Wolves avoided an FA Cup upset by beating Bristol City 2-1 at Ashton Gate to reach the fourth round of the competition.
First-half goals from Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes put the Premier League visitors in control and underlined the gap in status between the two teams.
Scott Twine halved the deficit with a magnificent free-kick on the stroke of half-time and Wolves – who hit the post twice in the second half – survived a late scare four minutes from time.
Twine fizzed over an angled free-kick to the far post and Ross McCrorie headed against the underside of the crossbar before Wolves just about cleared to hold on.
Rodrigo Gomes celebrates after doubling Wolves’ lead at Bristol City
Pereira: Wolves’ priority is the league
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira:
“It’s a special competition. Tradition. Our priority is the league for sure. But because we don’t have time for training, and I want to increase some behaviours, it’s important to use the games to do it. We’ll have time to recover for the next game.
“What I realise is this game is very difficult. If we come here playing with our suit we have the quality to win.
“But we must come here not just to enjoy. We must show the right mentality because they have the level, intensity and physicality (to match us).
“We started strong because if they get the confidence they will win the game. The Championship has quality and the games are very difficult.”
Manning: We want to test ourselves vs Premier League level
Bristol City head coach Liam Manning:
“The first 25 to 30 minutes was a really good lesson in terms of the lads’ intent to press and the desire of the set up at times was good.
“But if you’re half a yard off, you get picked off. We were a bit disappointing with the ball, but we got back into it which speaks volumes for the resilience of the lads. In the second half I thought we gave a really good account of ourselves.”
“Everyone’s aspiring to get to the Premier League, so you want to test yourself against that level.
“It was good for us to see where we’re at and what we need to do to get better. It’s definitely something to take confidence from.”
