Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Coventry City 0: Wolves' unlikely hero Collins seals last-minute victory
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Neill Collins emerged as what his manager called "an unlikely hero" with the late goal that earned Wolves a victory that could revitalise their season.
A tense, untidy game was wandering towards what seemed the inevitability of a goalless draw when Coventry, marginally the better side for most of the afternoon, gave away a needless corner.
They could then only clear it back to Michael Kightly on the byline and the game's most creative player put it back in for the substitute defender to head emphatically passed Andy Marshall in the third minute of time added on.
"He attacked it brilliantly and we managed the only bit of magic of the game", said Mick McCarthy as he savoured the late strike that lifted his side above City in the upper reaches of the Championship table. "Maybe we had that bit of good fortune that we've not had in the last two games."
Collins was only on the field because of the misfortune that befell Wolves' experienced left-back Michael Gray in the first half. Gray tore a hamstring in a 50-50 tackle and Wolves also lost their goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessey, after a collision with Robbie Simpson saw him taken to hospital for X-rays.
That disruption, plus the understandable confidence of a Coventry side with a win at Old Trafford on their recent CV, made it look like an increasingly difficult afternoon for Wolves.
Wolves' lack of punch cried out for their leading scorer, Freddy Eastwood, who was duly brought on only to show, with his lack of touch, why he was not in the starting line-up.
Coventry, with "The Mosquito" – Michael Mifsud, whose goals beat Manchester United – buzzing angrily, looked the more likely winners and probably would have been if their captain, Michael Doyle, had converted a glorious chance when sent through by Jay Tabb, rather than steering it beyond the far post.
That left the door ajar for Collins and Woods. "It wasn't a game we deserved nothing out of," said the Coventry manager, Ian Dowie. "But that's football."
Goal: Collins (90) 1-0.
Wolves (4-4-2): Hennessey (Stack, 30); Foley, Breen, Craddock, Gray (Collins, 20); S Ward (Eastwood, h-t), Olofinjana, Henry, Kightly; Keogh, Elliott. Substitutes not used: Bothroyd, Gleeson.
Coventry City (4-4-2): Marshall; Osbourne, E Ward, Turner, Borrowdale; Simpson (Best, 88), Doyle, S Hughes, Tabb; Adebola (Kyle, 74), Mifsud. Substitutes not used: McNamee, M Hughes, Thornton.
Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).
Booked: Wolves Breen, Henry; Coventry Doyle, Borrowdale, Mifsud, Kyle.
Man of the match: Kightly.
Attendance: 24,338.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments