Ruben Neves’ second-half penalty gave manager-less Wolverhampton Wanderers a narrow win over Nottingham Forest in a drab and uninspiring game.
It was a match of few chances, with Wolves dominating possession and looking comfortable but unable to penetrate a resolute Forest defence.
Many of the hosts’ attacks came via Adama Traore, who tied the Forest defence in knots on numerous occasions but was unable to deliver the killer pass to create a chance for a teammate.
But the game finally turned in Wolves’ favour just shy of the hour mark, when Harry Toffolo was judged to have handled the ball inside his own penalty area after a lengthy VAR check.
Captain Ruben Neves stepped up to convert the penalty for his second goal of the season, despite the best efforts of on-loan Forest keeper Dean Henderson.
Forest had a golden opportunity to get back into the game with their own penalty after Matheus Nunes brought down Ryan Yates, only for Brennan Johnson to see his spot kick saved by Jose Sa.
Yates could have put Forest level in the dying embers of the game when Steve Cook flicked a header back across goal, but headed over when it seemed easier to score.
The narrow win lifts Wolves out of the relegation zone, taking them above Southampton who drop down to 18th.
Meanwhile, Forest languish at the bottom of the Premier League table, level on points with struggling Leicester City but with worse goal difference.
