Wolves 2 Crystal Palace 0 - Report and pictures

Nuno Espirito Santo's side's fast-paced and much-improved play in the final third saw Ait-Nouri break the deadlock and Podence slot home within a dazzling opening half-hour.

Roy Hodgson's lot may have counted themselves unlucky as they saw a goal ruled out for offside, a penalty chalked off and Luka Milivojevic sent off late on.

Ultimately, though, it was deserved victory for Wolves, moving them up to third after seven Premier League games.

Analysis

The best football we have seen so far this term – no doubt about it.

Yes, you could argue they had a bit of luck on their side, but the speed with which Wolves moved the ball was great to watch.

Ait-Nouri, on his maiden top-flight appearance, put in a very accomplished display and found the net with such conviction.

Podence, at long last, got the goal which his overall play so far this season has warranted.

Pedro Neto was excellent, Nelson Semedo looked the most confident he has yet in a gold and black shirt, Ruben Neves stroked it about – so many positives for Nuno to take from it.

They could have and maybe should have got more, but this was a top-drawer display. Nuno will be very pleased.

Match report

The big piece of team news was Ait-Nouri – snapped up on loan from French club Angers in the summer with a £20million permanent option – making his Wolves bow.

He started at left-wing-back, with him for Romain Saiss being the only change from the side which drew 1-1 with Newcastle last Monday. Fernando Marcal, meanwhile, did not make the squad because of a slight knock.

Tasked with marking experienced operator Andros Townsend, it was set up to be a tough test for debutant Ait-Nouri, but the 19-year-old made a thoroughly-encouraging start – surging forward while also being efficient with the ball.

And Wolves, on the whole, began brightly. Podence had a curler tipped over by Vicente Guaita just after crossing to Leander Dendoncker, whose header rolled a few yards wide.

Then, from a corner won by Ait-Nouri, Willy Boly was presented with a golden opportunity to take the lead. Neto's delivery fell right onto the head of the centre-half but, having lost his marker completely, he failed to connect properly.

You wondered if Nuno's men would be left to rue that miss, and they were almost immediately punished. Patrick Van Aanholt found space on the overlap and drilled it across goal for Michy Batshuayi to finish – thankfully, the offside flag being raised.

Heeding that warning, Wolves delightfully went back up the other end and opened the scoring courtesy of a brilliant finish from Ait-Nouri.

Podence's cross to the far post was met perfectly by the teenager – his powerful left-footed effort leaving Guaita helpless and nestling in the far corner.

The free-flowing football was re-emerging at long last and, soon after, Nuno's pack were two up.

Semedo whistled one wide and Dendoncker rattled the woodwork from long range before Podence opened his account for the campaign.

It was like clockwork in attack as Raul Jimenez fed Neto, whose inviting low cross was tucked away from close range by his compatriot. Wolves were truly on song.

Palace, though, did provide another scare on the eve of Halloween. Boly was initially deemed to have tripped Van Aanholt for a penalty before a VAR review found the Dutchman was offside in the build-up.

A reminder that Wolves were not home and hosed but, all things considered, a superb first half and far better than anything seen in the previous six games this season.

They remained positive in the opening moments of the second period, too, as Neves sprayed the ball about quickly and accurately.

He tried his luck from trademark range but saw his attempt sail narrowly off target.

The Eagles, still, were having their moments. Wilfried Zaha appealed for a spot-kick after a sliding challenge from Ait-Nouri, but after a weird break in play, his calls were ignored.

Milivojevic also had a free-kick end up not far over the bar – the visitors were not down and out by any means.

A third would have eased the nerves and Wolves had the chances to get it. Dendoncker saw a volley go wayward after another beautiful cross from Neto, Podence dragged a shot past the near post and Jimenez put one straight at Guaita.

Neves saw a wonderful ball into the box just evade both Jimenez and Max Kilman, too, while substitute Adama Traore stung the palms of the Palace keeper.

Ultimately though, two goals were enough for the three points against the Eagles, who ended with 10 men after Milivojevic caught Joao Moutinho on the follow-through.

A top night's work from Nuno's men, who were much more easy on the eye.

Teams

Wolves (3-4-3): Patricio; Boly, Coady, Kilman; Semedo, Neves, Dendoncker, Ait-Nouri; Neto (Moutinho, 75), Jimenez (Silva, 90), Podence (Traore, 75)

Subs not used: Ruddy (gk), Hoever, Saiss, Otasowie

Goals: Ait-Nouri (18), Podence (27)

Palace (4-4-2): Guaita; Clyne, Dann, Kouyate, Van Aanholt; Townsend (Ayew, 72), Riedewald, Milivojevic, Schlupp (Eze, 65); Batshuayi (Benteke, 83), Zaha

Subs not used: Henderson (gk), Kelly, Sakho, McArthur

Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)