Premier League: Wolves 0 Blackburn 2

Blackburn pulled themselves away from the relegation zone after a crucial 2-0 away win against fellow strugglers Wolves on Saturday.

It was Canadian striker Junior Hoilett who did the damage at Molineux, with the striker netting just before half-time to give Blackburn the lead before repeating the dose in the 69th minute to seal a much-needed three points for Steve Kean’s side.

The opening exchanges proved scrappy, with neither team managing to get into a rhythm.

Blackburn striker Yakubu threatened early on, with the Nigerian spurning three opportunities to score inside the opening 18 minutes.

Yet it was Wolves who should have scored a minute later when Matt Jarvis was left unmarked by David Edwards’ driven cross a few yards from the Blackburn goal, but it caught the winger unawares and he could not direct the ball on target.

Both teams were showing a lot of attacking intent but it was Blackburn who took a deserved lead on the 42nd minute.

Hoilett, who had been bright on the left-wing, despatched a well-hit volley past Wayne Hennessey after a long throw by Morten Gamst Pederson was not dealt with by the Wolves’ defence and found the Canadian unmarked in the area.

Blackburn were well worth their slender lead with both Hoilett and Yakubu looking dangerous and Wolves lacking in imagination up front.

The second-half started much like the end of the first, with Wolves misplacing many of their passes in midfield allowing Blackburn to counter-attack, often through the impressive Hoilett.

On the hour mark, Edwards was replaced by Michael Kightly as Wolves looked to level, yet Blackburn continued to press forward and worry the Wolves defence on the counter.

And it was a Blackburn break-away that lead to another superb goal in the 69th minute.

Yakubu found Hoilett in plenty of space in the middle of the Wolves’ half, and after bringing it forward he hit a driven shot from 25 yards that curled perfectly into the right-hand corner of Hennessey’s net to score his second goal of the game.

Wolves were visibly deflated as Blackburn began to step up the pressure, with much of the running being done by Hoilett who was beginning to run the game at the front.

In the 72nd minute Wolves’ could have conceded yet another goal after a Blackburn corner from the left was almost deflected into the net by Kevin Doyle, but it hit the bar and landed safely in the hands of Hennessey.

Wolves were almost offered a lifeline in the 86th minute when Nenad Milijas, who had come on for the impressive David Davis, headed over the bar after a brilliantly mazy run and cross from Jarvis.

Two minutes later, Jarvis made another good run down the left and put in a cross to the edge of the area where Steven Fletcher tamely volleyed towards goal, and Blackburn managed to hold on and record a crucial victory.