Wolves ended their five-match losing run as late
goals from Kevin Doyle and Jamie O'Hara saw them salvage
a 2-2 draw against Swansea at Molineux and alleviate
some of the pressure on manager Mick McCarthy.
The Welsh side were in complete control at half-time
courtesy of goals from Danny Graham and Joe Allen and
looked set to record a first Barclays Premier League
away win.
McCarthy's side were booed from the field at the interval
and there was considerable disapproval from the home
fans when he removed wingers Adam Hammill and Matt Jarvis
for Nenad Milijas and Adlene Guedioura.
But Doyle tapped in after Michel Vorm could not hold
a Sam Vokes effort, before O'Hara calmly slotted the
leveller after intelligent play on the left by Doyle
to earn a point.
There had been signs of home nerves during a tense
opening, with Karl Henry particularly guilty of some
wayward passing which allowed Swansea to settle.
Nathan Dyer's drive across goal was turned just wide
of his own goal by Christophe Berra before Wayne Hennessey
tipped over Allen's effort from the edge of the box.
Wolves were rocked back on their heels but responded
by creating the best chance so far.
Doyle robbed Leon Britton and it took a sharp block
from Angel Rangel to stop Jarvis getting a shot on target,
before Vorm sharply beat away O'Hara's volleyed shot.
But it was Swansea who took the lead in the 23rd minute
as Mark Gower's lofted pass evaded Roger Johnson's desperate
attempted clearance for Graham to control and slot low
beyond the advancing Hennessey.
Wolves sought a rapid response and Vorm had to be at
his athletic best to tip over a Hammill free-kick.
But Swansea stunned their hosts by doubling their lead
as Graham was released down the right, with the striker
teeing up Allen for a simple tap-in.
And It could have been worse for Wolves as Hennessey's
failure to hold a Dyer shot resulted in confusion, but
they managed to survive to the break.
Henry fired narrowly wide as Wolves, presumably with
some choice words from McCarthy ringing in their ears,
made a purposeful start to the second half.
Jarvis headed wide at the far post after a lengthy
spell of pressure but a lack of guile and patience on
the ball was being exposed as Swansea's comparative
comfort in possession saw them carve out another chance.
Allen was the instigator with a neat turn in midfield,
and Hennessey had to be alert to deny Scott Sinclair's
close-range effort from a Dyer cross.
O'Hara was booked after a late challenge on Dyer following
another jinking run from the lively winger before a
shot from Sinclair was deflected up and over Hennessey
by Johnson's block, but landed on the roof of the net.
McCarthy's made a double change as he removed wingers
Hammill and Jarvis, to howls of derision from the home
crowd, to introduce Milijas and Guedioura.
Hennessey had another slice of fortune when his weak
parry from another Sinclair effort proved just enough
to get the ball past the post.
Wolves piled on the pressure and had appeals for a
penalty turned down when O'Hara went to ground under
a challenge from Swansea substitute Wayne Routledge.
But it proved a brief reprieve as the game was turned
on its head with two goals in quick succession.
Doyle tapped home after Vorm could only parry a close-range
effort from substitute Sam Vokes in the 84th minute
to give the hosts hope.
And they were level just two minutes later as Vokes
freed Doyle down the left, and the Republic of Ireland
international's intelligent cut-back was fired high
into the net by O'Hara.
Swansea were suddenly rocking and Doyle had a chance
to find a winner in stoppage time, but his tame header
was easily held by Vorm.
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