England Premier League Media

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Turf Moor Date: Saturday, 13 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Burnley expect leading scorer Steven Fletcher to return against Wolves, having missed the last two matches with a broken hand.

Chris McCann is unlikely to be rushed back from a knee problem, while Steven Caldwell is absent with a groin injury.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy could name an unchanged side for the fifth successive match.

Striker Stefan Maierhofer has recovered from an ankle injury and could be named among the substitutes.

Burnley

Doubtful: Fletcher (hand), McCann (knee) Injured: Caldwell (groin)

Wolves

Injured: Edwards (ankle), Kightly (ankle/knee)

Burnley brought the advertising hoardings closer to the pitch in midweek in an attempt to nullify Stoke’s threat from throw-ins; there is no evidence of them needing to move the goalposts for the visit of toothless Wolves.

The Black Country side have scored the fewest goals in the top flight this season, a problem encapsulated by the sight of Sam Vokes blazing over the bar from close range last weekend as a point went begging against Manchester United. Wolves have now failed to score in seven games out of 10 since beating Burnley before Christmas.

Burnley failed in their attempt to deny Stoke’s Rory Delap a decent run-up for his exocet throw-ins, but a point on Wednesday ended a four-match losing run and brought Brian Laws’ side level on points with 17th-placed Wolves.

Burnley’s inferior goal difference is a consequence of having the worst defensive record in the division. Clearly, both clubs have obvious improvements to make if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Head-to-head

Burnley have not won in their last eight top-flight home matches against Wolves since a 1-0 victory in November 1963 (D4, L4).

Wolves have won three of their last four league visits to Turf Moor. Their only defeat in the last five was 1-0 last season.

Burnley

Burnley’s only win in their last 18 league matches was 2-1 at home against West Ham on 6 February.

They have scored in all 14 Premier League matches at Turf Moor.

The Clarets have the worst defensive record in the top flight, conceding 61 goals.

They have only earned 11 points from 13 games against other sides in the bottom half of the table – the worst record in the division.

Wolves

Wolves have lost their last three league matches without scoring. If they lose on Saturday it will be their longest run of defeats this season.

Their only victory in the last 10 games was 1-0 at home against Tottenham on 10 February.

Wolves have failed to score in seven of their last 10 league matches.

They have scored 21 league goals – the lowest tally in the division this season.

Burnley

Fletcher: 11 goals (7 league); Nugent: 6 goals (6 league); Alexander: 6 goals (5 league)

Wolves

Doyle: 6 goals (6 league); Craddock: 4 goals (4 league)

Referee: Steve Bennett

Assistant referees: Andy Garratt & Trevor Massey

Fourth official: Phil Dowd

Burnley (D1-1 v Stoke, h): Jensen; Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox (Jordan 77), Paterson, Alexander, Cork (McDonald 46), Eagles, Nugent, Thompson (Elliott 71). Subs not used: Weaver, Duff, Blake, Bikey.

Wolves (L0-1 v Manchester United, h): Hahnemann; Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward (Keogh 84), Henry, Foley, Guedioura (Ebanks-Blake 84), D Jones, Jarvis (Vokes 88), Doyle. Subs not used: Hennessey, Elokobi, Milijas, Mancienne.

Wolves scorers: Milijas 15, Doyle 50

Wolves midfielder David Jones remains confident that they will survive in the top flight, despite a tough run-in.

Six of Wolves’ remaining 10 games are away from Molineux, starting with a three successive road-trips to Burnley, Aston Villa and West Ham.

“I don’t think we’ll be afraid to go to the places we’re going away from home,” Jones, 25, told BBC WM.

“I’m sure we’ve displayed this season that we can play well and score goals away from home.”

The former Manchester United player has benefited from manager Mick McCarthy’s switch to 4-5-1, forming a three-man central midfield with skipper Karl Henry and January signing Adlene Guedioura.

“It’s been working quite well, we just need to convert a few more goals,” he noted after the narrow home defeat against Manchester United.

“I’m sure with performances like that in the remaining games of the season we will pick up points.”

Jones has started the past seven Premier League games after recovering from a long-term knee problem, scoring the winner in the home game against Tottenham.

Wolves striker Andy Keogh is back in full training and could feature in the squad that will take on Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

The Republic of Ireland international, 23, has not played since 21 November because of an ankle injury.

Manager Mick McCarthy told BBC WM: “He’s joined in with training today [Thursday] and looked terrific.

