First, they were victims, losing 8-0 to West Bromwich Albion at Molineux, and nearly 62 years later they were the executioners as Stan Cullis’ Fabulous Fifties side won 9-1 at Cardiff City.
On Wednesday December 27th 1893, a Wolves side unbeaten in seven games – six of them wins – entertained an Albion side with only two wins in their previous eight. Form went out the window as legendary winger Billy Bassett and centre-forward Roddie McLeod grabbed hat-tricks. Albion were 5-0 up at half-time.
Albion’s next game was a visit to Everton and they came down to earth, losing 7-1.
Sunderland equalled Albion’s margin of victory in December 1908, and it was also in a derby game. They won 9-1 at Newcastle, scoring eight second-half goals. The defeat did not deflate the Geordies who still ended the season as champions.
Wolves made sure they shared the record for the biggest top flight away victory when they won 9-1 at Ninian Park, which was then Cardiff’s home, on September 3rd 1955.
Ahead 5-0 at the break, Wolves scored through Roy Swinbourne (3), Johnny Hancocks (3), Peter Broadbent (2) and Jimmy Mullen. Even the Cardiff goal was from an ex-Wolves man, Ron Stockin,
The previous weekend Wolves had beaten Manchester City 7-2 at Molineux, with Swinbourne scoring four times. A week after the Cardiff game the centre-forward scored three goals in a 4-0 home win over Huddersfield – hat-tricks on three successive Saturdays.
Leicester's win equalled the best for a Premier League game, home or away, which was Manchester United against Ipswich in 1995. However, it was a new high for a Premier League away game bettering the 8-1 win by United at Nottingham Forest in 1999.
By Steve Gordos
