Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Tranmere Rovers 0.
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers2TranmereTranmere Rovers0
Wolves struck two first-half goals as they outplayed Tranmere to return to the top of League One.
The hosts took the lead when top scorer Leigh Griffiths' speculative shot from 25 yards was fumbled in by Rovers goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams for his 12th goal of the campaign.
The home side then doubled their lead on 42 minutes through Dave Edwards.
The fit-again midfielder climbed well to head his first goal of the season from Bakary Sako's near-post corner.
Griffiths was replaced at the break by Jake Cassidy, who came on to face the club where he had spent time on loan in each of the past two seasons.
Cassidy should have scored with his first touch, only to steer his right-foot shot wide with Fon Williams exposed.
On a night when Wolves could have won by more against a Rovers side who had won 5-1 at Coventry on Saturday, Fon Williams saved again with his legs to deny Sako in the dying seconds.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Tranmere manager Ronnie Moore told BBC Radio Merseyside:
"We've played a super side. They were streets ahead of us and sometimes you just have to hold your hands up.
"You look at their budget and our budget, and that's what you get. I don't think there's any disgrace in coming here and getting beaten.
"Owain Fon Williams has got his head in his hands, but he kept us in the game on Saturday at Coventry with two great saves. That's football. He's just got to get on with it."
Line-ups
Wolves
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Ikeme
- 18Ricketts
- 26Golbourne
- 4Edwards
- 6Batth
- 5Stearman
- 27JacobsSubstituted forPriceat 86'minutes
- 11McDonald
- 9GriffithsSubstituted forCassidyat 45'minutes
- 29Doyle
- 10SakoSubstituted forIsmailat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Doherty
- 15Sigurdarson
- 16Cassidy
- 19Price
- 21Ismail
- 23Ebanks-Landell
- 31McCarey
Tranmere
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Williams
- 2Holmes
- 23Ridehalgh
- 17PowerSubstituted forWallaceat 45'minutesBooked at 82mins
- 20McNulty
- 5Goodison
- 15KirbySubstituted forBell-Baggieat 69'minutes
- 14Atkinson
- 9Lowe
- 22KoumasSubstituted forSodjeat 68'minutesBooked at 82mins
- 26Akpa Akpro
Substitutes
- 3Horwood
- 6Hateley
- 8Wallace
- 11Bell-Baggie
- 12Rowe
- 19Sodje
- 33Mooney
- Referee:
- Graham Scott
- Attendance:
- 14,989
Match Stats
Home TeamWolvesAway TeamTranmere
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away1
- Corners
- Home7
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Tranmere Rovers 0.
Post update
Foul by Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Ryan Lowe (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Abdulai Bell-Baggie (Tranmere Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Zeli Ismail replaces Bakary Sako.
Post update
Attempt saved. Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jack Price replaces Michael Jacobs.
Booking
Akpo Sodje (Tranmere Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
James Wallace (Tranmere Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Michael Jacobs (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by James Wallace (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Attempt missed. Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
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Attempt saved. Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
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Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Chris Atkinson (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Attempt saved. Akpo Sodje (Tranmere Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