“He’s going to travel with us. Whether he’s involved or not, we’ll just see how he is after Friday’s session.”

The Wolves boss continued: “You can do as much running as you like and do all the rehab, but you can’t replicate playing any other way.

“He’s getting involved, he’s being knocked about and having to jump and land, and he’s looking comfortable.”

Keogh, a 600,000 signing from Scunthorpe in January 2007, was one of three long-term injury victims in the Wolves squad, along with winger Michael Kightly and midfielder David Edwards, who were all injured within the space of a fortnight.

“Kights is a way off, he’ll be back when he gets back and we’re not going to rush him back,” said McCarthy.

“Edwards will probably be another week or two before he’s training again fully.”

McCarthy’s side go into Saturday’s game against Bolton in 16th position in the Premier League, two places above their hosts.

Wolves are expected to be unchanged from the team that lost 2-0 against leaders Chelsea, with Kevin Doyle continuing up front on his own as part of a 4-5-1 formation.

Didier Drogba struck twice to take his season’s total to 25 as Chelsea sunk Wolves to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points.

The Ivory Coast frontman made the most of two rare chances in an unconvincing away display, sliding home his first from Yuri Zhirkov’s pinpoint cross.

Drogba then latched on to Petr Cech’s long kick for his second to wrap it up.

But Wolves will feel hard done by, with Cech twice denying Adlene Guedioura to render a brave home display fruitless.

And while the hosts should certainly take heart from a performance that once again proves they can live with the best sides at the Molineux on their day, another defeat means they remain perilously close to the drop zone.

For Chelsea, though, victory will be just what boss Carlo Ancelotti will have wanted after another week of front-page allegations and controversy surrounding the Stamford Bridge outfit.

The win also serves to reignite their title charge after a decidedly patchy run of form, especially on the back of rivals Manchester United’s defeat by Everton earlier in the day.

Not that many observers will look back on this match as a particularly convincing Chelsea victory by any stretch of the imagination.

Anyone who witnessed Wolves’ displays in their draws with Liverpool and Aston Villa, or their win over Tottenham, at the Molineux this season will have been less than surprised by their approach.

Packed across midfield and deep in defence, Wolves hassled and harried, suffocating Chelsea’s creative players and denying the front-runners space and time to manoeuvre in attack.

And for much of the first half, the hosts’ game plan worked to perfection. With Chelsea looking increasingly bereft of ideas, it was Mick McCarthy’s men looking the more threatening on the odd occasion they sprung a counter-attack.

Kevin Doyle, in particular, was a threat and he twice stung the palms of Blues keeper Cech, once with a low effort after a decent run across the box and then again with a snap-shot that the Czech Republic international did well to turn around his near post.

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a side boasting the second lowest tally in the league, though, Wolves failed to turn their half chances into goals – and when Chelsea finally put together a move of real incision and class they were made to pay for their lack of a cutting edge.

The impressive Zhirkov was the creator, exchanging a neat one-two with Michael Ballack on the edge of the box before crossing low for Drogba to complete the simplest of tap-ins at the far post in the 40th minute.

It was a rare moment of cohesion going forward for Chelsea, who have certainly lost an element of sparkle in recent weeks with only one win away from home in six league matches.

However, the opening goal failed to fire the visitors to greater heights at the start of the second half and only the commanding presence of Cech kept them ahead.

First a cross from Matt Jarvis floated to the onrushing and unmarked Guedioura at the back post, only for the midfielder’s crashing volley to be beaten away by Cech.

And then Kevin Foley brought an even better stop from the Blues keeper when he latched on to an error from John Terry to fire goalwards, his shot smothered bravely by Cech, Guedioura seeing his follow-up cleared.

Chelsea skipper Terry, of course, has been at the heart of the stories splashed across the tabloids in recent weeks.

But while Ashley Cole was spared the ignominy of the Molineux taunts by injury, there was no such respite for Terry – and it was another less than convincing performance from the former England captain.

As with in the first half, though, Chelsea proved their most dangerous when on the back foot.

However, if the first goal was all about ‘total’ football, the second was far more direct – and how that, in itself, underlines the Blues’ all-round threat this season.

Drogba was again the dagger in the Wolves defenders’ hearts, latching on to Cech’s booming goal kick, nodding round home keeper Marcus Hahnemann with his first touch and tapping in with his second.

The hosts continued to battle valiantly thereafter but, in truth, their spirit had been broken.

Doyle curled harmlessly wide and Terry cleared Greg Halford’s long throw off the line – though, as it was direct from the throw, it would not have counted anyway – but the remaining 20 minutes were comfortable for Chelsea.

