London (AFP) – Wolves scraped into the FA Cup fifth round as Vitinha’s sublime strike sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win against non-league Chorley on Friday.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were fortunate to avoid an embarrassing upset after a lacklustre display at Victory Park.
Vitinha’s brilliant long-range drive put Wolves ahead early in the first half.
But sixth tier Chorley, the last non-league club standing in this season’s competition, pushed Wolves all the way and could easily have forced extra-time.
Wolves keeper John Ruddy had to make several good saves before they secured a last 16 tie against Southampton or Arsenal.
Victory Park, Chorley
Perhaps buoyed by their opponents’ suspect recent form – having failed to win any of their last six Premier League games – or the fact they beat Wolves 3-0 when the sides last met, in the FA Cup first round back in 1986, the Magpies produced a soaring display at Victory Park.
They would have fully deserved an equaliser, and came closest to snatching one when Andy Halls’ header was acrobatically tipped over the bar with 30 minutes remaining, but Vitinha’s world-class piledriver from 35 yards ultimately proved just enough for the visitors.
In an archetypal David-versus-Goliath Emirates FA Cup tie, Chorley’s part-time side included captain Scott Leather booking the day off from his job as a lift engineer to focus on the match and manager Jamie Vermiglio momentarily taking a break from his duties as a primary school headteacher.
Chorley had started positively. In 1986 they stunned a then Fourth Division Wolves in a first-round replay and they may have harboured hopes of an even greater upset as they tried to take the game to the visitors.
Harry Cardwell set off on a charge down the right inside the first minute to tee up Elliot Newby, but Ruddy comfortably dealt with his shot.
Wolves soon settled and, although Chorley were quick and strong into the challenges, looked comfortable on the ball.
Coady created an early opening with a long ball from deep which led to Patrick Cutrone having a shot blocked.
Updated / Friday, 22 Jan 2021
22:05
Vitinha is at Wolves on a season-long loan from Porto
A stunning strike from Vitinha proved the only difference as Wolves edged out non-League Chorley and reached the FA Cup fifth round.
The Portuguese youngster netted with a powerful, swerving long-range effort after just 12 minutes of a hard-fought tie at Victory Park.
But the Premier League side failed to convert their obvious superiority into further goals as the National League North part-timers made life uncomfortable.
Defender Andy Halls went close to claiming an equaliser with a header that was tipped over the bar by John Ruddy.
The Magpies pushed until the end but Wolves held out without major alarm to book a date with Southampton or Arsenal.