Blackburn 3 Wolves 1 - Verdict

Wolves suffered their third Premier League defeat of the season as they crashed to Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Goals from El-Hadji Diouf on 19 minutes, former Albion and Wolves striker Jason Roberts on 56 with David Dunn 10 minutes later sentenced Mick McCarthy's side to a flattering setback.

Debutant Stefan Maierhofer provided a long highlight with an 88th minute consolation when he slammed into the roof of the net from Matt Jarvis's corner.

But it was a lacklustre performance from Wolves, only lifted by the half-time introduction of beat-the-deadline signing Maierhofer, whose 6ft 7ins presence caused panic in the Rovers defence whenever he got near the ball.

It could have been so different ,after Wolves wasted a golden chance to take the lead after just six minutes.

Christophe Berra, making his Premier League debut in place of injured captain Jody Craddock, rifled over from the edge of the six-yard box after keeper Paul Robinson fumbled Greg Halford's free kick.

The visitors were then pushed onto the back foot as Matt Hill – surprisingly given the nod ahead of George Elokobi for his Premier bow – just got to the ball ahead of Roberts.

Wolves wasted another opportunity when Andy Keogh missed his kick inside the area on the angle.

And they were made to pay for their wastefulness when Rovers took the lead after 19 minutes.

A poor pass from skipper Karl Henry left Michael Mancienne in all sorts of problems and the on-loan Chelsea defender gambled by sliding in on Diouf, who raced clear before slotting through Wayne Hennessey's legs.

Roberts then got away with an elbow offence on Hill before Berra had an effort disallowed for a push by Kevin Doyle on Chris Samba.

Blackburn then turned the screw and after Dunn was wide from 35 yards, Hennessey away an angled free kick from Morten Gamst Pedersen.

A volley from former Wolves midfielder Keith Andrews flew straight at Hennessey before the same player fired wide from 22 yards.

The half ended with Pedersen hitting the post with a free kick.

Maierhofer was off target with a swerving drive after Wolves started the second half with renewed purpose.

But it wasn't long before Rovers re-asserted their superiority with a second goal.

Roberts was belatedly credited with the goal after a header from Gael Givet – who ghosted past a static Michael Mancienne – hit his chest on the way into the net, the ball squirming in despite Hennessey getting two hands on it.

Dunn tapped home the third from a yard out after Roberts had a shot smothered by Hennessey following Pedersen's cross.

Although Doyle had a shot tipped over, it was all Rovers and Andrews had a curling free kick palmed away by Hennessey at full stretch after the keeper carried a cross outside his area.