Wolves 2 Sunderland 1: O’Neill under no illusions as Fletcher hits late double

Kieran Richardson looked to have given the perfect tonic to the watching O’Neill, who will officially take charge today, with a stunning opener early in the second period.

But then Sebastian Larsson saw a contentious penalty saved by Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey before two goals in quick succession from Steven Fletcher saw Wolves gain a vital win.

It moved them four points clear of the bottom three in the Barclays Premier League with only their second victory in 12 games.

When McCarthy was asked if he had any advice for O’Neill, the former Sunderland boss said: “No, I’m just glad I’ve made his job harder for Monday morning.

“I’m thrilled that’s he’s got a harder job than it looked like for however many minutes here.

“Martin is a pal of mine but I didn’t want to do him any favours.

“I don’t do advice; I’d take some off him if he wants to give it!”

Fletcher has now scored 10 times in his last 15 Premier League appearances for Wolves, and McCarthy said: “When he’s been fit, he’s been terrific. That’s why I signed him.

“When he’s had injuries, they’ve been impact injuries, something he can’t help. Keep him fit and he’s a very good player.

“When he’s been fit, he’s been prolific for us.”

Replays appeared to show there was minimal – if any – contact from Jody Craddock on Larsson when he went to ground for the penalty.

McCarthy said: “Jody insisted he didn’t touch him and apparently he didn’t. But, if it was a dive, then they got what they deserved and the penalty save certainly was a catalyst.

“The game turned on its head with that moment.”

Blacks Cats caretaker boss Eric Black believes O’Neill will revive Sunderland’s fortunes.

He said: “Martin will have seen the strengths that we have.

“I think he knows there are some good things to take forward.

“But I think he’ll also know that there are some problems. I’m sure he’ll start on Tuesday trying to rectify those problems.”

Black felt the penalty save by Hennessey was the pivotal moment of the game.

He said: “It’s been a disappointing afternoon.

“If the penalty had gone in, you’d like to think we’d have gone on and won the game.

“I thought that was the pivotal moment in the whole of the game. I don’t want to blame the person who took it because I think Seb Larsson has been outstanding this season. But the confidence and energy drained a little bit when it didn’t go in and the rest of the game became hard for us.

“They scored 40 seconds later and that didn’t even give us a chance to galvanise ourselves. That’s what happens in football. There are crucial turning points and that was the one today.”

Sunderland remain just a point above the relegation zone as their winless league run extended to five games.

The Black Cats were the first to settle and Stephane Sessegnon’s volley was clung on to by Hennessey after Jody Craddock had headed away a Larsson centre.

Wolves threatened for the first time when Jamie O’Hara’s volley ballooned up to Christophe Berra whose header was held on the line by Keiren Westwood.

The home side appealed in vain for a penalty after Lee Cattermole tugged at Dave Edwards’ shirt inside the box.

Hennessey went down to hold on to Larsson’s long-range attempt after a clearance from John O’Shea had dropped into his path.

Larsson made a vital tackle to halt the run of Stephen Hunt towards the Sunderland box.

It needed a superb save from Westwood to keep Sunderland on level terms after 39 minutes.

Matt Jarvis delivered a probing cross which found Hunt in space and his powerful close-range effort was parried by Westwood when a goal seemed inevitable.

Lee Cattermole became the first player to be yellow carded a minute late for a challenge on Kevin Doyle and will now have to serve a one-game ban for incurring five bookings this season.

Stephen Ward came to Wolves’ rescue three minutes before the interval when he cleared off the line from the impressive Sessegnon.

But after 53 minutes a superb strike from Richardson put Sunderland in front after a quickfire counter-attack.

Bendtner’s flick found Sessegnon in space and he released the overlapping Richardson whose rising shot flew past Hennessey inside the near post for his second goal of the season.

Richardson then showed his defensive qualities with a vital clearance from Ward’s low centre.

McCarthy then made a double change with Doyle and Hunt replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Adam Hamill.

Sunderland had the chance to double their lead when Craddock was adjudged to have brought down Larsson inside the box although replays suggested the initial contact may have been outside. But Hennessey kept Wolves hopes alive by saving Larsson’s low spot-kick away to his left.

It was a crucial save as within 30 seconds Fletcher had levelled for Wolves. Jarvis sent over a curling centre and Fletcher’s downward header beat Westwood.

Then Fletcher put Wolves ahead after 81 minutes when a cross from former Barnsley winger Hammill was manoeuvred by O’Hara to the former Scottish international whose low shot flew past Westwood.

Bendtner was booked for a trip on Edwards as Sunderland were unable to rescue the game.