Wolverhampton Wanderers won at Middlesbrough for the first time in 67 years despite closing out their 2-1 victory at the Riverside Stadium this evening with only nine men.
Helder Costa gave the visitors the lead on 32 minutes, against the run of play, but Wolves were soon in the groove and went two up through Ivan Cavaleiro five minutes later.
Ill-discipline from the Championship leaders gave Boro an avenue back into the match as both Ruben Neves and Matt Doherty were sent off for two bookable offences in the second half.
Boro were not able to capitalise on their numerical advantage until the 94th minute when Patrick Bamford set up a tense finish with a stunning volley, but Wolves hung on for another win towards promotion.
Relive how all of the drama unfolded on Teesside with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
The return from the international break signals the final stretch of Wolverhampton Wanderers' Championship promotion push and it begins with a very tricky test to Middlesbrough, who have gone unbeaten in six to improve their own chances of bouncing straight back to the Premier League.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Randolph; Shotton, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Leabitter, Besic; Traore, Downing, Bamford
Subs: Konstantopoulos, Cranie, Fry, Howson, Baker, Harrison, Assombalonga
Subs: Konstantopoulos, Cranie, Fry, Howson, Baker, Harrison, Assombalonga
WOLVES: Ruddy; Boly, Coady, Bennett; Douglas, Saiss, Neves, Doherty; Cavaleiro, Costa, Afobe
Subs: Norris, N'Diaye, Batth, Gibbs-White, Vinagre, Hause, Bonatini
Subs: Norris, N'Diaye, Batth, Gibbs-White, Vinagre, Hause, Bonatini
Daniel Ayala is passed fit for Boro after limping off an hour into the 1-1 draw with Brentford a fortnight ago. The Spaniard has recently clocked up 100 league appearances for the Teesside outfit.
A fractured ankle continues to keep Rudy Gestede sidelined. The target man was unsurprisingly an early favourite under Tony Pulis but has not played since a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff in February.
In Gestede's absence, Patrick Bamford has finally found some form with eight goals in six games, which is why he is keeping £15m summer signing Britt Assombalonga on the bench.
Adama Traore is another Boro player enjoying a purple patch and his inclusion alongside Stewart Downing means that Boro have the perfect combination of pace and quality delivery to supply Bamford from the wings.
Pulis makes just the one change from the side which was held at Griffin Park and it comes in midfield where long-serving skipper Grant Leadbitter is recalled at the expense of Jonny Howson.
Meanwhile his opposite number Nuno Espirito Santo is content to name the same starting XI which knocked off Burton Albion in their last outing, with Diogo Jota still out with an ankle injury.
Wolves have not missed their top scorer since his early withdrawal against Reading on March 13 - they have scored six times in 155 minutes with Benik Afobe responsible for half of those.
The forward on loan from Bournemouth has scored four goals in his last three games to break into the starting lineup at the expense of Leo Bonatini, who is without a goal in 18 matches having found the net 12 times prior to December.
Fortunately for Wolves, one of their other eye-catching continental recruits from the summer has maintained his form. Ruben Neves has been in excellent form and has returned from international duty with Portugal unscathed.
HEAD TO HEAD: Wolves will need Neves to be at his best if they are to finally shake their Middlesbrough hoodoo. They have not won on 25 visits to Teesside and never at the Riverside Stadium.
The legendary Stan Cullis was in charge the last time that Wolves won at Boro in April 1951. The Black and Golds would go on to win the First Division title three times under Cullis that decade.
Some people may argue that Tony Pulis plays football as though it is 1951, but his simplistic approach is working at the Riverside Stadium. Boro are on a six-match unbeaten run which is their best league form of the season.
Middlesbrough have record victories in each of their last four home matches, scoring 11 goals in the process. They had previously only won once in five outings at the Riverside Stadium.
RESULTS: There has already been seven matches in the Championship today, and it has been a Good Friday for those teams who are chasing Wolves at the top of the table. Both Cardiff City and Fulham picked up three points by beating Burton and Norwich City respectively.
Check out all of today's results in our live scores section by clicking here.
Although Fulham back in third, 10 points adrift of Wolves, have seemingly left it too late to usurp the leaders from the position that they have held since October, Cardiff are now within just three points of Nuno's men and have reeled off seven wins in a row.
Brentford's late equaliser against Sheffield United keeps Boro in the playoff places. Only two points separate Derby County in fifth and Preston North End in 10th so the run-in promises to be very exciting, as it almost always is where the playoffs are concerned.
