Wolves ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Leicester City on Saturday – but there was controversy over a penalty decision involving Jamie Vardy.
Wolves made it six wins in a row with the victory, and are currently the most in-form team in Europe.
Vitor Pereira’s side were no match for already-relegated Leicester, with Matheus Cunha, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes all on target for the hosts.
But with Wolves 2-0 up, Jamie Vardy went down under a challenge by Jose Sa in the penalty area.
Referee Sam Barrott blew for a foul, and then VAR upheld the decision.
That was controversial, because replays showed Vardy had left his leg in for Sa to catch him.
The incident was looked at today on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch show, where Dermot Gallagher gave his take.
Dermot Gallagher unconvinced of Jamie Vardy simulation for penalty vs Wolves
Many fans have slammed Vardy for the way he went down, believing he played for the penalty.
It is the kind of thing we see from players from time to time, where they try to initiate the contact with an onrushing player.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher stopped short of calling out Vardy for simulation though.
He said: “The goalkeeper doesn’t get the ball, but somebody said to me on Saturday night ‘he makes sure he gets a penalty’. The goalkeeper is always going to catch him there. That’s what my friend said to me on Saturday night, he said he makes sure he gets a penalty because he comes across.”
Pundit Sue Smith did insist it wasn’t a penalty, saying: “It’s not a penalty. I don’t think it’s a penalty at all.
“I think Vardy knows exactly what he’s doing there. He’s running at pace, goes round the goalkeeper, the ball is just a little bit away, and he initiates contact. So I didn’t think that was a penalty.”
Former full-back Stephen Warnock also commented on the incident, describing Vardy’s actions as ‘clever’.
Vardy cheated to win penalty vs Wolves
Gallagher’s comments about the Vardy penalty incident are certainly strange.
He seemed unwilling to suggest one way or the other about the penalty decision against Sa.
His comments will anger Wolves fans, and they should anger everyone, because the decision to give that penalty was farcical.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 9 |  BrightonBrighton | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 56 | 55 | 1 | 51 |
| 10 |  B’mouthBournemouth | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 53 | 41 | 12 | 50 |
| 11 |  BrentfordBrentford | 33 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 56 | 50 | 6 | 46 |
| 12 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 34 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 43 | 47 | -4 | 45 |
| 13 |  WolvesWolves | 34 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 51 | 61 | -10 | 41 |
| 14 |  Man UtdManchester United | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 39 | 47 | -8 | 39 |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 34 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 34 | 41 | -7 | 38 |
| 16 |  TottenhamTottenham | 34 | 11 | 4 | 19 | 62 | 56 | 6 | 37 |
It was absolutely clear that Vardy initiated that contact, having pushed the ball too far so that he wouldn’t get to it to score in an empty goal.
As he’s passed up his chance, Vardy threw a leg in to catch Sa, in what was blatant simulation. That the VAR did not tell Barrott to go the screen or urge him to overturn the decision was laughable.
Thankfully it was immaterial, because Wolves won the game and the club are safe from relegation. But it’s still frustrating that a seemingly clear call has gone against Wanderers. Again.