosted at

Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Norwich City 0.

Half TimePosted at 45'+3'

First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Norwich City 0.

Posted at 45'+2'

Attempt saved. Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.

Show more updates

goal

Source: bbc.com