Wolves travelled to Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Saturday, looking to replicate their 1-0 victory last weekend.
Vitor Pereira knew it was going to be a difficult afternoon for his side, and so it proved in the opening stages when forward Evanilson gave Bournemouth the lead in the 30th.
Wolves then thought they were given a mountain to climb when Milos Kerkez doubled their lead moments later. However, fans directed their anger towards VAR when it took seven minutes to disallow the goal for offside.
This was the lifeline Wolves needed, and in an end-to-end contest, it was who else but Matheus Cunha who dragged his side level with a phenomenal strike from outside the box.
Once the Brazilian equalised, the visitors defended for most of the game as Bournemouth sought to find a winner in extra time.
Then, in a moment of madness, Cunha was sent off for losing his head in the last minute of extra time, demonstrating the good, bad and the ugly of the 25-year-old.
Unfortunately, in a game filled with drama and chaos, Wolves were beaten in the penalty shootout, ending their FA Cup hopes.
Here’s how the players rated.
Wolves player ratings vs Bournemouth
Sam Johnstone – 8
Sam Johnstone was arguably at fault for Evanilson’s goal, but the Englishman made up for it throughout the game with some outstanding saves to keep the score level and then made a world-class save in the shootout.
Nasser Djiga – 5
A steady afternoon for Nasser Djiga on his full debut. Although he misplaced some passes, he was strong in the tackle and battled well physically.
Santiago Bueno – 6.5
A solid display from Bueno at the heart of the Wolves’ defence. The Uruguayan always seems to place himself in the correct position to make some vital blocks and interceptions, doing so during this clash.
Toti Gomes – 7.5
Toti Gomes was arguably at fault for Bournemouth’s first goal after losing the run of Antoine Semenyo. But he made up for it with two phenomenal goal-line clearances while making some vital blocks and interceptions.
Nelson Semedo – 6
Nelson Semedo is often a bright attacking spark down the right for Wolves. In this clash, he had to do more defending up against Marcus Tavernier but stood up to the task well.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – 6.5
Less effective from a deeper midfield position alongside Gomes and is arguably better in an advanced role. He was unplayable last weekend against the Cherries, but unfortunately, he didn’t reach that level here.
Joao Gomes – 5
It was another game where Joao Gomes was treading on eggshells for most of it after being shown a yellow card in the first half. Typically, the Brazilian is instrumental in and out of possession, but he lacked positive influence during this clash.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 6
Whenever Rayan Ait-Nouri picked up the ball in space, he looked electric. The problem Wolves had was getting it to him regularly as he was forced into doing more defending.
Pablo Sarabia – 5
Wolves fans will have been surprised to see Pablo Sarabia start, and the Spaniard didn’t justify his selection. He was pretty synonymous throughout, rarely threatening in the final third and not boasting the physicality to challenge.
Matheus Cunha – 6
He was the hero for Wolves last weekend, scoring the winner over Bournemouth, and he produced a thunderbolt of a strike to draw his side level in the FA Cup. However, a phenomenal performance was let down by a moment of petulance in the last minute of extra time for losing his head with Kerkez, resulting in a red card.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – 4
Jorgen Strand Larsen played for the first time since his injury against Arsenal, and that was arguably an incorrect decision. The Norwegian struggled to hold up the ball and offered very little as an outlet up top for most of the game.
Substitutes
Matt Doherty – 6
His experience came in handy towards the end of this clash as Wolves battled in extra time.
Marshall Munetsi – 5
Added a physical presence in the final third for Wolves alongside Cunha and Strand Larsen.
Andre – 6
Andre offered a bit of class to Pereira’s midfield after replacing Gomes.
Boubacar Traore – 4.5
Made his first appearance for Wolves since he suffered that horrible injury against Burnley in August and did a decent job in extra time but missed the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Alfie Pond – 5
Alfie Pond made only his fifth senior appearance for the club but stood his ground against a tricky Bournemouth attack.