As it happened: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-4 Burnley

The moment I've been wishing for for about an hour and a half as finally here, the TV is off and it's time to forget that ever happened.

Despite the performance, thank you for following today. 

I've been James Wynn, see you for the next one!

There's been some fierce competition, but that was the worst performance of Wolves' season. 

Burnley are all but safe after a brilliant win. 

A quite remarkable game at Molineux. 

FT | #WOL 0-4 #BUR

Defeat at Molineux. #WOLBUR

⏱🐺 pic.twitter.com/v4cHicCnlO

— Wolves (@Wolves) April 25, 2021

Three minutes are added on by referee England, which seems a bit unnecessary. 

Saiss gets the ball taken off him far too easily, and Rodriguez and Wood carry it forward.

It then falls back to Westwood who strikes it for the second time this afternoon, but while the first effort went miles wide, this one flies into the top corner. 

4-0 to Burnley. Surely no one saw this coming. 

Finally, Burnley make it four!

Chris Wood again! He turns Coady inside out, not for the first time today, and gets his shot away, but Patricio holds on low to his left. 

Only 7 minutes of normal time remaining. It can't go quickly enough. 

Nothing much is happening at Molineux.

Burnley are happy to sit on their three goal lead, while Wolves, as has so often bin the case this campaign, are carrying no goal threat. 

Another piece of play from Wolves does a good job of summing up their afternoon, as Adama Traore's cross sails over the bar. 

Nuno has finally played his hand and used all of his subs. 

Two youngsters in the form of Morgan Gibbs-White and Vitinha come on in place of Daniel Podence and Ruben Neves. 

Matt Lowton goes close!

The Burnley right-back drives through two challenges and fires from the edge of the box, but Patricio makes a brilliant save low to his right. 

The Portuguese then copes well with the resulting corner. He's probably the only man in a Wolves shirt who hasn't made a glaring mistake today. 

For the first time in a long time, Wolves make Nick Pope work. 

Traore's cross deflects off Taylor and wrong-foots Pope, but he recovers to push it round the post. 

It was quite fitting that it was completely unintentional, but nonetheless, they've gone close. 

Finally! Nelson Semedo is withdrawn for Fabio Silva. 

The ball falls to Ruben Neves from a free-kick at the far post, but he slices the ball into the South Bank. A visual representation of Wolves' day. 

The first seven minutes of the second half have lapsed, and absolutely nothing has changed. Burnley have Wolves on strings, and Nuno's side simply can't cope with them. 

The lack of changes from the Portuguese has been absolutely baffling. They are second best in every single aspect. 

As expected, it's disallowed.

Still 3-0, but you expect a legitimate fourth goal won't be far away. 

Matej Vydra is played through, rounds Patricio and scores, but unfortunately for Burnley it looks offside. 

VAR are checking, naturally. 

Vydra! Four!

Unfortunately for those of a gold and black persuasion, the second half has started.

Remarkably, Nuno hasn't seen fit to make a change. Genuinely baffling. 

It's hard to come up with any more phrases to describe how bad that half was for Wolves. Another huge low point in a season that has been full of them. 

Take nothing away from Burnley, however. They've not had to work hard for their goals, but Wood has taken his hat-trick well and Sean Dyche's side have had complete control of the game. 

Wolves need to show some fight in the second half, something that was completely absent from their performance in the first.

Wow. 

HT | #WOL 0-3 #BUR

Three down at the break. #WOLBUR

⏱⚽️ pic.twitter.com/M3WiPCbR1l

— Wolves (@Wolves) April 25, 2021

Chris Wood was heavily linked with Wolves in 2014. If only he'd have made the move to prevent this happening. 

It's been an awful half from Wolves, who find themselves 3-0 down at home for the second time in three games.

The goal itself was simple, another corner causes carnage and it's an easy header for Wood at the far post to take the match ball. 

Absolutely shameful from Nuno and his side. 

It's that man again! Chris Wood hat-trick!

Another yellow card as Lowton is booked for a foul on Traore. 

It should be noted that the Spaniard was booked for the handbags with Cork, which the TV cameras didn't pick up. 

Traore's push on Cork's chin is not deemed worthy of a red card by Michael Oliver at Stockley Park. Probably the right decision.

Tarkowski is booked for his initial reaction to Podence's tumble. 

