An FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Bournemouth was a disappointing blow for Wolves, but the impact of losing star forward Matheus Cunha for at least three Premier League matches may hurt even more.
The 25-year-old had to be dragged down the tunnel and was unable to take part in the penalty shootout following his red card in the final minute of extra time for an unsavoury clash with Cherries defender Milos Kerkez.
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira said: “Of course, the emotional side was very high and not only inside the pitch, but on the bench and in the stands, a lot of pressure everywhere. In the end it happens.
“It should not happen, but this is something that happens in football.”
Both Matt Doherty and Boubacar Traore missed spot-kicks for Wolves in the 5-4 shootout defeat after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at Vitality Stadium.
It was a dramatic climax to a game where Evanilson had put the Cherries ahead on his return from injury, before his fellow Brazilian Cunha levelled with a sensational equaliser from around 30 yards.
However, Cunha’s display went from magical to madness with a dismissal that will leave his side – fourth bottom in the Premier League – without their best player for crucial games in their relegation fight.
The red-mist moment, where he clashed multiple times with Kerkez, including fighting, kicking out at the Hungarian full-back while he was on the ground and aiming a headbutt when Kerkez had got back to his feet.
After being pulled away by team-mates, referee Sam Barrott eventually gave him a red card but a furious Cunha refused to leave the field, needing to be escorted and pushed down the tunnel.
He will be suspended for three games following the red card for violent conduct, but additional games cannot be ruled out because of the severity of the incident and having already served a two-match ban for clashing with Ipswich Town security in December.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said on Match of the Day: “The ability he has is top level, the goal he scored belongs in the Champions League, but then suddenly we see the ugly.
“I have not seen that on the football pitch since the 1970s – he just lost it. The referee had to send him off. They couldn’t get him out of the ground. This was the ugly part and it is something he has to stop.
“Wolves need points to stay up. He will be a huge loss.” (BBCSport)
