Relief for McCarthy as Wolves survive

Mick McCarthy went through the full range of emotions on the English Premier League’s last day, with his Wolves team surviving by one point.

Hosts Wolves trailed 3-0 to fellow relegation candidates Blackburn by half-time at Molineux.

Goals from Jamie O’Hara and Stephen Hunt then saw Wolves reduce the arrears to 3-2.

Although they still lost, Birmingham’s defeat at Tottenham meant McCarthy’s side narrowly escaped.

“We were in it, then we were out of it,” McCarthy said.

“We were up and then we were down.”

“I was getting messages every couple of minutes on bits of paper.”

“Some had swear words on, others said happy days. I said all along that it would come down to May 22 and it might even be goal difference or goals scored.”

“I do not even know the exact outcome now. All I knew at the end of the game was that we had stayed up.”

Blackburn manager Steve Kean was delighted with the early efforts shown by his players, which looked to have sealed victory for the visitors before the break.

“I think the first-half display was probably the best 45 minutes of the season and we’ve left it until the last game,” Kean said.

“I thought we were exceptional. Probably a little bit unfortunate not to go four up.”

“In the last nine games we’ve managed to set seven positive results. We’re unbeaten in the last four.”

“I’m delighted for the owners and the 3,000 fans that have travelled today … to send them away on their holidays with a fantastic win.”

According to Kean, Blackburn knew they would have a game on their hands in the second half, with Wolves in the relegation zone as results stood at the break.

“At half-time we know that Wolves are in the bottom three due to goal difference,” he said.

“We knew they would be dangerous as they would throw caution to the wind.”