Blackburn 0 Wolves 1 - analysis and pictures

Not just because they beat the Championship side estimated to have the biggest budget, though that in itself was a commendable feat. But to do it without 11 first-team players, four of which were taken from manager Stale Solbakken's selection plans in the 36 hours before the game, told us as much as the 90 minutes did at Ewood Park.

No wonder Solbakken celebrated so heartily at the end, his double clenched-fist salute and wide, open-mouthed grin conveying all his emotion.

Razak Boukari, Slawomir Peszko and Stephen Hunt, plus long-term casualties Wayne Hennessey, Steven Mouyokolo, Jamie O'Hara and George Elokobi were out, while Kevin Doyle (injured) and Bjorn Sigurdarson (ill) were missing and Dave Edwards and Dorus De Vries absent as their respective partners gave birth.

And yet Wolves won fairly comfortably to make it five wins in six league games. A third successive away victory and a third clean sheet – the first time those feats have been achieved since March 2009 – tells us only part of the story.

To fully appreciate how Wolves are controlling games, it's worth noting how strong a central defensive unit Roger Johnson and Christophe Berra are becoming. Both had their struggles in the Premier League, but they are looking dependable rocks in the Championship with a fourth shut-out in five games.

Just as they have done in most matches this season, the pair headed away everything in their paths and put their foot in to block any danger that came their way.

Slowly but surely, the 'Solbakken way' is bearing fruit, and no longer are Wolves being exposed at the back as the manager's preference for zonal marking means players are staying in position and the team is more compact.

It ensured another quiet afternoon for Carl Ikeme, but if the keeper had little to do, it was the far busier performance of one of those in front of him that deserves a special mention.

Kevin Foley played the first 53 minutes wide on the right before spending eight minutes at right-back and then reverted to central midfield for the rest of the game.

And wherever he popped up, he displayed the same unruffled composure, calmness and clever thought to his play.

It was a superb performance, only topped by Bakary Sako, who was the matchwinner again, not least for another brilliant goal 12 minutes from time, his fourth since joining the club.

Sako's blockbuster from the edge of the box rocketed into the top corner after he cut in from the right and dummied his man. And if Sako's first Championship strike from open play was the highlight, there were more attempts from the depleted visitors, who bossed chances and possession to merit their win.

Doumbia, who played as an advanced midfielder behind lone striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, had former England keeper Paul Robinson diving to his left to hold a smart turn and shot after five minutes following a clever pass from Ebanks-Blake.

The recalled David Davis was next to try his luck with a rising drive that flew a foot over. Then came the moment that could have turned the game against Wolves in the 17th minute when Richard Stearman appeared to shove Jordan Rhodes to the ground as both chased a long ball.

Referee Nigel Miller took a long look but waved play on. It was the third game in a row in which Wolves have received the benefit of the doubt on a penalty call after enjoying similar good fortune against Sheffield Wednesday and in the home defeat by Crystal Palace.

Wolves quickly recovered their composure and Ebanks-Blake should have handed the visitors the lead two minutes later but he could only head against the post from Foley's cross.

Solbakken's side controlled possession for long periods, forcing Rovers' biggest crowd of the season to boo before Blackburn's only real chance of the half when Ikeme came out superbly to smother from Rhodes after some untidy defending from Stearman and Berra.

Rovers enjoyed their best spell in the 15 minutes after the interval. But their only chances came when one-time Wolves target Scott Dann headed straight at Ikeme from a corner, while Colin Kazim-Richards did the same from a good position.

At the other end, Sako was gradually finding his range, and, after firing over from 30 yards then seeing a shot blocked by Bradley Orr, he delivered the winner with stunning accuracy.

Rovers pushed for an equaliser but they never threatened and Wolves should have doubled their lead at the death when substitute Anthony Forde was put clean through by Sako, only to curl inches wide.

It was another test passed and it all adds up to a fine start as they signed off for the international break.

By Tim Nash