Vitinha stunner sees Wolves into FA Cup fifth round

A stunning strike from Vitinha proved the difference as Wolves edged out non-League Chorley 1-0 to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

The Portuguese youngster scored with a powerful, swerving long-range effort after just 12 minutes of a hard-fought tie at Victory Park.

But the Premier League side failed to convert their obvious superiority into further goals as the National League North part-timers made life uncomfortable.

Defender Andy Halls went close to claiming an equaliser with a header that was tipped over the bar by John Ruddy.

The Magpies pushed until the end but Wolves held out without major alarm to book a date with Southampton or Arsenal.

Chorley fielded the same team that beat Derby in the third round, but the challenge facing them this time was completely different from a fortnight ago. Whereas the Championship side were forced to field a youth side after a series of Covid-19 infections, Wolves were laden with Premier League experience.

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Manager Nuno Espirito Santo made six changes from the side beaten by West Brom last time out, but the challenge was not taken lightly. Current England international Conor Coady and European Championship winner Joao Moutinho were among their headline starters, as was Fabio Silva.

Chorley had started positively. In 1986, they stunned a then-Fourth Division Wolves in a first-round replay and they may have harboured hopes of an even greater upset as they tried to take the game to the visitors.