Middlesbrough were the pre-season promotion favourites when they visited Molineux on the opening day of the campaign but it did not go to plan under Garry Monk and only the appointment of Pulis has put them in contention for an immediate return to the Premier League.
It was Bonatini who was the hero on debut way back in August as he fired Wolves to a 1-0 win, but the Black Country outfit have never done the league double over Boro, at any tier of English football, with this their 44th attempt.
The omens continue to look bleak for Wolves, as Pulis has been on the winning side in each of his last four meetings with the Black and Golds in all competitions, all while manager of Stoke.
A major factor in Boro's improvement in recent weeks has been Adama Traore finally finding an end product. The winger has always possessed fearsome pace and now he has added goals and assists to his game - a combination of six in his last eight matches.
It didn't work out for Traore at Aston Villa, who put Wolves to the sword on their last away outing. Nuno's side were thumped 4-1 by their West Midlands rivals for their heaviest defeat of the season.
Wolves have recovered from that setback with back-to-back home wins and four more victories from their remaining eight matches will see them promoted back to the top flight for the first time since 2012.
Elsewhere in the Championship at 5.30pm this evening, Paul Clement takes charge of freefalling Reading for the first time as they host Queens Park Rangers. I will keep you in touch with the latest from the Madjeski Stadium throughout the night.
Plenty of seats still to be filled at the Riverside as we approach kickoff...
Big setting for a big game #wwfc pic.twitter.com/Bb0llxb6Ez — Tim Spiers (@tim_spiers_Star) March 30, 2018
A worry for Wolves may be a lack of attacking options on the bench to change the game if it remains tight going into the final 20 minutes. Bonatini is the lone forward among Nuno's substitutes with January signing Rafa Mir having dropped out of the squad.
PREDICTION: Wolves have a shocking record at Middlesbrough and would surely take a point today and smile all of the way home to the Midlands. I think that is how it will end up - a cagey 1-1 draw which comes alive in the final stages.
I think both sides would settle for that result today. Boro haven't fared too well against the Championship's best sides this season and they have four of the top 10 to play in their run-in. Every point counts and nobody will appreciate that more than the methodical Pulis.
KICKOFF: The action is underway on Teesside, where Stuart Attwell is our referee...
Boly gets into a bit of trouble trying to play out from the back but Middlesbrough's attack breaks down with Bamford, who takes a heavy thump to the hip and requires some medical attention.
It has been the hosts who are enjoying the better start but no chances as of yet. Traore collects a deep Downing cross and spins away from Douglas, but overruns the ball and Coady gets a foot in.
The shoe is on the other foot now as Traore fails to check an overlapping run of Douglas and is forced to tug back the marauding Wolves wide-man to give away a free kick in a decent area.
Douglas whips in a delicious cross which Boly is very close to getting his head to in the six-yard box.
To describe Traore as blistering is doing him a disservice. He races past Boly down the right flank but his weak cross towards Bamford is cut out by Bennett at the near post.
YELLOW! Leadbitter has just returned from a two-match ban and is straight into the book here for a reckless and late challenge on Cavaleiro. He was determined to snuff out a Wolves counter-attack from Ruddy's quick throw and boy the Boro skipper didn't take any chances.
The Wolves staff are off their bench again in uproar after Shotton swings through an attempted clearance and takes out Douglas on the left flank. Attwell keeps his cards in his pocket this time but may have to get them out again soon as Boro have not been shy of being physical.
SHOT! Neves has scored some beauties this season and tries to add to his collection with a 30-yard shot which he skilfully cut across to generate some spin which forces Randolph to push the ball behind for a corner.
Bamford has a tough task on his hands this evening up against three physical Wolves centre-backs. So far Boro's direct service up to the in-form frontman has not given him a prayer.
Ruddy endures a couple of nervy moments, needlessly punching behind for a corner at the back post and then flapping at the subsequent set piece. Wolves have conceded nine goals from corners this season and that sort of goalkeeping won't fill them with confidence.
The visitors have been unable to get Costa into the game so far and his first opportunity to dictate play in the final third is wasted as his pass to Doherty is intercepted by Downing.
SHOT! Besic cuts in from the left edge of the area and bends a shot towards the bottom corner. Ruddy seem to have it covered but Bennett ducked to get his head in the way beforehand.
Brilliant play from Traore as he dribbles through three Wolves defenders and lifts a decent cross in towards Bamford. Coady stretches to head away but there is panic among the visiting defence as they clear straight to Friend, whose 30-yard shot is sliced a few yards wide.
