Burnley inflicted upon Wolves a first defeat at Turf Moor since 1963.
First-half goals from Gareth Taylor and Dean West, two players who were sent off in the pre-Christmas defeat at Gillingham, proved enough for Burnley to survive a second-half onslaught from Wolves who managed just a solitary reply from substitute Paul Butler.
It might have been different had Carlton Cole accepted an early chance but two goals in six minutes made it an uphill task for Wolves who had lost only one of their previous 12 matches.
Burnley's opener was a beauty, Robbie Blake supplying a left-wing cross which Taylor powered home with a fine header.
West turned up in the right place at the right time to drive home a shot which caught a deflection to deceive Matthew Murray.
It might have been three just before half time, but Blake was denied by a fine block save from Murray.
Wolves had the bulk of possession in the second half in which Burnley defended too deep and it was no surprise when Butler reduced the arrears with a fine right-foot curling shot when the home side failed to clear a corner.
In a game of eight bookings Wolves tried hard to find a late equaliser but to no avail, and after conceding ten goals in their previous two matches this was a timely win for Burnley.