Wolves are out of the FA Cup after losing to Bournemouth on penalties.
Wanderers lost in the shootout after playing out a 1-1 draw with the Cherries.
Bournemouth went ahead after Evanilson – a player linked with Wolves in the past – followed in a shot from Antoine Semenyo that was parried by Sam Johnstone. Wolves fans were critical of Johnstone for his role in the Bournemouth goal.
But Wolves got back on level terms when Matheus Cunha rifled home from all of 30 yards.
The game headed into extra-time and then to penalties, but not before Cunha completely lost his head at the end of extra-time and was sent off for violent conduct.
Cunha would have taken a penalty for Wolves in the shootout had he not been dismissed.
But the man who stepped up in his place was Matt Doherty, who unfortunately missed. But after the game, Vitor Pereira moved to praise Doherty for stepping up.
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Pereira praises Matt Doherty for stepping up to take penalty for Wolves against Bournemouth despite injury
Doherty didn’t actually start the game against Bournemouth.
He was on the bench, with Nasser Djiga making his full debut, alongside Santiago Bueno and Toti Gomes.
He replaced Semedo towards the end of normal time, despite actually carrying an injury according to Pereira.
Doherty had to step up after Cunha’s shocking antics, and the Republic of Ireland international came in for high praise from his manager after the game.
He said (via Wolves official): “He [Doherty] has the spirit that I like in a player, he’s a fighter. He was injured and he asked me to take a penalty.
“I know a lot of players and I’ve been in finals on penalties, and I experienced a lot of players with big careers, and in that moment they asked not to take penalties. It’s personality and I like his personality.”
After Doherty missed, Lewis Cook scored and then Boubacar Traore missed Wolves’ next penalty, before Luis Sinisterra won it for Bournemouth.
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Doherty has been one of Wolves’ best players since Pereira arrived
Doherty’s penalty against Bournemouth was undoubtedly poor.
But fans shouldn’t be on his back as he should not have been in that position. The anger should be towards Cunha, who would have taken a spot-kick had he been on the pitch.
Pereira’s praise for Doherty doesn’t come as too much of a surprise.
The Irishman has seen plenty of minutes under the Portuguese since he arrived and is clearly someone he values highly.
And arguably, he’s been one of the most consistent players for Wolves, in a role he hasn’t been overly familiar with.