Boss bust-up can’t halt Nuno
BOTH managers were sent off as classy Wolves roared to their biggest win of the season, stretching their lead at the top to seven points in the process.
Wolves boss Nuno and Bolton’s Phil Parkinson went head-to-head in a huge touchline row after David Wheater was booked for clattering foul on Diogo Jota just before halftime.
Angry Nuno went charging off across to the Bolton bench and Parkinson retaliated by twice surging towards Nuno.
Referee Keith Stroud called Parkinson over and sent him off, the second time he has been banished to the stands this season following a bust-up with Sheffield Wednesday’s Carlos Carvalhal.
Nuno was busy talking to a couple of his players when Stroud then came over and told him to join Parkinson.
“We just had an argument on the touchline, it happens every week,” said Parkinson.
“He was an official who seemed very young and inexpeBefore rienced. If managers are going to get sent off for having an argument on the touchline then there will be no managers left in the dugout.
“I was frustrated by how many of them jumped up about Wheater’s tackle and how vociferous they were.”
As punters watching the game, Nuno would have liked what he saw, Parkinson maybe not so as struggling Bolton’s seven game unbeaten run came crashing to an end.
“There is a tackle. I think it is tough and I reacted to it,” said Nuno. There is an argument. Nothing more than that. The referee told us to go.
“I speak now with Phil, we had a good conversation and we sorted it out. We are grown up men and we solved the issue.
“I have to say I am sorry for my behaviour. I have standards. I’m a manager, I’m a person. In society, I respect every human being.”
Wolves were 2-0 up at the time and went on to grab a fifth successive win, with nine goals scored in four days, and they are building a situation where they are dominating the league.
“I will be very surprised if Wolves don’t win this league by ten points,” is Parkinson’s prediction.
Ruben Neves was the inspiration behind this victory, Wolves’ 17 in 23 games in all competitions.
Their first goal after 13 minutes was a bit straight forward for these super Wolves.
Barry Douglas’ corner swung over and Willy Boly was there to head in from close range at the near post.
Their second 13 minutes later was pure class.
Neves hit a pass with the outside of his foot. It was great vision and superb technique that Jota saw, collected, drew Ben Alnwick out of his goal and provided a pass for Leo Bonatini to head in.
It was a cameo of higher status than the Championship and a level of extreme ability that the Premier League will probably be enjoying next season.
What Nuno and Parkinson watched in the second half was Wolves clinching victory with a 62nd-minute Ivan Cavaleiro penalty after Antonee Robinson had gone into the back of Romain Saiss.
Nuno probably kicked the chair in front of him in the 74th minute when Will Buckley toed in a Bolton goal. But no need for any fuss as Cavaleiro smashed in his second late on.