Podence goes down in the box as Wolves attack. As play comes to an end, James Tarkowski pushes Podence as he's on the floor which sparks a few handbags. 

VAR is checking for a red card on Adama Traore. 

Matej Vydra is given the freedom of Wolverhampton on the left flank, he beats Boly with ease but Patricio comes to Wolves' rescue. 

From a Wolves point of view, this is painfully bad. 

It really should've been three.

Charlie Taylor's brilliant cross finds Vydra six yards out, but he's stretched too far and can't connect properly and the ball flies over. 

Awful from Wolves, but Burnley are playing some nice stuff. 

Even more Burnley pressure leads to James Tarkowski being found from a corner, but he heads wide at the far post.

If it isn't already, this is in danger of becoming embarrassing for the hosts. Something has to change. 

The defending is awful, but Wood won't mind! He has another against Wolves!

Traore's attempted pass to Semedo is woefully short and Dwight McNeil capitalises on it. He then squares to Wood, who simply can't miss. 

Wolves have defended horrendously and deserve to be two down, but Burnley don't care. They will surely be all but safe by 2pm. 

Wood again! 

Chris Wood scores against Wolves yet again. A long ball down the channels goes over Boly who should do better, Chris Wood then finds half a yard against Coady and fires Burnley one up.

Just moments before Vydra had a chance after another Boly mistake, but the Ivorian's sliding tackle was immense to deny the Czech international.

It was all for nothing though, Burnley lead at Molineux. 

Chris Wood fires Burnley ahead!

Best chance of the game so far comes to Daniel Podence, whose shot on the edge of the area is deflected just wide of Pope's post. 

The resulting corner comes to nothing. 

A seemingly threatening Burnley move is pulled back to Ashley Westwood on the edge of the box, but he fires a long way wide. 

Nick Pope is forced into a save by Daniel Podence, whose strike from the right-hand side of the area is stopped easily. 

A nice one to deal with for Pope after two games out with a shoulder problem. 

An early Wolves counter ends in a couple of shots from Jose and Traore being blocked by the Burnley backline. 

A surprisingly open first couple of minutes at Molineux. 

Darren England blows his whistle and we're underway at Molineux.

Given the reception Lee Mason got from Nuno after the last time these teams met, he'll be hoping for a quiet game. 

The teams are out of the tunnel at Molineux and kick-off is just moments away. 

All three results are certainly possible, so it should be an interesting game. 

Kick-off is just 10 minutes away at Molineux.

Can Wolves make it three straight wins ahead of next week's derby, or will Burnley pick up the win that should all but guarantee their safety? 

Well, as if we needed it, the team news is confirmation this game probably won't be a classic. 

Wolves' 3-4-3 usually makes them hard to beat, but attacking output is at a minimum, which makes this seem a strange approach for a team with nothing to play for.

One positive from the team sheet comes in the form of Ruben Neves, who returns from isolation to replace Joao Moutinho, who has suffered an ankle injury. 

Burnley will be happy to see the return of Nick Pope in goal, with Matej Vydra partnering Chris Wood up front as they return to a 4-4-2 formation. 

Two changes for Sean Dyche. Nick Pope is fit enough to start, while Matej Vydra comes in for Johann Gudmundsson. 

Former Wolves keeper Will Norris is on the bench. 

LINE-UP | Here is how the Clarets line-up to face Wolves this afternoon at Molineux. ⬇️

Matej Vydra partners Chris Wood upfront, with Ashley Barnes returning to the bench. 💪#WOLBUR | #UTC | @eToro

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 25, 2021

One change for Wolves, as Ruben Neves has recovered from COVID-19 in time to start in place of Joao Moutinho: 

Here's how Wolves line-up for this afternoon's @premierleague fixture against @BurnleyOfficial. #WOLBUR

🐺📋 pic.twitter.com/pAxXWDEfT2

— Wolves (@Wolves) April 25, 2021

Just under 10 minutes until team news reaches us from Molineux. 

For Wolves, it would be a pleasant surprise to see them line up in the 4-2-3-1 formation they're widely expected to start next season in, with a couple of youngsters in the starting XI. Will that happen? Probably not. 

The big question for Burnley is whether Nick Pope is fit to start between the sticks, with deputy Bailey Peacock-Farrell conceding five goals in his two games. 

