Wolverhampton Wanderers

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  1. Opponents 'laughing at his antics'published at 09:32 5 March

    Pat Nevin
    Former footballer and presenter

    Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers clashes with Milos Kerkez of AFC Bournemouth.Image source, Getty Images

    Wolves' Matheus Cunha gets little sympathy after his red card following a wild temper tantrum against Bournemouth. Hugely talented but utterly uncontrollable would seem the best description.

    He now faces a lengthy ban, has let his team down by costing them a chance to win the tie and will miss a crucial period of the season. And for what?

    A few weeks back, he ripped the glasses off a steward - not that big and brave.

    This time he threw a one-two combination with his fists that wouldn't have hurt a five-year-old, before delivering a sneaky little kick that his opponent would scarcely have felt but every camera picked up.

    He then produced a headbutt with all the force of a kiss from your auntie, before causing a scene in the tunnel that was at the intellectual level of a toddler.

    All a bit pathetic, if you ask me.

    With brilliant goals - like the one he scored before his hissy fit - and world-class skills, he should be worth fortunes, but he is now considered damaged goods.

    His opponents, on the other hand, are laughing at his antics and the ease in which they wind him up.

    It is time to grow up, Matheus.

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  2. The 'disastrous' fallout from defeat at Bournemouthpublished at 13:11 4 March

    Dazzling Dave
    Fan writer

    Wolverhampton Wanderers fan's voice banner
    Matheus Cunha of Wolves clashes with Bournemouth's Milos KerkezImage source, Getty Images

    Two trips to Bournemouth in a week, two drastically different results. Last week brought three vital points; this week, an exit from the FA Cup on penalties.

    In this game, Matheus Cunha went from hero to zero. His goal was a moment of sheer brilliance - reminiscent of Ruben Neves at his finest - but his headbutt was a moment of sheer madness.

    It underlined the fine line between triumph and disaster. True, Cunha found himself persistently fouled, which is often the price a team's star player pays. But what exactly pushed him to lose control in those final moments? We may never know, but the red card he earned is a decision with real consequences.

    Now suspended for at least three critical fixtures, Cunha's absence could not come at a worse time. With the relegation battle heating up, every point matters. Combined with our growing injury list, this puts even more strain on an already stretched Wolves squad.

    In a team that leans heavily on Cunha and his moments of brilliance, Vitor Pereira now has to make the team function effectively without our talisman.

    So, who steps forward?

    Attacking options are thin. Jorgen Strand Larsen and Hwang Hee-chan are just returning from injuries and are out of form. Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo Gomes are currently unavailable and, to make matters worse, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has picked up a knock. Could this be the time for Tommy Doyle?

    Under Pereira, Wolves favour narrow number 10s supporting the striker, a role Doyle filled against Liverpool and the boss has seemingly been working to push his former Manchester City midfielder further upfield.

    Pereira has admitted concerns about Doyle's lack of physicality in deeper roles but believes pushing him higher up the pitch could unlock his potential.

    Bournemouth deserved their win - you can't argue otherwise - but the fallout from this match stings. The path ahead is riddled with questions, and the answers will define our survival hopes.

    Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

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  3. Cunha could face further punishment after Bournemouth red cardpublished at 12:22 3 March

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers squares up to Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez during an argumentImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves' Matheus Cunha is facing an anxious wait to discover if he will be charged by the Football Association after his red card at Bournemouth - which could have a huge impact on the Premier League relegation battle.

    The striker was sent off after clashing with Cherries defender Milos Kerkez and had to be dragged down the tunnel as Wolves lost their FA Cup fifth-round tie on penalties on Saturday.

    Cunha lashed out at Kerkez three times, fighting and kicking out at the Hungarian full-back before aiming a headbutt when Kerkez got back to his feet.

    Referee Sam Barrott eventually issued a red card but a furious Cunha - who scored the winner in Wolves' 1-0 league victory at Vitality Stadium last week - ultimately had to be escorted and pushed down the tunnel.

    The FA could now issue a further charge following Cunha's refusal to leave the field.

    It has until the end of Wednesday, with the club having a further three business days to respond.

    Another three business days is given for the FA to reply, with a hearing held no later than 10 business days after their final response.

    Cunha is already suspended for Wolves' games against Everton, Southampton and West Ham. A one-game extension to the ban would see him miss the crucial trip to relegation rivals Ipswich on 5 April.

    Wolves are 17th, five points above the third-bottom Tractor Boys.

    Cunha was suspended for two games in January after clashing with a member of Ipswich's security and grabbing his glasses from his face following the visitors' 2-1 win at Molineux in December.

    That is not expected to be a mitigating factor in any further ban if the Brazil international is charged.