And so the Londoners made it four Premier League wins over Wolves in four matches to make the most of Manchester United’s earlier slip-up and ensure they remain in pole position in the title race.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
“I’ve just had a right chew at the lads in the dressing-room because we’ve lost a game that we shouldn’t have.

We’ve let Chelsea off the hook today and that’s what has annoyed me. We had them in that second half, we had them. We created chances, didn’t take them, and then conceded a sloppy second goal that has killed us.

“Chelsea are the champions-elect and we’ve matched them in all departments today except putting the ball in the back of the net.”

Chelsea reaction:
Ancelotti wary despite Blues win

Zat Knight finally ended Bolton’s Premier League goal drought as they moved out of the bottom three.

Bolton had not scored in the league for more than nine hours but Knight made no mistake, tapping in Chung-Yong Lee’s cross from close range.

In a pulsating second half Wolves twice hit the post as they poured forward, with first David Jones and then Kevin Foley denied by the woodwork.

But Bolton held on for a vital win to move above their opponents.

Owen Coyle had only tasted victory in the Premier League once in eight attempts since taking the reins at the Reebok, but he has got Bolton playing some attractive football.

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was at the centre of most things the home side created, although it was Wolves who had the better of the early exchanges.

Matt Jarvis latched on to Kevin Doyle’s neat through ball, but Jussi Jaaskelainen was alert to the danger and rushed from his line, forcing the midfielder to blaze high and wide.

Bolton had their first real chance on 16 minutes when Kevin Davies released Wilshere but his low effort lacked bite and Marcus Hahnemann was down smartly to pounce on the ball.

Wilshere turned provider midway through the first half, jinking into the penalty area before laying the ball back to Stuart Holden who sliced his effort wide from 20 yards.

After a slow start the game was ebbing and flowing nicely and seconds later Johan Elmander had a glorious chance for Bolton. Gretar Steinsson’s cross bounced off the heels of Knight and dropped nicely for the Swede, whose rasping effort was smartly saved by Hahnemann.

The American goalkeeper had to be at his best again to thwart Davies’ effort from close range. The ball ricocheted out to Elmander and his effort was well blocked by Jody Craddock.

Within a minute it was Jaaskelainen who was called into action, taking no chances with Matt Jarvis’ effort, tipping it round the post.

The goal came in first-half stoppage time and again Wilshere was involved. His effort was deflected over by Karl Henry and from the resultant corner, the ball came out to Lee who left Adlene Guediora for dead, dribbled along the goal-line and put the ball on a plate for Knight, who stuck out a leg to turn it in from close range.

Bolton came out of the blocks all guns blazing after the interval and Davies should have doubled his side’s lead but his effort was saved by Hahnemann, who then had to dive at the feet of Holden as the Trotters continued to press for a second.

Wolves came within a whisker of levelling on the hour. David Jones was brought down by Paul Robinson 25 yards out but picked himself up to smash in a thumping effort that cracked off the post and rolled along the line with Jaaskelainen beaten.

Visiting boss Mick McCarthy must have thought it was not going to be his day when Wolves struck the woodwork again midway through the second half – Foley driving in a venomous shot that looked in all the way but grazed the inside of the post. And there were also claims for a Wolves penalty, with suggestions Gretar Steinsson had clipped Matt Jarvis.

One bit of good news for McCarthy was the return of Andy Keogh after two months out with injury, although the striker managed to get himself in the book just 30 seconds after coming on, after scything down Robinson.

Wolves continued to press for the equaliser, while Bolton substitute Ivan Klasnic saw his spectacular volley fly just wide. But one goal proved to be enough for the home side, who have now made it three clean sheets in a row at home.

Wolves have been hit with a 25,000 suspended Premier League fine for fielding a weakened team for their 3-0 December defeat at Manchester United.

Boss Mick McCarthy made 10 changes to the side that beat Tottenham 1-0 as he rested key players ahead of the game against Burnley, which Wolves won 2-0.

McCarthy, whose side are 16th, recalled nine players to face the Clarets.

He accepted the verdict, which he called a “deterrent”, and said he would not make the same selection move again.

“Everyone else can have an opinion on it [the ruling]. Mine is, I’m absolutely glad it is done and dusted with,” said the Wolves manager, whose side are only one point off the relegation zone.

“Will I change 10 players again? I think you will find it isn’t possible to do it.”

