John Ruddy
A couple of iffy moments from crosses in the first half and then he was bizarrely booked for time wasting just before half time (Ruddy said afterwards he wasn’t even given a customary warning by Stuart Attwell). Life the rest of the defence he ramped things up in the second half, commanding his box and producing an excellent save from Traore. 7/10
Ryan Bennett
Wolves are constantly noted for being big spenders but when they signed Ryan Bennett on a free transfer last summer (not to mention Ruddy on a free and Barry Douglas for one million smackers) they showed they can’t half pick a bargain too. What a signing he’s turned out to be. A model of consistency and he was exceptional here, throwing his body in the way of everything Middlesbrough fired into the Wolves box. Fancy playing right wing back on Tuesday though Ryan? 9/10
Conor Coady
The heartbeat of this Wolves team. The epitome of courage. Again he led by example with a Herculean effort, typified when he took a goalbound shot full in the chest in the 96th minute to seal this most frantic of victories. His celebrations at full time showed you exactly what it meant to him, as it does week after week. Coady guy is living and breathing this promotion race and leading Wolves over the line as if his name was Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of Nuno’s army. He will have his vengeance for being sold by Liverpool, in this life or the next.
Willy Boly
Rumour has it Donald Trump was on the blower at 7.30pm last night asking for Boly to be shipped to Mexico. The Wolves Wall was unbeatable yet again in a superb show of strength and dominance. Like Coady and Bennett he made a couple of brave and vital blocks. Never shirks a challenge or his responsibilities – and does everything with the utmost class. If he were to stay for a few seasons he would become a Wolves legend, of that there is little doubt.
Matt Doherty
Offered a great outlet at times in the first half and was involved in the opening goal when feeding Costa, with whom he’s struck up a good partnership in the past couple of games. Could have no complaints over his red card, which was foolish. He’ll be missed on Tuesday. 7/
Romain Saiss
Came into his own in the last half an hour after Neves’ red, providing a forcefield in front of the back line. Earned a customary booking when Wolves collectively lost their heads. It was his 10th of the season but he avoids suspension as the cut-off date passed earlier this month. Ran himself into the ground for his team, as the striking below picture shows. One of three players to return late from Africa and head straight into an extremely high intensity game. He did Wolves proud.
