Wolves narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset, defeating Bristol City 2-1 at Ashton Gate to secure a place in the fourth round of the competition.
First-half strikes from Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes showcased the Premier League side’s quality and highlighted the difference in class between the two teams.
However, Scott Twine’s sublime free-kick on the brink of half-time brought Bristol City back into the contest, setting the stage for a tense second half.
Despite Wolves striking the post twice after the break, the Championship side nearly forced an equalizer with just minutes remaining.
Twine’s angled free-kick to the far post found Ross McCrorie, whose header rattled the underside of the crossbar before Wolves scrambled the ball clear.
Vitor Pereira, experiencing his first FA Cup as Wolves boss, made only three changes from the side that fell to Nottingham Forest earlier in the week, opting for a strong lineup.
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone earned his first start under Pereira, while new signing Emmanuel Agbadou debuted in defense alongside Andre.
Facing a Bristol City side unbeaten in four Championship games, including three victories, Wolves knew they faced a challenge. But by the 21st minute, they had established control.
Ait-Nouri tested Max O’Leary with a volley early on, but moments later, he made no mistake.
Joao Gomes’ cross weaved through a crowded penalty area, finding Ait-Nouri at the far post for a stooping header to open the scoring.
Jorgen Strand Larsen then broke through the defense, only for Goncalo Guedes’ poor connection to allow Zak Vyner to intercept.
Wolves doubled their advantage shortly after when Guedes slipped the ball to Rodrigo Gomes, who finished clinically past O’Leary.
Guedes and Strand Larsen continued to probe, with the former sending a shot over the bar and failing to capitalize on a misdirected kick from O’Leary, who recovered to gather the loose ball.
Bristol City, who had been largely subdued, began to push back as half-time approached.
Haydon Roberts’ effort was blocked by Santiago Bueno, but a foul by Hwang Hee-chan on Jason Knight gifted Twine a 25-yard free-kick, which he curled over the wall and into the corner of the net.
Wolves almost regained their two-goal advantage early in the second half when Roberts failed to intercept Matt Doherty’s pass, allowing Rodrigo Gomes to hit the post from a tight angle. Guedes also forced O’Leary into a smart save from distance.
The final stages saw a resurgent Bristol City press for an equalizer. Substitute Pablo Sarabia hit the post for Wolves, but it was the hosts who nearly found the decisive moment.
Twine’s late free-kick caused chaos in the Wolves box, with McCrorie’s header striking the underside of the bar before being cleared in the nick of time.
Ultimately, Wolves weathered the storm to advance, leaving Bristol City to rue their missed opportunities.
