One creative passage of play, and a touch of luck, ensured Wolves’ imperious march to the Premier League continued as they went 12 points clear at the top of the Championship.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side withstood Ipswich’s aggressive approach and had the guile, organisation and enough movement to carve out chances for scorer Matt Doherty, along with Jota, Barry Douglas and Helder Costa.
Doherty’s winner, after good build-up play involving wing-back Douglas and midfielder Alfred N’Diaye, owed much to luck and a soggy pitch as he met Douglas’ cross with his face at the back post and the bounce deceived the goalkeeper.
After the squad spent a week warm-weather training in the Spanish sunshine after their first home defeat of the season, 1-0 by Nottingham Forest, Santos made two changes, with N’Diaye and Costa starting in place of Romain Sais and Leo Bonatini.
“The benefit of the bonds the boys created during a week together are visible,” said Santos. “Hours a day enjoying themselves but with a lot of hard work. It’s been like that since day one and it really helped when they get into the competition, when they are able to control the opposition, and be stronger.”
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Wolves looked fresh and were rarely troubled although John Ruddy, given the customary “ovation” by Town fans towards an ex-Norwich player, tipped over a 25-yard dipping shot from David McGoldrick and safely gathered a cheeky chip from Martyn Waghorn as Ipswich made fleeting raids on goal.
Ipswich have not completely given up hope of a return to the top flight themselves and Tottenham’s highly-rated youngster Cameron Carter-Vickers, on loan, made his debut at centre-back.
Former Wolves midfielder Stephen Gleeson introduced himself with a strong tackle on Ruben Neves, which earned him a booking much to manager Mick McCrathy’s chagrin.
The resulting free kick on the edge of the area, hit by Douglas, was expertly tipped around the far post by Bartosz Bialkowski.
The goalkeeper also saved well from a powerful Jota drive, was brave at the same striker’s feet and then turned away a well-struck angled shot from substitute Bonatini, and a long-range effort from Bright Enobakhare.
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McCarthy praised his old club and said: “They’re a very good side. It’s a bit of parasite football, they can prey and feed on our mistakes, and I don’t blame them — they are very good at it. They’ve got quality.”
McCarthy’s Ipswich were boosted by securing Bialkowski on a new three-year deal in midweek after suggestions he was Premier League bound, although nothing has thus far materialised for the Polish goalkeeper, who has been Town’s Player of the Year for the past three seasons and is hugely popular with supporters.
However, McCarthy’s own future at Portman Road remains in doubt after he refused to comment further on whether or not he would be staying on when his contract ends at the end of the season.
For Wolves, everything points towards a return to the top flight for the first time since McCarthy led them to promotion in 2009 before being sacked three years later.