The sides last met in December, with goals from Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood gave the Clarets three points. Fabio Silva's first Premier League goal came from the penalty spot, but it was in vain as Wolves' lacklustre performance earned them the defeat they deserved.

Burnley haven't played at Molineux in nearly two years, when Ashley Barnes' superb early volley was cancelled out by another late Wolves penalty, this time scored by Raul Jimenez, as the sides drew 1-1. 

If you want to watch the game on TV, it will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer. 

If you want to follow online, VAVEL is your best option!

"They have brought in a few players, but they have lost some very good individuals, they're a good outfit and we all know that, they've made good progress."

"You have to attempt to control your own situation and the best way of doing that is wins, draws and getting points on the board."

"We never lack positivity or a good feeling, It is enhanced with winning of course, but we are never short of spirit within the group."

 

PRESS | Sean Dyche speaks on how football fans’ across the country stood up to the ill-fated Super League. 💬

Watch what the gaffer had to say 👉 https://t.co/DQ6CxyvWQ0#WOLBUR | #UTC pic.twitter.com/ng4ko7B0kr

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 23, 2021

“It’s important to play good, to perform, and improve our game against Burnley. This is what we focus on.

“Until the end of the season we have a lot of matches to play and a lot of time when we can take advantage of the situation to try and improve and build a foundation. First, it’s Burnley, let’s totally focus on how we want to approach the game.

“They are a good squad, a good team that creates problems not only to us, but all the teams because their approach of the game is intense, they play good football, they have a good manager and good players.

🐺💬

— Wolves (@Wolves) April 23, 2021

Nick Pope should be fit to return in goal for Dyche's side, after the England keeper missed the games against Newcastle and Manchester United with a shoulder injury. 

However, Ashley Barnes, who scored against Wolves in December, will miss the game through a thigh injury that has kept him out for over two months. 

Irishmen Robbie Brady and Kevin Long are also out. 

Nuno is sweating over the fitness of Ruben Neves, whose period of self-isolation ended on Friday. The Portuguese has been keeping himself ticking over by playing with his son in his back garden as he revealed on Instagram this week, but obviously hasn't been involved in training since the win over Fulham. 

Aside from Neves, Pedro Neto, Jonny, Raul Jimenez and Marcal will all miss out with long-term injuries. 

Theo Corbeanu and Owen Otasowie should keep their place on the bench, and will hope to see some action should the game be secure for Wolves late on. 

While Burnley are sitting six points ahead of the dreaded dotted line with a game in hand over 18th place Fulham, their players won't be on the beach just yet. 

Three straight defeats against Southampton, Newcastle and Manchester United, with Burnley taking the lead in two of those, will have given Sean Dyche some headaches going into Sunday's game. 

One thing that will make him feel better is his record against Wolves as Burnley manager. The Clarets have only lost once in nine matches to Wanderers with Dyche at the helm, including a 2-0 victory in his very first game in charge of Burnley in November 2012.

After two consecutive gritty wins against struggling opposition, Wolves have risen above the magic 40 point mark and need one more win to guarantee a record fourth straight Premier League season next campaign. 

Willian Jose's first Wanderers goal was enough to give Nuno Espirito Santo's side three points against Sheffield United last time out, which gave Wolves six points from six following Adama Traore's late winner at Fulham a fortnight ago. 

With nothing left to play for in this turbulent season for Wanderers, fans will be hoping to see some free-flowing football and young prospects in the remaining weeks of the season. 

Although we're glad to have your company this afternoon, this game should really carry a PG warning.

The Premier League's third and fifth-lowest scorers go head to head at Molineux, with Wolves and Burnley finding the net just 58 times in their 64 league matches so far this campaign. The top three have matched or exceeded that total on their own. 

Despite that, this season's meeting of the sides at Turf Moor saw a whopping (by their standards, at least) three goals, with the Clarets emerging 2-1 victors just before Christmas. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Burnley will be played at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, England. 

Kick off is at 12:00 GMT on Sunday, April 25. 

Welcome to VAVEL UK's LIVE coverage of the 2020/21 Premier League match: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Burnley!

My name is James Wynn and I'll be your host for this game.

We will provide you with pre-match analysis, squad updates and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.com.