Wolverhampton Wanderers recorded their third victory in a row in the Championship as a 26th-minute strike from Bakary Sako was enough to hand them a 1-0 win against 10-man Cardiff City.
The home side had the first opportunity of the game as Eoin Doyle found space in the box, but his strike was well blocked Danny Batth.
Cardiff were dominating possession, but struggled to turn their control of the match into chances, and they were made to pay by Kenny Jackett's men as they took the lead through Sako.
The prolific winger converted with a left-footed strike from Rajiv van la Parra's cross from the right on 26 minutes.
Wolves began to take control of the game as Benik Afobe caused problems in the final third, but the Bluebirds were resolute at the back to keep the visitors' lead at until the whistle.
In the second half, the visitors pressed to get a second goal when Sako lifted a cross into the box from a free kick, but Afobe failed to guide the ball into the net from close range as he stretched to make contact with the ball.
Life became much tougher for the Bluebirds when they were reduced to 10 men. Peter Whittingham was sent off for his second bookable offence for a poor challenge on Matt Doherty.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Cardiff threatened when Aron Gunnarsson raided down the flank and crossed into the box for the run of Kenwyne Jones, who could only guide his header over the bar.
The home side upped the ante late on as they pushed for an equaliser, but they could not find a way through the backline of Jackett's men as the visitors continued their surge up the table.
Simon Sinclair