  4. Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves (5-4 on penalties) - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:00 3 March

    Your views banner
    Media caption,

    We asked for your views on the FA Cup fifth round match between Bournemouth and Wolves.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Bournemouth fans

    Colin: A very one-sided affair. Unbelievable attacking from the Cherries, over 30 shots! Terrific defending from Wolves. A fair result, finally!

    Steve: Superb. We fully deserved that result after last week's loss in the league.

    Mike: Great persistence and we held our nerves in the shootout after Dean Huijsen missed his penalty. Luckily Wolves shot themselves in the foot when Matheus Cunha became reckless and cost them. Bournemouth must learn to finish teams off after taking the lead and become more clinical in the last third.

    Lance: Bournemouth proved, like every week, that they are fighters and never give up. I hope the squad will stick together in seasons to come. Never change a winning team, as they say.

    Wolves fans

    Peter: Cunha cost us the game and now possibly the league. That is twice his temper has got the best of him. If he can't control it, he may as well go. Toti Gomes was outstanding in defence.

    BG: We need league points more than we need a cup run. Losing this game was likely, but losing Cunha will be more costly.

    Steve: Wolves defended well. Cunha was irresponsible and petulant - he isn't playing in a Sunday morning pub match! Overall, Bournemouth deserved to win but they also need to stop hacking like a Sunday morning team. They were making way too many dangerous tackles, which do not belong in the Premier league.

    Colin: Maybe I'm alone on this one but when Cunha scores, you will only see a few players in shot and the rest are not really bothered. It definitely looks like they don't get on with him. Why would you not show some excitement at getting an equaliser? Poor Matt Doherty, of all the players to miss the winning penalty!

    Media caption,

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  5. 'Cunha's display went from magical to madness'published at 21:23 1 March

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Matheus Cunha reacts as he leaves the pitchImage source, Getty Images

    An FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Bournemouth was a disappointing blow for Wolves, but the impact of losing star forward Matheus Cunha for at least three Premier League matches may hurt even more.

    Cunha's display went from magical to madness with a dismissal that will leave his side - fourth bottom in the Premier League - without their best player for crucial games in their relegation fight.

    The red-mist moment included him clashing multiple times with Cherries defender Milos Kerkez, fighting and kicking out at the Hungarian full-back while he was on the ground, and aiming a headbutt when Kerkez eventually got back to his feet.

    After being pulled away by team-mates, referee Sam Barrott eventually gave him a red card but a furious Cunha refused to leave the field, needing to be escorted and pushed down the tunnel.

    He will be suspended for three games following the red card for violent conduct, but additional games cannot be ruled out due to the severity of the incident and having already served a two-match ban for clashing with Ipswich Town security in December.

  6. Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves (5-4 on pens): Cunha turns from hero to villainpublished at 19:45 1 March

    Matthew Howarth
    BBC Sport journalist

    Matheus Cunha squares up to Milos Kerkez during Bournemouth's FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    Matheus Cunha's second-half goal at Vitality Stadium will go down as one of the finest FA Cup strikes this season, but the Brazilian's moment of brilliance was undone by a moment of sheer stupidity near the end of extra time.

    The 25-year-old needlessly squared up to Milos Kerkez after tangling with the full-back, kicking out and aiming a headbutt at the Hungarian defender to leave referee Sam Barrott with little option but to brandish a straight red card.

    It was a sad end to Cunha's afternoon after he had sent a venomous, swerving strike past Kepa Arrizabalaga to cancel out Evanilson's first-half opener for Bournemouth.

    Wolves could have done with the Brazilian's ability from the spot in the penalty shootout, after Boubacar Traore and Matt Doherty missed from 12 yards to hand Bournemouth victory.

    Cunha, who was charged with misconduct by the Football Association following Wolves' 2-1 defeat by Ipswich in December, is now set to miss three matches through suspension as his team look to keep their heads above water in the Premier League.

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  7. 'Football is emotional and the level was very high'published at 19:02 1 March

    Vitor PereiraImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the defeat: "I'm proud of my players because we played with a lot of injury limitations. It means it was a very difficult game. Three games in a row, I must feel proud."

    On Matheus Cunha's red card: "When the situation happened, I was looking for the ball. I didn't see the situation but football is emotional and the level was very high today, not only inside the pitch but outside the pitch. With a lot of pressure, these are things that can happen.

    "You know he is frustrated. He is better [than that], in my opinion. I never speak to the team when we are nervous or frustrated. It is better to wait one day and think about everything. After that, we can have a talk.

    "Of course he is an important player, but in the next game we need to start with 11 and play with 11. We had the capacity to equalise the game in the second half and then, after that, it was the injury limitations."

    On the seven minute VAR check: "I was very calm. I think it was some problem with the machine. I don't know what happened but, in the end, I understand."

    On their Premier League relegation fight: "It will be a strong fight until the end, but we will be ready to do it."

    What did you make of Wolves' display? Have your say here

    Have your say image
  8. Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves (5-4 on penalties): Key statspublished at 18:12 1 March

    Matheus CunhaImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves have lost seven of their last eight penalty shootouts in all competitions.

