
Matheus Cunha was despatched off in extra-time for an obvious headbutt as Wolves misplaced to Bournemouth in a rollercoaster FA Cup tie that resulted in sudden-death penalties.
The fifth-round tie on the Vitality Stadium was stuffed with drama with Evanilson’s Thirtieth-minute opener adopted by VAR controversy as Milos Kerkez had a second dominated out for offside after a seven-minute test that led to followers chanting “embarrassing”.
Cunha levelled for Wolves with a second-half stunner to drive extra-time, however later misplaced his head in a second of insanity as referee Sam Barrott despatched him off for violent conduct.
“It is a full home,” Paul Merson informed Soccer Saturday as he watched on. “There is a kick, a shove and a headbutt.”
Additional punishment might come Cunha’s means after he repeatedly clashed with Kerkez earlier than penalties adopted and after Matt Doherty missed when he had the prospect to ship Wolves by way of, Boubacar Traore hit the crossbar and it allowed Luis Sinisterra to fireplace Andoni Iraola’s males into the final eight.
The hosts took the lead within the Thirtieth minute when James Hill chipped into the trail of Antoine Semenyo and whereas a barely out-of-position Sam Johnstone parried his shot, Evanilson tapped dwelling on his first begin since a two-month lay-off with a damaged metatarsal.
The opener was adopted by controversy 5 minutes later as Kerkez bundled in David Brooks’ nook on the again publish, however chants of Wembley have been quickly changed by VAR frustration.
A prolonged delay of round seven minutes occurred as VAR officers Timothy Wooden and Darren England firstly deliberated on whether or not the ball had hit the hand of Kerkez or Dean Huijsen on the road.
Referee Barrott spoke with each coaches through the VAR assessment earlier than the objective was finally dominated out for Huijsen being offside.
Semi-automated offside expertise was getting used for the primary time in English soccer this weekend – designed to considerably lower delays brought on by the guide course of at the moment utilized by VAR to find out offsides by ‘drawing strains’ with crosshairs.
However it’s understood the test was advanced as officers had to take a look at each a handball and the unclear offside, so that they drew the crosshairs as a substitute and this added extra time than ordinary.
The choice was introduced by referee Barrott to a bemused crowd, however there was nonetheless time for one more Bournemouth effort to be disallowed.
Evanilson performed in Kerkez and he squared for Alex Scott, who inexplicably miscued his shot up onto his hand with the objective gaping and it stayed 1-0 at half-time.
Additional controversy was across the nook as not lengthy after Joao Gomes despatched a half-volley over, Wolves levelled on the hour mark. It was all about Cunha as he managed Santiago Beuno’s move earlier than he let fly with a dipping and swerving strike from 30 yards that left Kepa with no probability.
As Cunha trotted off to simply accept the adulation of the away crowd, Bournemouth boss Iraola made the VAR gesture after Evanilson was not given a foul within the build-up. No assessment was forthcoming nevertheless it was required two minutes later when Huijsen caught Larsen, though no crimson card was issued.
Toti made an important interception moments later to disclaim Evanilson from Tavernier’s cross earlier than Iraola launched Justin Kluivert and Dango Ouattara. The Cherries continued to press for a winner as Huijsen headed over and Kluivert was thwarted by Johnstone earlier than Semenyo whipped an effort simply broad within the ultimate exchanges to make sure extra-time was required.
An identical sample remained as Tavernier, Semenyo, Huijsen and Tyler Adams failed with pot pictures, with Wolves comfortable to absorb strain.
Daniel Jebbison was despatched on by Iraola and nearly made himself an immediate hero, however Toti cleared his shot off the road earlier than Johnstone produced flying saves to disclaim headers from Sinisterra and Lewis Cook dinner.
Simply as penalties have been on the horizon, extra drama occurred as Cunha had a second of insanity and acquired a crimson card. After the Brazilian had been flagged offside, Kerkez tried to get the ball and was grabbed across the neck by Wolves’ stand-in captain earlier than he pushed his head into the face of the Bournemouth left-back.
Pereira tried to drag Cunha away earlier than the substituted Nelson Semedo intervened, however referee Barrott despatched off the ahead, who additionally clashed with team-mate Daniel Bentley as he was ushered down the tunnel.
Spot-kicks did observe and after Johnstone saved Huijsen’s effort, Doherty had the prospect to place Wolves by way of however dragged broad.
Traore hit the crossbar with Wolves’ subsequent penalty and Sinisterra smashed dwelling from 12 yards to ebook Bournemouth’s place within the quarter-finals.
In photos: Cunha’s second of insanity
The feelgood issue continues at Bournemouth
Sky Sports activities’ Oliver Yew:
The roar when Sinisterra’s match-winning penalty hit the online informed you simply how a lot it meant to the Bournemouth followers to maintain their FA Cup dream alive.
In the long run, after having probabilities to win the sport in regular time and extra-time, and Wolves having a penalty to win the match, the Cherries acquired over the road within the shoot-out to succeed in the FA Cup quarter-finals for less than the third time of their historical past.
It continues Bournemouth’s unbelievable season and the feelgood issue across the membership.
Qualification for Europe subsequent season by way of the league is clearly an enormous goal for Iraola, however the probability to win silverware ought to by no means be missed.
Bournemouth are simply three wins from glory now and Iraola has twice led retro Spanish golf equipment to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, in 2020 with second-tier aspect Mirandes and in 2022 with Rayo Vallecano, who he left to hitch the Premier League aspect in the summertime of 2023.
The Cherries have by no means gone past the final eight earlier than and as their exceptional season continues, you wouldn’t guess towards them making historical past.