Wolves fight back to sink Blackburn

Posted Sunday, August 14, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Wolverhampton Wanderers got their Premier League campaign off to a flying start as they came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park here on Saturday.

Steven Fletcher cancelled out Mauro Formica's opener before Stephen Ward made it 2-1 moments after Kevin Doyle's penalty had been saved by Paul Robinson.

Blackburn only avoided relegation on the final day of last season, and it has been a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front for the club owned by Indian poultry giant Venky's.

While promising defender Phil Jones was sold to Manchester United, Serbian international midfielder Radosav Petrovic and Scotland striker David Goodwillie are the only notable signings so far, and neither was in the starting line-up here.

Summer recruits Roger Johnson and Jamie O'Hara started for Wolves, as did Kevin Doyle, who had been a pre-match injury doubt.

Blackburn thought they had scored the first goal of the new Premier League season inside the opening ten minutes, but the officials decided that Wolves 'keeper Wayne Hennessey had got to Junior Hoilett's shot just before it crossed the line.

However, the hosts made the breakthrough on 19 minutes as Formica burst into the box to apply a fine finish after being set up by Jason Roberts.

It was a dream Premier League debut for the Argentine, who was signed from Newell's Old Boys in January, but Wolves were back on level terms within 90 seconds thanks to Fletcher's header from a Matt Jarvis cross.

The sides went in level at the interval, but Mick McCarthy's side got off to a dream start to the second half.

First, they won a penalty after Jarvis was brought down by Michel Salgado, only for Paul Robinson to save Doyle's attempt from 12 yards.

However, from the rebound, Wolves returned the ball into the box where Ward was on hand to make it 2-1.

Home manager Steve Kean sent on Goodwillie and young striker Nick Blackman for their debuts as they pressed in search of an equaliser, but Wolves held on for an impressive three points.