In-form Kenny Miller's superb hat-trick took his tally to 12 goals in nine
games to help Wolves consolidate their position in the Nationwide Division One
play-off places and further dent Crystal Palace's fading promotion hopes.
The former Rangers and Hibernian striker gave Wolves a first-half lead and,
after Dean Sturridge had doubled the advantage, he completed his treble late on
as Dave Jones' men collected three points in the league at Molineux for the
first time since December 7.
The afternoon began well for Wolves when George Ndah, Colin Cameron and Mark
Kennedy were all passed fit, while Shaun Newton took Alex Rae's place in
midfield, but their joy was short-lived as Ndah lasted just eight minutes before
he was forced off to be replaced by Adam Proudlock.
Palace boss Trevor Francis made three changes to the side that was held to a
goalless draw by Sheffield Wednesday last week, with Kit Symons, Tony Popovic
and Shaun Derry recalled in place of Danny Granville, Steven Thomson and Darren
Powell.
Five minutes later Palace also suffered an injury blow when Andrew Johnson had
to be replaced by former Wolves striker Ade Akinbiyi.
Miller had the first shot of the match in the 18th minute but fired wide,
while Cameron flashed a volley over the crossbar from 25 yards soon after.
Palace made their second substitution in only the 25th minute when Wayne
Routledge was sent on for Aki Riihilahti before Dele Adebola shot wide for
Palace and Wolves defender Denis Irwin curled a free-kick wide.
Miller eventually broke the deadlock five minutes before the break when a
mistake in the Palace defence allowed Proudlock to break free and when his low
cross from the right evaded everyone, Kennedy put the ball back in the danger
area and Miller tapped home.
Palace rarely threatened an equaliser after the break and, as they began to
throw men forward, Wolves added a second in the 77th minute when Kennedy put in
a superb cross which Sturridge poked home.
Miller beat the offside trap and latched onto Cameron's superb pass to net his
second six minutes later and was then fouled by Darren Powell in injury-time
before completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
Teams
Wolverhampton: Murray, Irwin, Lescott, Butler, Naylor,
Newton (Sturridge 62), Ince, Cameron (Rae 86), Kennedy, Miller,
Ndah (Proudlock 8).
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Clyde.
Booked: Sturridge.
Goals: Miller 40, Sturridge 77, Miller 83, 90 pen.
Crystal Palace: Berthelin, Symons, Powell, Popovic,
Butterfield, Mullins, Derry, Riihilahti (Routledge 25), Gray,
Johnson (Akinbiyi 15), Adebola (Black 64).
Subs Not Used: Kolinko, Granville.
Att: 26,010
Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).
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