Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Ipswich Town 0.
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers1IpswichIpswich Town0
Wolves earned their first win against Ipswich Town since August 2006 as they moved seven points clear at the top of the Championship.
The hosts broke the deadlock just before half-time when Ivan Cavaleiro fired low from the edge of the box.
Kevin Bru almost levelled for Ipswich when his curling effort towards the far corner was saved by John Ruddy.
Wolves could have made it 2-0 late on when Ruben Neves picked out Romain Saiss, but he nodded just wide.
Cardiff's defeat by struggling Bolton and Bristol City's draw at QPR meant Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves gave themselves an additional three-point cushion on second place, and they are 10 points clear of third-placed Derby County.
The win over Ipswich extended their unbeaten run to nine games and was their fourth consecutive clean sheet in December.
The Tractor Boys, meanwhile, slipped two places to 10th in the Championship table, three points off the play-off places.
And their defeat meant manager Mick McCarthy's unbeaten managerial run of 13 league games against Wolves - which goes back to his time at Millwall in August 1993 - came to an end.
Wolves were given a scare early on when Diogo Jota, who has scored nine goals for Wanderers this season, received treatment but he was able to continue and provided the cross to set up Cavaleiro's goal.
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo:
"It was a tough game. Ipswich press hard all over the pitch and it is hard to play against.
"We have seen that teams are trying to adapt to us and we have to find solutions.
"We don't look at the table. We look at how we want to continue and proceed and be persistent in our work. It is a good moment for us so let's enjoy it."
Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy:
"We blinked after 40 minutes again. It was a really good finish but us giving them the opportunity was not what I would expect from my team.
"I am happy enough with the performance, I'm just disappointed with the result.
"If you let your guard down and the opposition have got quality players you will be punished and that is what happened."
Line-ups
Wolves
Formation 3-4-3
- 21Ruddy
- 5Bennett
- 16Coady
- 15Boly
- 2Doherty
- 27Saiss
- 8NevesBooked at 72mins
- 3Douglas
- 7CavaleiroSubstituted forEnobakhareat 66'minutes
- 33BonatiniSubstituted forHélder Costaat 78'minutes
- 18JotaSubstituted forA N'Diayeat 88'minutes
Substitutes
- 4A N'Diaye
- 6Batth
- 17Hélder Costa
- 24Gibbs-White
- 26Enobakhare
- 29Vinagre
- 31Norris
Ipswich
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 33Bialkowski
- 12Spence
- 4Chambers
- 6WebsterBooked at 86mins
- 30Kenlock
- 16ConnollyBooked at 80mins
- 28BruSubstituted forBishopat 66'minutes
- 18Ward
- 9WaghornBooked at 70minsSubstituted forMcGoldrickat 72'minutes
- 11Celina
- 14GarnerSubstituted forSearsat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Smith
- 7Bishop
- 10McGoldrick
- 20Sears
- 24Crowe
- 37McDonnell
- 38Webber
- Referee:
- David Coote
- Attendance:
- 30,218
Match Stats
Home TeamWolvesAway TeamIpswich
- Possession
- Home64%
- Away36%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home4
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away13
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Ipswich Town 0.
Post update
Corner, Ipswich Town. Conceded by Willy Boly.
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Attempt missed. Bright Enobakhare (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Alfred N'Diaye following a fast break.
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Foul by Alfred N'Diaye (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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Adam Webster (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Hélder Costa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Myles Kenlock (Ipswich Town).
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Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ryan Bennett tries a through ball, but Alfred N'Diaye is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Rúben Neves with a through ball.
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Alfred N'Diaye replaces Diogo Jota.
Post update
Attempt missed. Barry Douglas (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Booking
Adam Webster (Ipswich Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Hélder Costa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Adam Webster (Ipswich Town).
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Attempt missed. Callum Connolly (Ipswich Town) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Grant Ward with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Ipswich Town. Conceded by Romain Saiss.
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Attempt missed. Hélder Costa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Rúben Neves with a through ball.
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Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Myles Kenlock (Ipswich Town).
