Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Wolves: Ruben Neves 20-yard strike opens up seven point gap for Championship leaders as hosts finish with 10 men

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Seven points clear at the top but still Wolves can play better. That was clear in this narrow victory and manager Nuno Espírito Santo freely admitted as much. 

Is there any more ominous a sign that this team is heading to the Premier League? 

Wolves were aiming go seven points clear at the top after having a six match winning streak checked by a surprise goalless draw with Sunderland. Ruben Neves, with one flash of quality, edged the game to get Wolves back to winning ways.  

Ruben Neves' strike from distance secured a crucial win over Sheffield Wednesday for Wolves

Neves' first-half goal proved the difference in a nail-biter at Hillsborough on Friday night

The 1-0 victory ensured Wolves extended their lead at top of the Championship to seven points

Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves side are now unbeaten in their previous eight league games

Wednesday are way off target after two promotion near misses, now six matches without a win and fan pressure mounting on head coach Carlos Carvalhal. But his fellow Portuguese in charge of the Championship leaders acknowledged that Carvalhal had given him problems.

'It was very tough but I think it was a deserved win,' he said. 'And we can play better than that.' 

Carvalhal, serving a touchline ban, was forced to take a back seat amid speculation on whether this might be his last match as Wednesday manager but brushed off any threat to his job, saying: 'I'm proud of the players. We are missing nine players and I don't feel I have any reason to doubt my work.'

Owner Dejphon Chansiri has been unmoved by calls for his manager's head and soundings from those closest to the club suggest this was not a definitive fixture for the head coach.He has a genuinely strong relationship with Carvalhal.

Of Championship managers, only Ipswich's Mick McCarthy and Millwall's Neil Harris have served longer at their current clubs.

Certainly, there was no indication pre match that Chansiri would subject his manager to a one game demand to beat or even draw with the Championship leaders.  

Wednesday supporters protest the position of manager Carlos Carvalhal after the loss

Carvalhal's Wednesday are now six matches without a league win and sit 15th in the league

Wolves man Leo Bonatini strikes an early effort as the home defence closes him down

Ivan Cavaleiro holds off the incoming challenge of Wednesday defender Morgan Fox

Cavaleiro (top) is hit hard by the challenge of Wednesday mifielder Jacob Butterfield

England Under 17 World Cup winner Morgan Gibbs-White watches on from the bench

That said, fan pressure could ultimately force the issue. Five games without a win, allied to a frustratingly cautious and predictable approach, had pushed the Owls owner into having to resist calls for his manager’s head. 

Wednesday settled well and should have scored when Adam Reach volleyed wide from 12 yards. They were playing without keeper Keiren Westwood and key midfielder Barry Bannan, new additions to a long casualty list.

Wolves had little patches of promise without penetrating until Wednesday failed to clear a free-kick and Ruben Neves stroked a fine 20 yard shot on the run into the bottom corner. 

Despite Wednesday bossing possession, Romain Saiss and Leo Bonatini both came close with chances. Morgan Fox was sent off for a second yellow card to leave Wednesday chasing a point with ten men.  

Santo delivers tactics to forward Diogo Jota as Wolves attempt to shut their hosts out

Cavaleiro comes close to sealing the result but his strike flies narrowly wide

Fox leaves the Hillsborough pitch after being sent off less than five minutes before full time

Wolves boss Santos celebrates the victory with Jota as they continue their push for promotion