Classic report: Wolves put four past Liverpool on magical Molineux night

Wolves' magnificent eleven, superbly led by Emlyn Hughes, downed the League champions at Molineux with one of the best all-round performances they had produced for years.

Wolves smothered everything Liverpool could throw at them and countered brilliantly to beat the Merseysiders.

The astonishing scoreline was the Reds' heaviest defeat since being drubbed 5-1 by Villa three years prior.

One of Wolves' secrets of success was Norman Bell. Manager John Barnwell decided to opt for Bell's weight and power in the air instead of the delicate skills of Wayne Clarke in an effort to assist John Richards. And it worked like a charm.

A Hughes lob found Bell, who left Alan Hansen stranded, crossed and there was Mel Eves to stab the ball home.

Gradually, Liverpool took control but could not find a way through the ordered ranks until a minute before the break when Phil Neal hit a screaming 25-yard drive that flashed into the corner of the net for the equaliser.

It was natural to suppose Liverpool would take over, but they could do nothing right against the splendid play of the teenage backs, John Humphrey and Mick Hollifield, while Colin Brazier blocked the middle and refused to be drawn by the Liverpool tactics.

The counter from Wolves came with devastating speed and accuracy. The 61st minute saw Richards restore Wolves' lead with a picture-book header.

Just 12 minutes later, Bell scored a majestic goal. And Hughes saw his miscued effort trickle over the line to complete the rout.

For Hughes to score against his club put the seal on a Molineux night to remember.

Teams

Wolves: Bradshaw, Humphrey, Hollifield, Daniel, Brazier, Hughes, Hibbitt, Atkinson, Bell, Richards, Eves. Sub: Villazan.

Liverpool: Clemence, Neal, Cohen, Irwin, Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee (Case), Johnson, McDermott, Souness.

Referee: G Flint (Nottingham)

Attendance: 25,497.