Wolves end Man United's unbeaten start to season

Published Feb. 5, 2011 10:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The 41st goal of a record day for scoring in the English Premier League gave Wolverhampton Wanderers a 2-1 win that ended Manchester United's unbeaten start to the season.

United's name goes alongside Manchester City and Chelsea as title contenders who have lost at Molineux this season as Wolves bounced back from an early goal and repelled a fierce second-half pummeling.

By the final whistle, the Red Devils were reduced to desperate measures as Paul Scholes tried to push the ball into the net with his hand to salvage a point.

Wolves were able to celebrate thanks to George Elokobi's header and Kevin Doyle's close-range finish - both in the first half after Nani scored in the third minute for the league leader.

''Everyone dug in and we ended up winning,'' Elokobi said. ''We got beaten the other night, were bottom of the league and were very low. No one would have held out much hope tonight but to go 1-0 down early on and win shows the spirit we've got.''

Nenad Milijas had already narrowly failed with an effort before United went in front. Nani collected possession on the right flank and stepped inside and beat Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey at his near post with a fierce left-foot shot.

Hennessey saved from Wayne Rooney, and Wolves made the most of their reprieve.

With Rio Ferdinand injured in the warmup, United's defense failed to cut out a loose ball from a corner and Elokobi beat Nemanja Vidic to Matt Jarvis' cross and headed in.

The move that led to Doyle's 40th-minute winner started when Rooney lost the ball with his back to goal on the edge of Wolves' area. Wolves carried the ball up the middle of the pitch and won a free kick just outside United's box.

Milijas hit the free kick to the near post, where Doyle deflected it in.

''They are a handful at set-pieces and they proved that again today,'' United manager Alex Ferguson said. ''It was an opportunity for us to continue the great run we've been on.''