Wolves and Forest has the Max factor
MAX KILMAN is certain Wolves v Nottingham Forest will be a Premier League fixture next season.
And that spells bad news for topflight referees and good news for those that enjoy controversy.
This crazy latest offering produced eight yellow cards, red cards for both assistants, an indifferent officiating performance from Chris Kavanagh and a late flashpoint where Daniel Podence was alleged to have spat at fellow scorer Brennan Johnson.
Kilman is sure these two sides, who have become rivals thanks to recent grudge matches, will meet again next year.
The Wanderers defender said: “This will definitely be a Premier League fixture next season.
“Of course, there’s a bit of rivalry with Forest, but it doesn’t matter.
“Forest are always very good at home and they showed that.
“They’re difficult to beat but we matched them and in the second half.
“We’ll show that character that we showed in the second half and go from there.”
Forest, with former Wolves star Morgan Gibbs-White impressive, appeared in control of this peculiar contest with Johnson’s fine 38th-minute finish breaking the deadlock for his eighth Premier League goal of the campaign.
Kavanagh, who had overseen a difficult Manchester United v Fulham FA Cup tie, where he dismissed Willian and Aleksandar Mitrovic as well as sending Marco Silva to the stands, had another tough afternoon.
He red carded Forest assistant Alan Tate and Wolves No2 Pablo Sanz as tempers flared.
Podence went on to level seven minutes from the end but then appeared to spit at Johnson.
VAR operator Neil Swarbrick did not have conclusive footage to send off the Portuguese but the FA are now looking at further evidence.
Johnson told broadcasters: “I felt like some sort of spit come towards my face but it’s done now.”
Kilman said: “To be honest, I didn’t see it. I highly doubt he’d do something like that.”
Podence, following his 100th Wolves appearance, turned down requests to discuss the allegation.
But he told club media: “I played against them last year in the Carabao Cup and this year the refs have been brutal in terms of decision, they’re very complicated against us, and made us feel frustrated too.
“We are fighting against good players and of course Morgan and he likes to provoke our fans and that’s what we do on the pitch. It’s very difficult to explain this rivalry.”
Wolves must do without captain Ruben Neves for the home games with Chelsea and Brentford.
Picked
The midfielder picked up his 10th yellow card of the season and has been hit with a two-game ban.
But Kilman said: “Everyone knows how amazing Ruben is as a player, but we need to keep going and whoever replaces him needs to do a good job.
“Everyone knows what we need to do.
“We need to stay calm, the players and the fans.”
Forest’s attack threatened against Wolves with Johnson scoring and Morgan Gibbs-White starring in a man of the match display.
Forest striker Emmanuel Dennis, meanwhile, admits his lack of goals are getting him down.
The ex-Watford striker has found the net just twice for Nottingham Forest this season.
He missed two decent chances on Saturday and said: “Of course I’m frustrated and getting angry.
“I need to contribute and give to the team.”
Forest’s last win came on February 5 against Leeds. They now travel to Elland Road tomorrow desperate for another. FOREST (4-3-3): Navas 6; Williams 6, Felipe 7, Niakhite 6, Toffolo 7 (Lodi 61, 6); Freuler 6, Dailo 6 (Awoniyi 86), Mangala 6 (Kouyate 86); Johnson 8, Dennis 6 (Worrall 66, 6), GIBBS-WHITE 8. Subs: Hennessey, Shelvey, Colback, Awoniyi, Surridge, Kouyate, Ayew. WOLVES (4-2-3-1): Sa 7; Semedo 6, Dawson 6 (Bueno 65, 6), Kilman 7, Gomes 6; Neves 6, Lemina 5 (Sarabia 46, 6); Traore 5 (Costa 65, 6), Moutinho 5 (Podence 46, 7), Nunes 6; Cunha 5 (Neto 81). Subs: Bentley, Collins, Jimenez, Gomes.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh 4