Wolves 2 : Stoke 1

David Jones' stunning free-kick and a strike from club record signing Steven Fletcher set Wolves on their way to victory.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis will be sweating on the fitness of 8million pound record signing Kenwyne Jones after the striker limped off in the 14th minute and was later seen on crutches in the stands.

Jones hit the bar in the third minute but a crunching Jody Craddock challenge cut the Trinidadian's debut short and he was replaced by Mamady Sidibe.

This knocked the stuffing out of Stoke and Wolves began to dictate the play. Fletcher fired just over following good work from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Jelle

In the 37th minute following good work by Kevin Foley, David Jones masterfully flicked a free kick into the air and in the same movement volleyed home and left Thomas Sorensen with no chance in the Stoke goal.

Sorensen was beaten again just two minutes later when Steven Fletcher pounced at the far post to convert a looping cross and send the Molineux crowd wild with delight and leave the visitors with an uphill task in the second half.

Wolves lost their momentum and Stoke pulled one back ten minutes after half-time. In a rare foray forward, Abdoulaye Faye caught the home side's backline cold when he headed home.

The travelling support responded and the visitors made more of a fight out of this Staffordshire derby.

In torrential rain Wolves missed a great chance to settle the game in the 72nd minute - Stephen Ward stabbed the ball wide after Sorensen had tipped his half volley on to the bar, as the hosts held firm to claim a welcome opening day win.