He added: “We’ll have to see if anyone else does it but, come on, it’s been put there as a deterrent. It has set a precedent and I’ve accepted it.”

McCarthy defended the choice of his side at the time of the match but was much criticised by his club’s travelling fans while United were not then in the best of form.

The Premier League’s statement on his team selection read: “The Premier League Board has issued Wolverhampton Wanderers FC with a suspended 25,000 fine after deciding that the team fielded in their league fixture against Manchester United on 15 December 2009 was not full strength and therefore in breach of Rule E20.

“The board also deemed that the club had failed to fulfil its obligations to the league and other clubs in the utmost good faith and was therefore in breach of Rule B13.

“The board considered submissions from Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and had sympathy for the explanation submitted by the club in relation to similar cases from previous seasons.

“However, the board ruled that this case could be differentiated from the other matches cited and that disciplinary action was warranted.”

The League’s E20 rule stipulates that clubs must field a full-strength side in all top-flight games.

However, goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was the only name on the Old Trafford team-sheet that had started the victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane three days earlier.

Former Republic of Ireland manager McCarthy said at the time: “We had a great result at Spurs and every player rated it 9 to 9.5/10 in terms of how hard it was.

“I need to protect them. If you have another match of that magnitude, you can’t cope. We have big games coming.”

However, his team selection prompted a furious reaction from some Wolves fans, with many of the 3,000 that travelled to Manchester asking for their money back.

Other observers claimed the selection was unfair to United’s title rivals and could set a dangerous precedent.

The Premier League seem intent on ensuring clubs do not field second-string teams in the future.

Their statement continued: “In coming to this decision the board also wants to put clubs on notice that any future rule breach of this nature would be subject to a disciplinary commission that would have available a full range of sanctions.”

However, Wolves striker Kevin Doyle, who scored his side’s second goal in the win over Burnley, claimed the League’s stance was flawed.

“I’m surprised anything has come of it, to be honest,” the Republic of Ireland international told BBC Radio 5 live.

“They [the Premier League] are going to have to end up fining a lot of teams over the next few years, I think, if they are going to go about it that way.

“Are they going to start fining clubs for changing teams in the FA Cup, the League Cup, when they go from Champions League to the league?

“Bigger teams change their sides massively every week, so why is that any different for us?”

The Molineux club’s chief executive, Jez Moxey, was more conciliatory and added: “This ruling may now lead to a wider discussion regarding the issue of squad rotation and the Premier League’s rules.

“We look forward to fully participating in any such debate at future Premier League meetings.”

Moxey, meanwhile, gave his backing to his manager and stated: “One thing that’s never been in question is the integrity of Mick McCarthy.

“He picked a team that, in his view, was in the best possible position to get a result in that particular game.

“He made it unselfishly and with the best interests of Wolves in mind.”

Bristol Rovers have signed Wolves defender Daniel Jones on a one-month loan deal.

Rovers hope the 23-year-old will be eligible to face Charlton Athletic in their League One clash at the Memorial Stadium on Monday night.

Jones began his career as a trainee at Wolves and has made 10 league appearances for Mick McCarthy’s side.

He went on loan to Notts County earlier this season and has also had spells at Oldham Athletic and Northampton Town.

Manager Paul Trollope said: “When he moved to Notts County earlier in the season it appeared that it would be a move that would give him regular football and give him the opportunity to be part of something big that was going on there.

“Obviously the circumstances changed and the deal they had agreed fell through and he found himself back at Wolves.

“We’ve had a number of injury issues in the full-back positions over the last few weeks and we are pleased that we have been able to add him to the squad.”

Bristol City have signed striker Chris Iwelumo on a one-month emergency loan from Premier League side Wolves.

The 31-year-old Scotland international helped Wolves to promotion from the Championship last season after joining them from Charlton.

City boss Gary Johnson told the club’s website: “He will add vital experience to our strike-force and he’ll provide presence up top as well.

“We’ve managed to bring him here for a month initially.”

Iwelumo started his career with St Mirren before moving to Danish side Aarhus.

He has also had spells with Stoke and Colchester.

The striker went straight into Bristol City’s squad to face Sheffield United on Saturday.

Midfielder David Jones said he was proud of the quality of his goal during Wolves’ 1-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on Wednesday.

“I think it was a good team goal,” the 25-year-old told BBC WM.

“There were 18 or 19 passes before I finished it off so it was great to put it in the back of the net.”

Wolves’ fourth home victory in the Premier League this season lifted Mick McCarthy’s side out of the relegation zone and up to 15th in the table.

