Santo: Boly did not try to hurt Perez

NUNO Espirito Santo has insisted Willy Boly would not dream of hurting an opponent – despite TV replays showing he almost elbowed Ayoze Perez out of the game against Wolves.

Referee Mike Dean failed to produce either a red card or award a penalty after the incident during the Magpies’ 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park.

Wolves manager Santo told a packed press conference the player had no intention of inflicting an injury on Perez.

He said: “No, honestly, honestly. I saw. It was an elbow, it was a clear elbow on Ayoze.

“From my point of view, not being over-protective, he (Boly) jumps for the ball and he does not see him, so it is not intentional.

“More importantly, it is about the game.

“Credit to Newcastle, all my respect for Rafa, I really admire him as a coach.

“It is a tough job. Lose or win, we have to focus on our part, which is to manage and coach teams. Let the referees do their jobs.”

Santo also insisted Dean was correct to send off DeAndre Yedlin in an incident which changed the game.

He said: “I saw the images, I have been asked about it.

“Honestly – with all my respect, which is a lot, for Rafa, the law is clear.

“You can argue if Jamaal Lascelles can arrive on time to avoid the one-v-one of Diogo with the goalkeeper. I don’t think so.

“Honestly, I have seen it and I don’t think so.

“I think Diogo is clear one-v-one with the goalkeeper, so the law is clear and it is a red card.”

Reflecting on his team’s determination, Santo added: “It’s very difficult to play against 10, but credit to Newcastle.

“They did not sit down, they created problems, so it was a very tough, tough game.

“St James’ Park is very, very difficult to come to and compete like we did, so well done to Newcastle.”