Leeds off drop zone with enthralling 4-2 Wolves defeat

With rain drenching the West Midlands, the visitors knew time was running out if they were to avoid a top-flight demotion for the first time since 2003/04, so it was no surprise to see Javi Gracia’s fired up troops burst out of the traps searching for an early lead.

Their efforts would pay dividends inside ten minutes, as Wilfried Gnonto defied the difficult conditions by charging into the box and squaring for Jack Harrison who made no mistake from 12 yards.

Wolves’ strong response to that blow saw Nélson Semedo’s penalty appeals waved away before Illan Meslier had to be smart to thwart Daniel Podence from inside the area.

And as a rainbow stretched over Molineux, the hosts came so close to hitting the jackpot as some superb build-up play resulted in pinball inside Leeds’ area with Semedo’s subsequent effort blocked on the line.

Despite Wolves’ overwhelming dominance it was Gracia who probably felt lucky as the half-time whistle blew, with his side fortunates leaders.

Julen Lopetegui’s side had transferred their dominance into the second period and they saw a goal ruled out for offside just minutes after the restart.

Perhaps their intensity caught up with them as Leeds struck a sucker punch though, with the Wolves backline sleeping as Luke Ayling nodded back across the goal and into the net.

Rasmus Kristensen then made it three for his side when he slid through the legs of José Sá after wriggling free in the box, for a goal which initially appeared to kill the contest.

Perhaps conditions were to blame for a quite remarkable Wolves goal that followed just minutes later however, as Meslier’s risky headed clearance culminated in Jonny lobbing him from all of 40 yards.

A back-and-forth finale ensued and the visitors’ dams threatened to burst on multiple occasions before Matheus Cunha’s 74th-minute effort found the net with help from a deflection.

Decibels rose in the stadium with Wolves now after blood, though Jonny appeared to take that sentiment a little too literally when he crashed into Ayling with his sliding challenge.

His subsequent red card took the steam out of Wolves and their fans, allowing Rodrigo to add the icing on the cake for Leeds’ travelling fans with his composed finish securing a victory that propels Leeds out of the relegation zone.

Matheus Nunes was then shown a red card for an incident off the pitch, summing up a disappointing afternoon for Wolves.