Wolves 2 - 1 Sunderland: Late Fletcher double gives O’Neill much to think about

O’Neill, who will officially take charge today as Steve Bruce’s successor, watched from the directors’ box as Kieran Richardson put the Black Cats ahead early in the second period. But Sebastian Larsson saw his penalty saved by Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey before Fletcher struck twice in eight minutes.

Victory moved Wolves four points clear of the bottom three and relieved the pressure on manager Mick McCarthy. It was Wolves’ second win in 12 games but they have now taken seven points from their last three home matches.

Sunderland remain just a point above the relegation zone as their winless league run extended to five games.

However, the away side were the first to settle and Stephane Sessegnon’s volley was held by Hennessey after Jody Craddock had claered a Larsson centre.

Wolves threatened for the first time when Jamie O’Hara’s volley ballooned up to Christophe Berra whose header was held on the line by Keiren Westwood.

The home side appealed in vain for a penalty after Lee Cattermole tugged at Dave Edwards’ shirt inside the box.

Hennessey went down to hold on to Larsson’s long range attempt after a clearance from John O’Shea had dropped into his path.

Larsson then made a vital tackle to halt the run of Stephen Hunt towards the Sunderland box.

It needed a superb save from Westwood to keep Sunderland on level terms after 39 minutes.

Matt Jarvis delivered a probing cross which found Hunt in space and his powerful close-range effort was parried away by Westwood when a goal seemed inevitable.

A minute late Lee Cattermole became the first player to be yellow carded for a challenge on Kevin Doyle and he will now have to serve a one-game ban for incurring five bookings this season.

Stephen Ward came to Wolves’ rescue three minutes before the interval when he cleared off the line from the impressive Sessegnon.

Bendtner went for goal himself at the start of the second period when the overlapping Larsson was in a better position and he failed to hit the target with his rising shot.

But after 53 minutes a superb strike from Richardson put Sunderland in front after a quickfire counter-attack.

Bendtner’s flick found Sessegnon in space and he released the overlapping Richardson whose shot flew past Hennessey inside the near post for his second goal of the season.

Richardson then showed his defensive qualities with a vital clearance from Ward’s low centre as the home side searched for an instant reply.

Ronald Zubar was booked for a foul on Bendtner before McCarthy made a double change with Doyle and Hunt replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Adam Hamill.

Sunderland had the chance to double their lead when Craddock was adjudged to have brought down Larsson inside the box although replays suggested the initial contact may have been outside.

However, Hennessey kept Wolves hopes alive by saving Larsson’s low spot-kick away to his left.

It was a crucial save as within 30 seconds Fletcher had levelled for Wolves. Jarvis sent over a curling centre and Fletcher’s downward header beat Westwood.

Fletcher put Wolves ahead after 81 minutes when a cross from substitute Hammill was manoeuvred by O’Hara to the frozen-out Scottish international whose low shot flew past Westwood.

“It’s a massive result,” said Fletcher, whose side head to Old Trafford next week. “We’ve already got belief that we can get out of where we arehopefully we can take that into next week.

“We knew it was a six pointer and going 1-0 down we took it on the chin but we showed we can come back.

“All credit to the lads. Its my job to score goals and I’m trying to do it as best as I can.