“We passed it around well, especially in the first half, and the goal demonstrated that,” added Jones. “We battled well and Tottenham didn’t have too many chances.

“We’ve got a great team spirit and there’s belief in the dressing room. It’s going to be tough for the rest of the season, but we’ve got the belief.”

It was Jones’ second goal in the top-flight, having scored in a 6-1 defeat for Derby at Chelsea during the Rams’ ill-fated campaign of 2007/08.

The former Manchester United trainee has had to be patient waiting for his chance after missing around two months of action after knee surgery.

“It’s been a difficult season, but it’s brilliant to be back training all the time,” said Jones. “I’ve probably been involved in the last six or seven games, but this is a massive boost for me and hopefully I can continue it.”

Wolves do not play again until 20 February, when Premier League leaders Chelsea are the visitors to Molineux.

Scotland international Christophe Berra, who has helped Wolves keep two clean sheets against Tottenham this season, said that the prospect of facing Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka should not scare the team.

“That’s why you want to play in this league, you want to play against the best players,” said centre-back Berra.

“They’re probably the best in the league and maybe the best in the world.

“But it’s not just about individuals, it’s about the whole team, and if we perform the same [as we did against Spurs] then we have a chance.

“We’ve had a hard schedule so I think the rest will do us good, and it’s great that we can go into it on the back of a win. It means we can enjoy it more, we can be positive, come back fresh and prepare for the Chelsea game.”

Danny Butterfield scored a six-minute hat-trick as cash-strapped Crystal Palace clinched a fine win over Wolves in their FA Cup fourth-round replay.

Championship side Palace, who recently entered administration, dominated their Premier League opponents throughout.

Butterfield nodded the opener on 62 minutes, slotted his second after 65 and lashed home a third on 68.

A late Karl Henry strike could not stop Palace from setting up a home tie with Aston Villa in the fifth round.

The result was no less than Palace deserved after a magnificent performance, and it could hardly have provided the Selhurst Park club with a more welcome boost.

Palace will earn 90,000 for the win and 72,000 because the replay was transmitted live on television. They will receive a further 247,500 when the Villa game is screened live on 14 February.

Their final-whistle celebrations were easy to understand but, while the home crowd serenaded the whole team, much attention will focus on the heroics of Butterfield.

The 30-year-old is a full-back by trade but has been deployed in wide and attacking positions in recent weeks because of Palace boss Neil Warnock’s lack of numbers.

He had scored seven goals in his previous 252 appearances for Palace and his most recent strike came as far back as 26 December 2008.

But he took all three goals with aplomb and his contribution was all the more timely given the sale of striker Victor Moses to Wigan on Monday.

Much of the attention coming into the match focused on how Palace would adapt to life without Moses – and they responded with an emphatic answer.

Fresh from their morale-boosting victory over Peterborough on Saturday and cheered on heartily by their loyal home fans, Palace made a ferocious start and immediately had Wolves on the ropes.

It took a vital header from Ronald Zuber to deny Alan Lee from heading in at the back post, Darren Ambrose curled over from Nathaniel Clyne’s centre and Butterfield narrowly failed to connect with an Ambrose cross.

Ambrose was dictating the game’s tempo but Nick Carle was equally impressive in midfield and he saw a fierce shot blocked by Michael Mancienne before drilling a low effort inches wide of Wayne Hennessey’s left-hand post.

Despite naming a strong starting XI, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy would have been disappointed by the display of loan signing Geoffrey Mujangi Bia and strike partner Sam Vokes.

It was no surprise to see the pair replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo on 58 minutes but, rather than perk his side into life, the changes merely seemed to galvanise Palace.

Ambrose had already tested Hennessey with a free-kick and put another set-piece wide before sending in a corner that found its way to Butterfield, who made no mistake in heading home.

Wolves appeared stunned but before they could even think about getting themselves back on level terms their deficit had been doubled.

The robust, tireless and bloodied Lee flicked on a long ball forward from Palace keeper Julian Speroni and Ambrose cushioned it across for Butterfield to hold off Richard Stearman and squeeze a right-footed effort underneath Hennessy.

Moments later, Lee flicked on another huge kick from Speroni and Butterfield ghosted past a number of Wolves defenders to half-volley a left-footed drive into the net and complete a ‘perfect hat-trick’.

There was still time for Henry to fire a crisp left-footed consolation into the top corner but, 20 years on from their 1990 FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United, the night belonged to Palace.