By Saj Chowdhury BBC Sport

Bottom-side Wolves slumped to their fourth successive defeat as two goals from Grant Holt helped Norwich come from behind to secure victory.

Terry Connor's side took the lead when Matt Jarvis converted Michael Kightly's low cross with a sidefoot finish.

Holt equalised little more than a minute later, showing great skill to beat keeper Wayne Hennessey.

The striker, later shown a second yellow card, scored the winner from the spot after Eggert Jonsson had handled.

Connor laments 'harsh' penalty

Given how desperate they are for points, it was surprising Wolves showed so little sparkle in attack after the break.

Norwich looked more likely to score, with midfielder Wes Hoolahan a livewire. His cross almost resulted in a third for Holt, but not even the 6ft striker could reach far enough to divert the ball into the net.

Holt's day came to an premature end when he was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Kightly.

If the 30-year-old's dismissal soured his day, his performance had already helped lift the Canaries to a dreamy 11th place, while Wolves remain bottom and four points from safety.

FAME & SHAME

  • Grant Holt is the third player this season to score and be sent off in the same Premier League game (Fernando Torres & Joey Barton are the others).

The visitors had begun well enough, with Kightly in particular causing problems for Norwich with his runs down the right.

The winger's free-kick almost resulted in the opener - a floated delivery that was headed on target by Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle, but pushed away by John Ruddy.

But his second deadly delivery into the area did result in a goal, Doyle inadvertently touching the cross into the path of Jarvis, who swept in.

Sadly for Wolves, their joy did not last long - 84 seconds to be exact.

Canadian Simeon Jackson poked the ball into the path of Holt and the powerfully built striker showed a delicate touch to dink the ball over Hennessey before finishing with his head.

WOLVES' WOES

  • Wolves have conceded 16 goals in five games under manager Terry Connor

And seconds before half-time, Wolves' frowns turned to looks of despair when Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot after Hoolahan's drive struck the arm of Jonsson.

Holt smashed the spot-kick straight down the middle past the diving Hennessey.

Wolves brought on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake after the break but neither he nor his team-mates tested Ruddy, with Paul Lambert's men defending easily in the Norfolk sunshine.

Norwich manager Paul Lambert:

Lambert has trust in 'excellent' players

"We're on 39 points which is an incredible stat. This season we've been excellent. Regarding whether I think we're safe, I never concede anything until mathematically we've done it. We're nearly there.

"It's a great testament to the team [to come from behind]. They keep going for you. It was a great finish by Grant for the first goal. It's never easy when the keeper is coming at that speed."

Wolves manager Terry Connor:

"I felt we were worth something from today's game. A point would have been a fair result. We got our noses in front and we should have kept the lead for longer. Regarding the penalty, I don't think it was an intentional handball.

"What we did just wasn't good enough. Having got in front, that's the bit you work hard for. To concede so early after scoring is crminal.

"Our position is not impossible. If we have eight more quality efforts then we won't be far short."

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Norwich City

  • 01 Ruddy
  • 02 R Martin
  • 06 Whitbread Booked
  • 22 Ward
  • 14 Hoolahan
  • 15 Fox
  • 17 E Bennett (Surman - 66' )
  • 19 Lappin (Naughton - 46' )
  • 24 Howson
  • 09 Holt Dismissed after an earlier booking
  • 10 Jackson (Morison - 73' )

Substitutes

  • 31 Steer
  • 25 Naughton
  • 04 Johnson
  • 07 Crofts
  • 11 Surman
  • 05 Morison
  • 21 Wilbraham

Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • 01 Hennessey
  • 05 Stearman
  • 11 Ward
  • 14 Johnson Booked
  • 21 Bassong
  • 04 Edwards
  • 07 Kightly (John Gorman - 89' )
  • 17 Jarvis
  • 22 Jonsson Booked (Milijas - 64' )
  • 10 Fletcher
  • 29 Doyle (Ebanks-Blake - 65' )

Substitutes

  • 31 De Vries
  • 16 Berra
  • 32 Foley
  • 20 Milijas
  • 41 Price
  • 46 John Gorman
  • 09 Ebanks-Blake
Ref: Clattenburg
Att: 26,752

Match Stats

Shots

15 10

On target

11 6

Corners

5 5

Fouls

13 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:35 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +4:14

Shot from 25 yards by Nenad Milijas. Zak Whitbread gets a block in.

90:00 +4:02

The ball is swung over by Stephen Ward, clearance made by Elliott Ward.

