FA Cup: Wolves 1 Crystal Palace 0 - Report

Lifting spirits following some tough results in the Premier League, Traore ended his goal drought – which had stretched back to last February – in sensational style.

His scorcher towards the end of the first half was a worthy winner, with Roy Hodgson's visitors offering very little.

A comfortable 1-0 victory on a bitterly cold night for Nuno Espirito Santo's charges, who will find out what awaits them in Monday night's draw.

Analysis

Wolves know full well the benefits of a prolonged run in this competition, and this was a solid performance.

They were given time and space to find their rhythm by the defensive-minded Palace in the first half, and Traore took advantage with an excellently-taken goal.

The second half was perhaps not quite at the level Nuno would have wanted, but it did not really matter given the flat outing from the away side.

Ultimately, Wolves are back to winning ways and made it through.

Traore, after doing well at Brighton, put in a showing like he did so often last season and utilised his immense traits to full effect.

The first signs of a real understanding between him and Nelson Semedo were shown, while Ruben Neves pulled the strings in midfield.

John Ruddy, Wolves' cup shot-stopper, kept a simple clean sheet and now has at least another clash to look forward to.

Fabio Silva missed a couple of massive opportunities and will be eager to put things right as soon as he can but, overall, a positive evening ahead of some crucial games back in the league.

Match report

Nuno outlined his aim to get as far as possible in the competition before the game – and that was reflected in his starting line-up.

Making just two changes to the side which drew 3-3 at Brighton, Ruddy came in between the sticks while Leander Dendoncker returned after a few weeks on the sidelines.

Rui Patricio and Vitinha were those to drop out while both Patrick Cutrone and Morgan Gibbs-White, having been recalled from loan spells at Fiorentina and Swansea respectively, were on the nine-man bench.

Looking to rebuild momentum after a difficult run of results in the league, Wolves dominated possession in the early stages of the tie as Palace sat off, similarly to how they did when Nuno's pack won 2-0 at Molineux a few months ago.

The intensity was lacking in those opening minutes but Pedro Neto soon quickened the pace and created a golden chance.

His cross from the left fell perfectly for Silva but, somehow, the club-record £35million signing guided the free header from close range well over the bar. Head in hands, the teenager knew he had missed a sitter.

That spurned opportunity was almost immediately punished as the Eagles raced up the other end. Fortunately, Eberechi Eze's first-time effort at the far post also went wayward.

From thereon, Wolves caused a few problems. Traore and Semedo were both driving forward down the right, with the former sweeping a left-footed attempt wide of the near post.

Semedo then strung the palms of Jack Butland from the edge of the area before Silva, desperate to atone for his miss, shot straight at the keeper on the turn. Still, the stern Palace – with plenty of men behind the ball – were not being stretched too much.

Wolves needed a moment of pure quality to take the lead, and Traore emphatically provided it.

The Spaniard opened his account for the season in remarkable fashion, chopping inside past Eze and thundering the ball into the roof of the net from 18 yards.

Butland was bewildered while the smiling Traore was congratulated by an equally-ecstatic Nuno on the touchline. Elation and relief for the winger.

He and Semedo had been the main threats in a solid half for the hosts – the Eagles spending a lot of it camped in. Neves was enjoying himself, too, picking out passes for fun amid little pressure in the middle of the park.

Palace, having brought Cheikhou Kouyate on for Mamadou Sakho, began the second period with a bit more vigour and intent.

Wolves, though, continued to have the best chances. Silva, again, had a free header but directed it wide.

Albeit not as straightforward as his earlier one, he was found by compatriot Neto once more and did not connect properly. Far more conviction needed from the former Porto youngster and a definite area to work on.

Frustrated by that, Silva sprinted back and proceeded to give away a free-kick in a dangerous position – thankfully for him, nothing coming from it.

The Eagles remained quiet, and the onus was on trying to get a second to put the match to bed. Wolves almost got it as Traore brilliantly got past Patrick van Aanholt and crossed it low to the onrushing Dendoncker, who was denied by a smart reaction save from Butland.

That proved to be Traore's last major action, being replaced by Gibbs-White, as he exited with cramp.

Palace, meanwhile, turned to star man Wilfried Zaha in search of a leveller to take it into extra time.

Things started to get scrappy, with both teams looking a little anxious as the clock ticked, and Wolves made their second change – Cutrone on for the disappointing Silva.

Ki-Jana Hoever also entered the fray, for Dendoncker, as Nuno's pack saw out a morale-boosting victory, sealing their place in the next round.

Teams

Wolves (4-3-3): Ruddy; Semedo, Coady, Saiss, Ait-Nouri; Neves, Dendoncker (Hoever, 85), Moutinho; Traore (Gibbs-White, 69), Silva (Cutrone, 78), Neto

Subs not used: Patricio (gk), Richards, Kilman, Otasowie, Vitinha, Corbeanu

Goal: Traore (35)

Palace (4-4-2): Butland; Clyne, Tomkins, Sakho (Kouyate, 46), van Aanholt; Ayew, Riedewald, McCarthy (Mitchell, 70), Eze; Benteke (Zaha, 70), Batshuayi (Townsend, 85)

Subs not used: Guaita (gk), Ward, McArthur, Milivojevic

Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)