Santo criticises referee as Wolves’ record falls

Nuno Espirito Santo was far from happy with the performance of referee Scott Duncan after seeing his Wolves side lose their 100 per cent record.

Former Wolves trainee Nathaniel Mendez-Laing stole the show for the Bluebirds, who top the Championship with four wins from four.

But Santo criticised the way in which Duncan allowed Neil Warnock’s men to frustrate his freestyle passers and also the match official’s decision to keep Loic Damour on the pitch after he appeared to catch Romain Saiss’s throat and earn only a booking. “One of the things we have to analyse is about the referee,” Santo said. “If he allows this kind of situation, teams are going to do that. It is not about changing the way the other team plays. The referee must protect what the people come to the stadium to see. They come to see football, not kicking around.”

Warnock hailed Mendez-Laing after the much-travelled 25-year-old made it five goals for the season with the one that sealed victory. “Is he exceeding my expectations? Crikey, yes,” said the manager. “I would imagine he hasn’t dreamed of this before.

“He is a level-headed lad. He has seen it all. He has had his downsides and you have to work hard first and foremost on your way up. The lad has got a good future if he keeps grounded – and while I am in charge he will remain grounded, don’t worry.

“It was a well-worked goal and I knew he was going to score when he took the first touch. He has been like that, on fire.”

Wolves fell behind to a well-taken opener from Joe Ralls. Leo Bonatini equalised, but Mendez-Laing secured full points for Cardiff.

“It was a cracking game, a typical Championship match which I love – two sides really having a go at each other,” said Warnock. “We didn’t come to defend, we came to attack as much as we could. Obviously we had to have a plan because they’ve steam-rollered every team they have played so far and I thought it worked well.”

Santo knows Wolves must improve after their perfect start came to an end. He said: “We made too many mistakes for a team that wants to be strong.”