90:00 +3:14

Nenad Milijas has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

90:00 +2:09

The ball is crossed by Stephen Ward, Elliott Ward makes a clearance. Outswinging corner taken by Nenad Milijas from the left by-line played to the near post, Wesley Hoolahan makes a clearance. Shot by Matthew Jarvis. Clearance made by David Fox.

90:00 +0:59

Nenad Milijas takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Kyle Naughton manages to make a clearance.

89:24

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, David Fox gets a block in.

89:24 Booking

Booking Booking for Zak Whitbread for unsporting behaviour.

89:14

Foul by Zak Whitbread on Nenad Milijas, free kick awarded.

88:12 Substitution

Substitution Johnny Gorman joins the action as a substitute, replacing Michael Kightly.

87:22

The ball is sent over by Michael Kightly, save by John Ruddy.

87:00

Michael Kightly sends in a cross, clearance by Russell Martin. Stephen Ward delivers the ball, clearance made by Zak Whitbread.

85:18

Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.

85:18 Dismissal

Dismissal Grant Holt receives a red card for second bookable offence.

84:41

A cross is delivered by Grant Holt, Richard Stearman makes a clearance. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Kightly by Grant Holt.

83:54

Corner taken right-footed by Matthew Jarvis to the near post, clearance made by Kyle Naughton. The assistant referee signals for offside against Matthew Jarvis. John Ruddy takes the indirect free kick.

83:09

Centre by Richard Stearman, Russell Martin makes a clearance. Matthew Jarvis takes a shot. Andrew Surman manages to make a clearance.

82:41

Grant Holt is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

82:13

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by John Ruddy.

81:24

Centre by Stephen Ward, clearance by Kyle Naughton.

80:37

Steve Morison challenges Roger Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

80:03

The official flags Steven Fletcher offside. John Ruddy takes the indirect free kick.

79:06

Centre by Russell Martin, Richard Stearman makes a clearance. Shot by Jonathan Howson. Fantastic save by Wayne Hennessey.

77:50

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Elliott Ward.

76:51

Wesley Hoolahan concedes a free kick for a foul on Nenad Milijas. Free kick crossed left-footed by Nenad Milijas, Andrew Surman manages to make a clearance.

76:36

Stephen Ward delivers the ball, clearance made by Kyle Naughton.

76:18

The ball is delivered by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Russell Martin makes a clearance.

74:56

Foul by Steve Morison on Roger Johnson, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

73:57

Grant Holt is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

72:45 Substitution

Substitution Steve Morison is brought on as a substitute for Simeon Jackson.

71:30

Matthew Jarvis delivers the ball, clearance made by Elliott Ward.

71:03

Matthew Jarvis produces a cross, Elliott Ward manages to make a clearance.

69:55

Unfair challenge on Grant Holt by Nenad Milijas results in a free kick. David Fox restarts play with the free kick.

69:25

Shot by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Elliott Ward gets a block in.

67:56

Short corner taken by Andrew Surman. Wesley Hoolahan sends in a cross, Sebastien Bassong makes a clearance. Zak Whitbread has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

66:12

Nenad Milijas challenges Wesley Hoolahan unfairly and gives away a free kick. Elliott Ward takes the free kick.

65:30 Substitution

Substitution (Norwich) makes a substitution, with Andrew Surman coming on for Elliott Bennett.

65:00

Wesley Hoolahan sends in a cross.

63:41

Direct free kick taken by John Ruddy.

63:41 Substitution

Substitution Sylvan Ebanks-Blake replaces Kevin Doyle.

63:41 Substitution

Substitution Nenad Milijas joins the action as a substitute, replacing Eggert Jonsson.

63:41

David Edwards is penalised for a handball.

62:48 Booking

Booking Grant Holt goes into the referee's book for dissent.

62:26

David Fox restarts play with the free kick.

62:26 Booking

Booking Roger Johnson receives a caution.

62:17

Foul by Roger Johnson on Grant Holt, free kick awarded.

61:35

Steven Fletcher is flagged offside by the assistant referee. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

61:24

Wesley Hoolahan challenges Eggert Jonsson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Roger Johnson takes the free kick.

59:40

The ball is sent over by Elliott Bennett, clearance by Sebastien Bassong. Corner taken right-footed by David Fox to the near post, Eggert Jonsson makes a clearance. Effort on goal by Jonathan Howson from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

58:50

Short corner worked by Matthew Jarvis. The ball is swung over by Eggert Jonsson, comfortable save by John Ruddy.

57:05

Roger Johnson challenges Simeon Jackson unfairly and gives away a free kick. David Fox takes the direct free kick.

55:14

Matthew Jarvis sends in a cross, David Fox manages to make a clearance.

