Ever since Nuno Espírito Santo took charge of Wolves 14 months ago, there has been something serene about their constant progression. Last year’s Championship title was almost entirely stress-free and it would not be too much of a stretch to claim the same for this victory, a fourth in five Premier League matches. Wolves are ensconced in the top half of the table now, and they look comfortable there.

Wolves consistently play football of a high technical standard. They are comfortable in possession and lethal on the break. Matt Doherty’s decisive goal was consistent with the style, featuring a sweet switch of play and a swift one-two. But Nuno does not like to talk about that stuff too much. What he prefers to celebrate is the discipline of his team.

“I’m really pleased with how we played and got this result‚“ he said. “If we make a quick analysis, Crystal Palace started stronger and created problems, but after the moment we adjusted some details, we got much better. In the second half we were really good. Really good

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“Clean sheets are the beginning of everything,” he went on. “We did well and we won against a very good team, but it’s about the defensive organisation. Of course other teams will have chances, it’s impossible to avoid and that’s why the keeper is there to try and save it. But with a clean sheet you are always closer to winning a game.”

There was no quibbling with Nuno’s analysis. After weathering the opening 20 minutes, played out against a backdrop of howling rain, Wolves took command. They could and perhaps should have scored in the first half, with good chances for Raúl Jiménez and Diogo Jota.

After taking the lead, they returned to soaking up Palace pressure, but with a confidence that never looked misplaced. In João Moutinho and Rúben Neves, they had not only the best technical players, but a pair who worked like dogs to protect their back line.

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Roy Hodgson tried to throw a different spin on events, and he probably had to. He claimed that his team’s opening period amounted to domination and that in the first half they had “not only the best of the possession but the best of the game”. But the phrase that stuck out in the Palace manager’s remarks regarded a lack of clear cut chances. This reflected the fact that however willing Palace were in the opening period they were unable to break Wolves down.

Doherty’s goal came 10 minutes into the second half and started with a crunching tackle from Conor Coady that won possession. The ball ran to Neves, who did not need to look to know where the space was as he pushed the ball wide right to Doherty. The Irishman stood up to Patrick van Aanholt and then whipped the ball beyond him to Jiménez in the penalty area. The Mexican, with his back to goal, took a touch and played Doherty in again, his marker no longer on the scene. Falling to the ground, the wing-back hit a shot beyond Wayne Hennessey and into the net.

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Hodgson said the goal allowed Wolves to sit in, but it did not seem like the visitors changed their game plan much. They had been happy to soak up Palace pressure throughout. The greatest danger to them came from quick crosses and one such delivery created Palace’s best opportunity in the 68th minute. It was Andros Townsend who sent the ball over and it was only cleared as far as substitute Max Meyer who drove a sweet volley back at Rui Patrício. The keeper not only saved that effort but Jeffrey Schlupp’s bundled follow-up too.

Palace have now failed to score in their past four home games and there was a clear lack of goal threat here. Their reliance on Wilfried Zaha is well-established, but the talisman was quiet. Schlupp and André Ayew were more involved, but lacked the necessary quality at decisive moments. Hodgson must look at the options available to Nuno and feel a little envious. The Portuguese, meanwhile, must feel a semblance of contentment.