Boro are firmly on top here, with Wolves penned back and unable to get out of their own half. Nuno's side have lost the composure which they have had on the ball for much of the season.
The hosts should be feeding Traore more as he is clearly in the mood this evening. They are having most of the ball but struggling to create anything when it isn't coming from the winger.
GOAL! MIDDLESBROUGH 0-1 WOLVES (HELDER COSTA)
Against the run of play, Wolves lead! It all starts with a superb diagonal out to Doherty in an advanced position down the right. After he lays in Costa for a shot which is pushed away by Randolph, the other wing-back Douglas chips a delicate cross to the back post for Costa to rifle home from close range.
UPDATE: Speaking of teams who are 1-0 up, that takes us to Reading who are ahead against QPR thanks to Sone Aluko's strike. Could it be the perfect start for new boss Paul Clement?
SHOT! Neves unleashes almost a carbon copy of the 30-yard shot which tested Randolph earlier in the half, only this one has a bit more swerve and dip on it and the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper is nearly fooled into a mistake before he pushes the ball over the crossbar.
GOAL! MIDDLESBROUGH 0-2 WOLVES (IVAN CAVALEIRO)
From the resulting corner, Boly's glancing header is kept out superbly by the reflexes of Randolph, but Cavaleiro is on hand to nod home the rebound from a couple of yards out. The Boro goalkeeper is very unfortunate there but Wolves have suddenly taken complete control of this match.
Friend whips an inviting ball around the back of the Wolves defence but Bamford was not gambling. The striker was alone in the box which is a problem in this Middlesbrough system, as Traore and Downing are not ones to arrive late at the back post.
YELLOW! Ruddy is booked for taking too much time over a goal kick, which isn't really necessary.
The wing-backs have been pivotal in Wolves changing the momentum of this match. Doherty and Douglas pushing forward have forced Traore and Downing deeper and they have been a big attacking threat themselves, both playing a role in the opening goal.
There will be TWO minutes of added time at the end of this first half. Tony Pulis appears mistified on the touchline having seen his team begin much the stronger only to concede twice in quick succession.
HALF TIME: MIDDLESBROUGH 0-2 WOLVES
Cardiff laid down the gaunlet with their win over Burton Albion earlier this afternoon and so far Wolves have answered. As it stands, Nuno's side will regain their six-point lead at the top of the Championship table ahead of their huge showdown with the Bluebirds next week.
Their two-goal salvo after the half-hour mark came out of nowhere, with Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro each applying close-range finishes. Previously Boro had been the better side although they had not created much of note with which to test John Ruddy.
LATEST: Reading have held onto their advantage against QPR heading into the break. The Royals have not won in nine games previously and would climb a place to 19th with a win.
STATS: The half-time numbers do not fairly reflect how Boro unsettled Wolves in the first 30 minutes of this match. However, Nuno's men held firm and ended the half with 54% possession and six shots on target compared to Boro's one - including a couple of rockets from Ruben Neves.
The shining light for Boro so far has been Traore who has looked dangerous whenever he has had the ball. Middlesbrough simply haven't given it to him often enough, and Bamford alone has not been enough of a presence in the box to ask serious questions of the Wolves defence.
No news of any half-time changes as we prepare for the second half. Britt Assombalonga would be the obvious option for Boro at the expense of one of the three central midfielders.
KICKOFF: The action is back underway at the Riverside Stadium where Boro face a tall order. Wolves have the best away defensive record in the Championship this season and have kept more clean sheets on their travels than any side in the top four English leagues.
Doherty checks back onto his left foot but knocks his cross too deep and behind for a goal kick.
Really good hold-up play from Cavaleiro eventually releases Doherty down the right again. The ball nearly reaches Douglas at the far stick but Randolph takes the ball off his toe.
There has been little sign of a Boro comeback in the early stages of this second half. Bamford still looks isolated up front and switching Traore to the left has yet to bring any reward.
Neves sends Costa through with a fantastic through-ball with the outside of his foot, and the forward is sent tumbling on the edge of the box by a clip of the heels from Friend. It looks like a certain foul and possible red card, but referee Attwell seemingly felt that there was no contact.
RED CARD! Referee Attwell does have his cards out this time, and it is a second yellow and a red for Ruben Neves. It is a blatant foul by the midfielder, sliding in late on Friend on the edge of the box, and reckless considering he had just been booked for a tackle on Traore.
