Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered their fourth-straight home defeat across all competitions as AFC Bournemouth ran out narrow 1-0 victors at Molineux on Wednesday evening. Antoine Semenyo’s first-half poacher’s finish was the scoreline difference-maker on the night but it was another case of VAR regrettably taking centre stage in a Premier League game involving the Old Gold.
Gary O’Neil’s side were denied a second-half equaliser from Hwang Hee-Chan due to a Matheus Cunha foul in the build-up. Despite no appeals from Bournemouth, referee Stuart Attwell was prompted to look at the screen and decided to overturn the goal as Cunha’s arm swung into Justin Kluivert, off the ball. The Cherries saw Milos Kerkez sent off deep in the second half but it was already too late for the officials to be spared dislike from around Molineux.
Bournemouth deserved their 1-0 lead at the break as they looked dangerous from the off and Wolves were terrible in the first 45, quite frankly. The hosts struggled to keep possession and the visitors pounced on the transition, often playing simple passes over the top to get one-on-one with Jose Sa. Semenyo, Kerkez and Kluivert all saw decent efforts acrobatically saved by the Wanderers goalkeeper, while Dominic Solanke had an early sighter deflected narrowly wide. Cheap giveaways in midfield were often the culprit and defensive mix-ups were aplenty, too, frustrating the Molineux faithful.
There were occasional bursts forward for Wolves - including when Pablo Sarabia tested Cherries ‘keeper Mark Travers with a 25-yard curler - but the first half an hour saw very little Old Gold attacking action whatsoever. Shots from range seemed the only route, with Mario Lemina seeing one blocked behind and Rayan Ait-Nouri firing a right-footed long-ranger inches wide of the far post.
Getting to the break level could’ve allowed Wolves to regroup for the second period but Bournemouth took the lead in the 37th minute. Semenyo was the fox in the box for Andoni Iraola’s side, poking home as Kilman failed to clear away a low Kerkez cross. It was terrible defending from Wolves in the area but also in the build-up as Sarabia and Toti didn’t communicate well enough in midfield – the pair dispossessed cheaply. Molineux - apart from the odd exasperating groan - fell silent.
O’Neil turned to the bench at the interval and then again in the 55th minute, first replacing Santiago Bueno with Matt Doherty before Cunha was called to come on in Tommy Doyle’s place. Albeit slightly better with Doherty utilising space down the right, Wolves still struggled to gain any proper momentum and Bournemouth remained a threat. Marcos Senesi should’ve netted a second for his side as he dragged wide a 12-yard shot, just moments after nodding a header onto the top of the crossbar.
Molineux erupted in the 66th minute as Hwang headed in emphatically from a Nelson Semedo cross. There was a huge feeling of relief around the ground after such vexation beforehand but then the emotions turned cold once again. VAR intervened to rule out the goal, prompting a chorus of boos and expletive chants from a fanbase so often aggrieved by refereeing decisions against their side.
But then, just as you thought it wasn’t to be Wolves’ night, a big decision finally went in their favour. Kerkez slid in recklessly to take out Doherty and Attwell, albeit after taking his time to decide, brandished the red card. VAR had a look for a possible intervention but steered away, giving Wanderers some hope late on in the encounter.
The dream of an equaliser carried right until the very last moment of 10 minutes of stoppage time as captain Kilman ran onto a loose ball in the box and fired into the far corner for Wolves to find the net again. But the flag went up, disallowing the goal. VAR took a look but at that point the home fans were already fed up. As it was, the decision stood.
Here’s how Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the players out of 10 as Wolves, albeit not in form themselves, suffered from yet more VAR heartache.
1. Jose Sa - 7
Three excellent saves to deny Semenyo, Kerkez and Kluivert in the first half. A couple other stops later on in the game to keep Wolves in it.
2. Nelson Semedo - 5
Swung in the excellent cross for Hwang’s disallowed header; it’s a great shame it didn’t stand. Otherwise a poor game. A poor touch in the 26th minute allowed Kluivert through to shoot one-on-one and he was booked for a trip on the Dutch forward in the first half.
3. Max Kilman - 5
Awful defending for Semenyo’s goal as he scuffed his clearance - if you can call it that - straight into the striker’s path. Displayed poor communication with Toti early doors as the pair failed to control a dropping ball. A couple of brilliant last-ditch sliding challenges up the skipper’s rating a little.
4. Santiago Bueno - 4 (off at HT)
Caught completely out of position in the lead-up to Semenyo’s goal and, although not overly inaccurate, didn’t pass forward enough. Hooked at the break as O’Neil adjusted things.