One of the managers at Molineux yesterday had turned down an offer from the South Korean FA to take charge of their national team. Wolves’ Mick McCarthy was the man, but it was Burnley’s Owen Coyle who left the bigger impression in a frantic game.

No international offers have come Coyle’s way yet, but after his impressive start to his career in the Championship, Burnley fans can start nurturing hopes of returning to the top flight for the first time since 1976. After two impressive away wins at Watford and Charlton in his first month at the job, yesterday’s game delivered a clear warning to the rest of the league about Burnley’s intentions.

They played a slick passing game and took advantage of poor Wolves defending. After a decent early penalty shout when Karl Henry upended Andy Gray, Burnley had the first opportunity when Chris McCann hit the post from 30 yards on 17 minutes. Wayne Hennessey acrobatically saved Andy Gray’s effort from the rebound, but two minutes later the Welsh international goalkeeper inexplicably let an ordinary free kick by Robbie Blake from 20 yards into his net.

Wolves were fast to react and scored with a fine shot by Darron Gibson, on loan from Manchester United, inside the box after excellent assist by Stephen Ward. Burnley’s Hungarian keeper Gabor Kiraly did well to keep out Jay Bothroyd’s long-range effort before his side regained the lead and showed their quality. Wade Elliot delivered a sublime cross from right wing and Kyle Lafferty scored from close range thanks to wonderful timing. The third summed up Wolves’ dreadful evening in defence when Darren Ward deflected Clarke Carlisle’s header into his own net on 42 minute after another great cross by Blake.

Wolves were given a lifeline when Seyi Olofinjana was fouled in the box by Gray. Elliott converted from the spot, to the surprised and delight of the home fans after a midweek miss from 12 yards against Barnsley.

Revitalized Wolves piled on the pressure, with McCarthy sending on forwards Freddy Eastwood and Andy Keogh in the hope of salvaging something out of the game. But it was Burnley who looked the more likely to score and Hennessey had to palm over Joey Gudjonsson’s 30-yard free kick. Burnley left with another big scalp and richly deserved victory.

So it’s Molineux for McCarthy and not Seoul. Games played at the south coast instead of in southeast Asia and instead of qualifying game with Jordan it is a game against Crystal Palace’s Simon Jordan. There was a reminder from the board early this week that Wolves can match McCarthy’s ambitions. The question is whether he and the team can match the board’s and the fans’ ambitions.

“We played against very good side and merited all three points,” said Coyle after the game. “There was an intense pressure on in the second half but we deserve to win. We have quality players and they shown that. They were terrific from day one. They showed character and passed the ball. We want to win games but equally we want to be fluent and we want to pass the ball. Even under pressure we tried to pass the ball and had a few more opportunities.

“I’m committed to entertaining football and I want my players to enjoy themselves when they play. If you give the boys confidence with their passing game they will create chances, and we’ve got to keep believing in what we are doing.”

McCarthy said: “We competed today - it was an improvement from the last game, but it was comic book from our defence.”

Player ratings

Wolves: Hennessey 6, Foley 4, Gray 5, D Ward 4 (Jarvis 71min), Collins 5, Olofinjana 6, Henry 6, Gibson 6 (Eastwood 60min), Bothroyd 5 (Keogh 72min), S Ward 6, Elliott 6

Burnley: Kiraly 7, Alexander 6, Harley 7, Carlisle 7, Unsworth 7, Lafferty 7, McCann 8, Elliott 8, Mahon 6 (Gudjonsson 68min), Gray 7 (Akinbiyi 88min), Blake 8 (O’Connor 82min)

Scorers: Wolves: Gibson 24, Elliott 60 pen Burnley: Blake 20, Lafferty 30, D Ward og 42