Wolves’ clash with Leeds United at Molineux last night turned on the decision to send Raul Jimenez off for a second yellow card.
Raul was already on a booking when he collided with Illan Meslier and got his marching orders, despite not making a challenge, slowing down before he got there.
On Premier League Productions, former Molineux defender Joleon Lescott was analysing the game and said he initially thought it was a red before changing his mind with the benefit of replays.
“Initially, I did [think it was a red], to be honest,” said Lescott when asked if he thought Raul should have been sent off.
“But then when I seen the replay, I didn’t think it was. He hasn’t gone to hurt him, he hasn’t gone to make contact with the goalkeeper.
“So I’m surprised it was given. Yes, there’s contact and it’s a painful one but I don’t think it was an intent to stop him clearing it or malicious so it was a surprise outcome for me.
Wolves were aggrieved with the decision to send Jimenez off and rightly so.
It changed the course of the game and looks to be the wrong decision, especially when you look at all the different angles which are available to VAR.
It is frustrating, and it seems Wolves should appeal so it will be interesting to see if it is upheld.
That said, it does not excuse the defending when Wolves did go down to ten men, which was really uncharacteristically slapdash and panicked, and ultimately cost them the game.
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