Charlton won their first match in ten meetings against Wolves to leapfrog over
Middlesbrough into third place in the First Division.
It was Charlton's fourth successive win and completed a miserable three days
for Wolves who lost to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Charlton completely dominated the first half but only had one goal to show for
their efforts.
Hans Segers had saved well from Shaun Newton at the near post in the sixth
minute but two minutes later was picking the ball out of the net.
Keith Jones sent Newton clear on the right and his precision cross was met by
Clive Mendonca who headed home from eight yards.
It was Mendonca's 21st goal of the campaign - his best ever haul in a season.
A fierce shot from Paul Mortimer was charged down and Mendonca forced another
save from Segers before Steve Jones missed a good chance in the 19th minute
heading wide from a Danny Milnes cross.
Five minutes later Steve Jones netted but had handled and deep into first half
injury time Mendonca missed another glorious chance falling over his own feet
after being put clear by Mortimer.
Wolves, who had four players booked by the break, rarely threatened. Don
Goodman forced a good save from Sasa Ilic in the 12th minute and later fired in
a powerful effort straight at the Australian-born keeper.
Goodman was Wolves' best player in the first half and it was a big surprise
when he was withdrawn, Dougie Freedman taking his place, in the 54th minute.
It was a decision that did not please the Wolves fans and Goodman showed his
disgust by running straight to the dressing room.
Wolves, however, then had their best patch of the game and in the 66th minute
it took a fine save from Ilic at the feet of Freedman to stop the Wolves
striker.
Three minutes later Newton laid on a half chance for Mendonca but he shot
straight at Segers from 15 yards.
Wolves continued their spirited fightback and Neil Emblen went close with a
fine header.
Charlton held on nervously but were still dangerous on the break and went
close in the 84th minute when Steve Jones powered a shot inches over the bar.
But Wolves continued to cause alarm in the Charlton defence. Freedman shot too
high, then in the 87th minute Ilic made a fine save to keep out another Freedman
effort.
It was a frantic finish, and Charlton substitute Neil Heaney should have
wrapped the points up in the 89th minute but shot straight at Segers from ten
yards.
Teams
Charlton: Ilic, Mills, Bowen (Brown 81), K. Jones, Rufus, Youds,
Newton, Kinsella, S. Jones (Emblen 88), Mendonca,
Mortimer (Heaney 86).
Booked: Kinsella.
Goals: Mendonca 8.
Wolverhampton: Segers, Muscat, Naylor (Simpson 29), Sedgley,
Williams, Curle, Froggatt, Emblen, Goodman (Freedman 54),
Claridge, Osborn (Slater 79).
Booked: Sedgley, Froggatt, Osborn, Emblen.
Att: 13,743
Ref: F G Stretton (Nottingham).
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