Coventry 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2

Last updated : 16 November 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Wolverhampton Wanderers took all three points in this hard fought West Midlands derby, Joleon Lescott and Alex Rae scoring either side of half-time to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and Youssef Chippo forced Matt Murray into a save after two minutes, with an effort from the edge of the area.

Craig Hignett then had a golden chance to give Coventry the lead. The on-loan Blackburn star went round Murray from Lee Mills' through pass, but just as he was about to shoot Lescott came to Wolves' rescue with a brilliant saving tackle.

Shaun Newton wasted Wolves' first chance, blazing over from the edge of the area after Dean Sturridge's header.

Gary McAllister was pulling the strings in midfield for the home side and it was the manager's lay off which set up Hignett with a shooting chance in the 19th minute but he was way off target.

The game changed in the 28th minute when McAllister was forced off with an injury caused by an earlier challenge with Paul Ince. Coventry's dominance immediately came to an end and the visitors got on top.

They took the lead eight minutes before the break when Fabien Debec pushed Rae's long range shot on to the post and Lescott was the first to react and fired home from five yards.

Coventry camped in the Wolves half during the second period as they looked to force an equaliser but were struggling to turn their territorial advantage into chances.

Hignett then had an effort stopped by Murray before Rae made the points safe for the visitors.

The midfielder picked up the ball after Mo Konjic stabbed Newton's header clear and when nobody went to close Rae down, he fired low and hard into the corner of Coventry's net from 25 yards