53:55

Zak Whitbread gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kevin Doyle. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Michael Kightly.

53:01

Matthew Jarvis produces a cross, clearance made by David Fox.

52:43

The ball is crossed by Richard Stearman, clearance by Russell Martin.

52:25

Kevin Doyle crosses the ball, Russell Martin makes a clearance.

50:44

The ball is sent over by Matthew Jarvis, clearance by Zak Whitbread. Michael Kightly takes the outswinging corner, Kyle Naughton makes a clearance.

48:29

Jonathan Howson takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson. The referee blows for offside against Grant Holt. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.

47:36

Elliott Bennett has an effort at goal. David Edwards gets a block in.

46:41

The ball is crossed by Wesley Hoolahan, comfortable save by Wayne Hennessey.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Simon Lappin goes off and Kyle Naughton comes on.

45:00 +1:57 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +1:38

Effort on goal by Matthew Jarvis from inside the box misses to the right of the target.

45:00 +0:14

Assist on the goal came from Wesley Hoolahan.

45:00 +0:14 Goal scored

Goal - Grant Holt - Norwich 2 - 1 Wolves Power penalty scored by Grant Holt. Norwich 2-1 Wolverhampton.

45:00 +0:02 Booking

Booking The referee shows Eggert Jonsson a yellow card.

44:54

Eggert Jonsson handles the ball and concedes a .

44:39

Wesley Hoolahan takes a shot. Eggert Jonsson gets a block in.

44:11

Grant Holt takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson.

42:18

Jonathan Howson concedes a free kick for a foul on Eggert Jonsson. Stephen Ward takes the free kick.

40:54

Michael Kightly has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.

40:08

Michael Kightly produces a cross, clearance made by Elliott Ward.

39:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Roger Johnson by Simeon Jackson. Wayne Hennessey takes the direct free kick.

38:28

Elliott Bennett crosses the ball, clearance by Sebastien Bassong.

37:36

Wesley Hoolahan delivers the ball, save by Wayne Hennessey.

37:09

Wesley Hoolahan fouled by Eggert Jonsson, the ref awards a free kick. David Fox takes the direct free kick.

35:03

Free kick awarded for a foul by Grant Holt on Sebastien Bassong. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

34:21

The ball is swung over by David Fox, clearance by Roger Johnson.

33:35

Simon Lappin produces a cross, clearance by Sebastien Bassong.

33:00

Centre by Simon Lappin.

31:54

Elliott Bennett challenges Matthew Jarvis unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Stephen Ward, clearance by Simon Lappin.

28:54

Grant Holt produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.

25:39

The assist for the goal came from Simeon Jackson.

25:39 Goal scored

Goal - Grant Holt - Norwich 1 - 1 Wolves Grant Holt finds the net with a headed goal from inside the area. Norwich 1-1 Wolverhampton.

24:14

Assist by Kevin Doyle.

24:14 Goal scored

Goal - Matthew Jarvis - Norwich 0 - 1 Wolves Matthew Jarvis finds the net with a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Norwich 0-1 Wolverhampton.

21:21

David Edwards concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonathan Howson. Direct free kick taken by John Ruddy.

21:08

Matthew Jarvis crosses the ball, clearance by Zak Whitbread.

20:10

Corner taken left-footed by Simon Lappin from the left by-line, Grant Holt takes a shot. Wayne Hennessey makes a comfortable save.

19:51

The ball is swung over by Grant Holt, Eggert Jonsson manages to make a clearance.

15:08

Richard Stearman fouled by Simon Lappin, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Michael Kightly from right channel.

12:10

Elliott Bennett has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

9:41

Elliott Bennett sends in a cross, clearance made by Matthew Jarvis. Outswinging corner taken by David Fox, Zak Whitbread takes a shot. Richard Stearman makes a clearance.

5:16

Wesley Hoolahan decides to take a short corner.

4:03

Elliott Bennett sends in a cross, Wesley Hoolahan takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson. David Fox takes a shot. Roger Johnson gets a block in. Shot by Simeon Jackson. Clearance made by Wayne Hennessey.

3:24

Sebastien Bassong challenges Grant Holt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Elliott Ward takes the direct free kick.

2:58

The ball is delivered by Stephen Ward, clearance by Zak Whitbread.

2:51

The ball is delivered by David Edwards, John Ruddy makes a clearance.

2:35

Kevin Doyle produces a cross, Simon Lappin makes a clearance.

1:23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Fletcher by Zak Whitbread. The ball is sent over by Michael Kightly, Steven Fletcher takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy.

0:58

Centre by Matthew Jarvis, clearance by David Fox.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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