    Matheus Cunha has scored six goals from outside the box in all competitions this season, at least two more than any other Premier League player.

    The Brazilian centre-forward has scored in each of his last four away games for Wolves in all competitions, while overall this is now the second consecutive campaign in which he has netted 10 goals on the road.

  9. Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Wolvespublished at 11:01 1 March

    Sutton's predictions graphic

    Wolves won here in the Premier League on Saturday but only after Bournemouth had Illia Zabarnyi sent off in the first half. That completely skewed that result so I am not using it as a form guide for this tie.

    What will be more relevant is how many changes both teams make for this game.

    I was at Wolves' win over Blackburn in round four and their manager Vitor Pereira went kind of half-strong there. I can guarantee you he will be prioritising Premier League survival ahead of FA Cup progress, so we will probably see another mix-and-match selection from him.

    As for Bournemouth, well I have already talked about why Crystal Palace should be trying to win the FA Cup this season, and the same definitely applies to Andoni Iraola's side.

    The Cherries have only reached the quarter-finals twice before, losing at that stage in 1957 and 2021, and their best moments in the competition are probably as a lower-league giantkiller, such as when they beat Manchester United as a third-tier team in 1984.

    This year, they are genuine contenders to win it and lift the club's first major trophy, and they have already shown they can beat anyone - especially at home.

    They are still seventh in the Premier League despite losing their past two matches, and I would be really disappointed - no, actually I'd be angry - if Iraola picks a weakened team in the situation they are in.

    He has got a responsibility to the fans to try to reach the semi-finals for the first time. Yes they have got a chance of making the Champions League, which would be incredible, but they are only two wins away from their biggest day out ever at Wembley. Why not go for it?

    Sutton's prediction: 2-1

    Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  10. When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?published at 08:53 1 March

    FA CupImage source, Getty Images

    The road to Wembley continues this weekend, as teams battle it out to book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

    There is still lots of Premier League interest in the competition, with 11 top-flight teams all dreaming of a trip to Wembley. Aston Villa are already in the hat for the last eight after victory over Cardiff City on Friday.

    The draw will take place on BBC One after Sunday's tie between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford, which kicks off at 16:30 GMT and features Danny Murphy, Micah Richards and Wayne Rooney in the studio with host Gary Lineker.

    If you're wondering how to follow the remaining fifth-round ties, find all the information you need here.

  11. Pereira on concentration, dreams and Ramadanpublished at 14:59 28 February

    Tyrese King
    BBC Sport journalist

    Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup game against Bournemouth (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Wolves want to create their own identity to "play their own way", with Pereira adding: "There is a lot to correct. We want to be better than the last game because each game has to be a lesson."

    • Pereira on what his side need to improve on from the midweek Premier League defeat against Fulham: "We need to be different because the levels of concentration [were low], and we cannot start the first and second half conceding goals. It is impossible because here [Bournemouth] they punish you with goals. You cannot make these types of mistakes and go there sleeping."

    • Pereira on the fitness of Emmanuel Agbadou, Hwang Hee-chan, Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo Gomes: "They are recovering. I think for this match, Hee-chan will recover and be available. The other ones we'll need to wait a bit more."

    • Asked about facing Bournemouth again: "I'm not worried about one player. When I look at the game, I try to understand the moments they create problems and how we can cause problems for them. Each game is a lesson."

    • He continued: "It's easy to understand this team. I understand why they are in the position [7th] they are in the table. They are a very, very aggressive team with and without the ball. They are a vertical team, the moment you lose the ball they can score a goal in a second."

    • On Wolves winning the FA Cup four times: "In this moment football has changed a lot but you know, tomorrow is a chance and an opportunity for us to move forward and we cannot think about the draw."

    • He continued: "We need to win. In my mind, in our mind, we need to go through with the intention to win the game and move forward. I cannot speak about dreams, it's like in life, if you have a lot of dreams and do nothing to achieve them, it's only dreams. But if you set the targets, we must take the steps to reach the target, this is one of those steps. It's difficult of course but we can do it."

    • On Ramadan: I'm sure our medical department will have a plan for those players because you need a plan to face the training and the games."

    • Explaining further: "For me, if I tried to do it, it would be very difficult for me, but they are used to doing it. They sleep a lot in their own time, and they eat a lot in the night. Here in our club I think we are very professional, we have the medical department and a nutritionist who would be very on it."

    Follow all the FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.

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  12. Bournemouth v Wolves: Did you know?published at 12:09 28 February

    Vitor Pereira and Andoni Iraola Image source, Getty Images

    This will be Bournemouth and Wolves' third meeting in the FA Cup. In 1947-48 Wolves won 2-1 in the third round, while in the 1956-57 fourth round the Cherries won 1-0 at Molineux.