Could that be a game-changing moment? Boro's first opportunity with a numbers advantage is a Leadbitter free kick which is cleared as far as Traore, whose 20-yard volley takes a deflection on its way behind.
SUBSTITUTION: Nuno responds by sacrificing Cavaleiro for defensive midfielder Alfred N'Diaye. Wolves will be satisfied to sit deep now and back themselves to keep Middlesbrough out.
YELLOW! The referee has a job on his hands to keep control of this game which now really has an edge to it. Shotton is the latest into the book for a trip on the skilful Costa.
SUBSTITUTIONS: A change apiece from the two managers as Nuno introduces fresh legs up front in the shape of Bonatini, in place of Afobe. Howson is on for Leadbitter for Boro and while he is a more offensive midfielder, if I was a Boro fan I would love to see two up front now.
CHANCE! More outstanding work from Traore who skips past two defenders and picks out Bamford with a great pass. The striker's first touch isn't great and the chance then passes him by following a slip.
YELLOW! Saiss takes one for the team by bringing down Traore as the winger threatened to break on Boro. There was lots of defenders back but that just proves how much Wolves fear Traore right now.
Wolves have a good opening to kill the game on the counter through N'Diaye and Costa, whose return cross is over the head of the Senegal international who was unmarked in the box.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Pulis opts to use his two remaining changes with still 20 minutes or so to go. Assombalonga and Martin Cranie are on in place of Clayton and Shotton.
RED CARD! Wow we are in for a fascinating finale now as Wolves are down to nine. Doherty, also punished for a foul on Traore at the start of the second half, sees yellow for the second time for leading with his elbow in an aerial challenge with Friend.
YELLOW! Wolves have lost their heads, and Bennett becomes the fifth visiting player to enter the book for a tackle from behind on Traore, who has been the cause of much of this chaos.
SHOT! Ruddy's poor punch drops perfectly to Howson on the edge of the box but he drags his left-footed volley wide.
Bamford weaves his way into the area but is prevented from getting a shot away by a last-ditch Douglas challenge. Downing is frustrated, feeling that he should have received a pass earlier.
So far the Wolves rearguard is standing strong. It would take a colossal defensive effort from here not to concede at least one before the end, and yet still Boro aren't knocking the door down.
SAVE! Ruddy is finally forced into a save as Traore tries to sneak a low shot into the bottom corner at the near post of the goalkeeper, who pushes behind for another corner.
CHANCE! Traore lifts a ball into the area onto the chest of Assombalonga, but Boly intervenes before the ball can drop to the feet of the substitute. Moments later, Boly gets a crucial block in to deny Howson, and Downing blazes the rebound a few yards over the crossbar.
SUBSTITUTION: Nuno uses his last change to wind the clock down, bringing on 18-year-old Morgan Gibbs-White in place of Helder Costa. That is another body to put behind the ball.
Wolves get a slice of luck as Saiss heads a Downing cross against Friend and behind for a goal kick. Ruddy will use this to tick some crucial seconds off, although he is on a yellow remember.
Just a minute plus stoppage time for Wolves to see out now, and I am really surpised by how little pressure they have been under in the last 10 minutes. The defensive unit has been outstanding though.
There will be SIX minutes of added time. Enough for a late twist?
Boro have as many as five men in the box but Traore's cross alludes all of them.
GOAL! MIDDLESBROUGH 1-2 WOLVES (PATRICK BAMFORD)
Bamford sets up a thrilling last couple of minutes with a stunning left-footed finish on the volley after Traore had hopefully hooked the ball into the danger area. Ruddy had no chance and that is now nine goals in seven for the striker. Can he find one more before the final whistle?
CLOSE! By the skin of their teeth, it looks as though Wolves are going to hang on. Coady's brave block denies Bamford a spectacular second, and the follow-up effort by Downing, with Ruddy stranded in response to the first shot, is just a couple of yards wide.
FULL TIME: MIDDLESBROUGH 1-2 WOLVES
I'm not sure I've ever seen a match quite like that! It has taken me a good 10 minutes or so to digest all of the drama - the red cards that weren't, the red cards that were and Boro's last-ditch efforts to snatch a point - but when the dust settles it is simply another step towards promotion for Wolves.
Three more wins and they are back in the Premier League. Boro's playoff race will go all the way.
That's it from Teesside, where Wolves have won for the first time in 67 years. You can read our match report on a crazy evening at the Riverside Stadium here. Thank you for joining me this evening, and please return for our extensive coverage of the Premier League tomorrow. Until then, goodbye!
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
