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Carabao Cup: Clinical Wolves score three in Port Vale win Read Liam Keen’s match report from Molineux. A clinical first half performance saw Wolves breeze past Port Vale to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup. Some dodgy defending could have made it a harder night for the hosts as the League Two visitors missed chances, before Wolves found their rhythm in attack. Adam Armstrong broke the deadlock with a smart finish to settle the nerves, before swift finishes from Andre and Fer Lopez rounded off a strong opening 45 minutes from an attacking perspective for Cesar Peixoto’s side. Dan Bentley saved a penalty early in the second half to maintain the clean sheet, as Wolves cruised to the next round. Analysis Wolves made a slow start to the game and were sloppy in possession in the opening five minutes. They were almost made to pay for their start as a free-kick caused a scramble in the box and the ball fell for Jaheim Headley, who hit the crossbar with his effort. The same player then dragged another shot wide shortly after, as Wolves failed to clear their lines. It was certainly not a convincing start to the match, but Wolves managed to take the lead after 14 minutes. The ball was worked to Mateus Mane on the left flank, who had his marker isolated one-against-one and he went to the byline before crossing low. A Vale defender got a touch but it fell to Armstrong, who turned and finished instinctively. The goal had given Wolves some renewed confidence and they were playing the ball around much more comfortably, and could have scored a swift second. Marshall Munetsi pounced on a loose ball and found Lopez, who threaded a lovely pass for Armstrong. His excellent first touch created space and a shooting opportunity, but it flashed inches wide of the post. Despite Wolves recovering from a sloppy start, Vale had their biggest chance yet when Mo Faal nodded down for Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel, who somehow managed to hook his effort wide from just four yards out. Wolves managed to create some daylight 10 minutes before the break, as Andre headed home a second. A short corner was eventually whipped in by Kieran Trippier and Yerson Mosquera’s excellent far post header back across goal gave Andre a simple finish from close range. Wolves added a second before half-time with a beautiful team move. It started with Andre’s sublime cross-field pass for Rodrigo Gomes, who charged forward and found Lopez. He let the ball run across his body before taking a touch and rolling it into the bottom corner, to put Wolves firmly in control at the break. The hosts started the second half well and came close to a fourth when Lopez played a quick and short corner to Trippier, who crossed for Mosquera, who headed just wide. Port Vale then had a huge opportunity when a penalty was given against Mosquera for a clip on Faal as the striker ran across him. Replays seemed to show it was a very harsh decision on Wolves, but justice was served when goalkeeper Bentley saved Faal’s penalty with his feet. After 70 minutes, Raul Jimenez was given a hero’s welcome as he stepped off the bench to a huge atmosphere at Molineux. Wolves hardly got out of first gear as they cruised in the remaining stages of the match, although they would have had chances to score if it was not for the offside flag denying them. Jimenez did come close with a shot from distance, as the crowd begged for it to go in, but his effort was palmed away. After four minutes of added time, Wolves were untroubled and booked their place in the next round. Key Moments GOAL 14 Armstrong tucks away for the hosts GOAL 34 Andre heads home a second for Wolves GOAL 43 Lopez finishes off a great team move to make it 3-0 Teams Wolves: Bentley, Trippier, Mosquera (Krejci, 84), Toti (Djiga, 70), H.Bueno, Andre, Munetsi (Doyle, 66), R.Gomes (Tchatchoua, 84), Lopez, Mane (Jimenez, 70), Armstrong. Subs not used: Sa, Lima, Abbey, Chirewa. Port Vale: Smith, Montsma, Humphreys, Gordon, Lawrence-Gabriel (John, 70), Walters, Byers (Croasdale, 78), Headley (Hernandez, 60), Hall (Waine, 78), Dempsey, Faal (Lynch, 70). Subs not used: Terry, Hall, Bussel, Simpson.