CAV SOME OF THAT
NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO described his thrilling FA Cup win over Bristol City as “a moment of joy” as tempers flared at Ashton Gate.
A feisty encounter saw City assistant coach Jamie Mcallister booked in the tunnel at half-time after he took exception to the Wolves manager’s celebration of Ivan Cavaleiro’s goal (left), which ultimately proved decisive.
But the confrontational Nuno (right) insisted: “For once I did nothing wrong!”
Two red cards were shown to players in the corresponding league fixture last season and City manager Lee Johnson admitted there is plenty of history between the two dugouts.
He said: “To be fair, they are a fiery bench and we are a fiery bench.
“It was a bit of handbags and I don’t know what started it, but it was nothing.”
‘Handbags’, a frantic finale in which Robins keeper Frank Fielding fired in a shot from a corner – and even a contested drop-ball at one stage – this was a good, oldfashioned FA Cup tie.
“Both teams fought very hard and we had to be brave,” said Nuno. “I’m very happy, it was very tough, but I’m happy for fans and it was a moment of joy. We try to find solutions, but it was hard when they put so many behind the ball – and with long balls into the box all the time.
“In the first half they gave us space, we had space and the chances to score, but then they changed it and they are a tough team. Now we will see what comes next.”
Wolves’ goal on 28 minutes was the first shot in the game, created by Matt Doherty’s determination down the right.
He all but ran through Jay
Dasilva, took a moment to look up and then picked out Cavaleiro, whose side-foot finish somehow found a way through Tomas Kalas and Fielding on the line.
Two minutes later, the Wolves wing-back was at it again. First Doherty played a one-two with Leander Dendoncker, then with Raul Jimenez, before hitting a deflected shot against the face of a post.
It was inevitable that Johnson would make changes at half-time, bolstering his midfield with the introduction of Marlon Pack and Matty Taylor in a switch to a back three.
The changes seemed to give City more belief. With promotion at stake in the league, it was inevitable that Johnson would ring the changes.
But five was clearly too many to maintain the momentum of a side that had won nine games on the trot – a feat unparalleled in Europe’s top divisions. As the emotions subsided and calm analysis took over, ultra slowmotion replays showed a halfhearted penalty appeal for handball against Doherty in the first half was actually a very valid one.
“I am not sure we were playing Wolves or the Harlem Globetrotters at one point,” Johnson said with gallows humour.
“There were at least three handballs – including one in the build up to the goal.
“At least the referee was consistent!”