Wolves 3-0 Cardiff: López, Armstrong and Krejčí seal dominant win

Wolves delivered a dominant display at Molineux to sweep aside Cardiff City 3-0, climbing to third in the Championship with a performance built on aerial power and clinical finishing.

Three headed goals settled the contest as César Peixoto’s side made it four games unbeaten and extended their run of clean sheets. Fer López opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Adam Armstrong quickly doubled the advantage, and Ladislav Krejčí sealed the victory just before the hour mark.

The hosts started with intent. Jordan James forced an early save from Nathan Trott and Rafiki Saïd saw a goalbound effort blocked before Wolves struck. Hugo Bueno delivered a clever chipped pass over the defence and López, returning to the side, dived full length to head the bouncing ball beyond Trott for his sixth Championship goal of the season.

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Saïd delivered a precise cross from the right and Armstrong, left unmarked in the box, powered a header high into the net. Cardiff offered little response in the first half, though a brief medical emergency in the stands forced a temporary stoppage around the half-hour mark.

After the restart the Bluebirds showed more urgency. Joel Colwill twice tested José Sá but found the goalkeeper equal to both efforts. Wolves then put the result beyond doubt in the 58th minute. Kieran Trippier swung in a corner and Krejčí rose highest to glance a header into the far corner.

Cardiff continued to press and came closest when a combination of Sá and the post denied Yousef Salech, with Colwill somehow prodding the loose ball wide from close range. Yet Wolves remained comfortable, managing the game smartly as substitutions refreshed the side.

The final whistle confirmed a third successive home win and a result that underlines Wolves’ promotion credentials. For Cardiff, the defeat continued their struggles on the road and left them mid-table with work to do. At Molineux, the home supporters left satisfied after a professional, efficient afternoon’s work.