Gutsy Wolves let down by a very silly Willy

WOLVES have made a habit of upsetting the big clubs this season – but last night proved a step too far.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have beaten Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League this term, as well as taking points off both Manchester clubs and Arsenal.

Their FA Cup victory over Liverpool underlined their status as the scourge of the big teams, but last night was effectively over before it had really begun.

After going behind to a Gabriel Jesus goal in the 10th minute, Wolves saw any chance they had of getting back into the game effectively dashed when Willy Boly was sent off for a dangerous challenge in the 19th minute.

There was no doubt in referee

Craig Pawson’s mind that the reckless nature of

Boly’s lunge on Bernardo Silva (top) merited a straight red, with little in the way of protest from the Wolves defender.

With Wanderers a man down and forced into a personnel reshuffle, they were always vulnerable. And they duly conceded again when Jesus converted from the penalty spot after Raheem Sterling was fouled.

Yet Wolves had their chances to score long before Kevin De Bruyne added a third.

Raul Jimenez (above) put Matt Doherty in behind the City defence a minute after the opener, but his delivery eluded everyone and went out of play. They also spurned a chance to equalise prior to the penalty, Diogo Jota failing to connect with Jonny Otto’s angled cross in the 36th minute.

The visitors did not implode, as so many sides – even with a full complement of players – have done at City in recent seasons.

Wolves deserve credit for that and now have a favourable run of fixtures – Leicester, West Ham, Everton, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Huddersfield and Cardiff – that could yet see them make a push for Europe.