Nuno Santo believes the referee was right to send Willy Boly off
Willy Boly was sent off for a rash challenge on Bernardo Silva in Wolves’ 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad in the Premier League on Monday night and manager Nuno Espirito Santo felt that it was a fair call by the referee.
Boly appeared to be successful in his attempt to win the ball as he went into an audacious challenge on Bernardo Silva but he caught the Portuguese international on his ankle with his studs on the follow through.
Wolves were already a goal down prior to the red card incident and they failed to muster any meaningful reply after the sending off.
Gabriel Jesus added the second from the penalty spot before Conor Coady’s own goal made the scoreline more resounding in favour of Pep Guardiola’s side.
And Nuno Santo, who was very close to the red card incident, confirmed that he had absolutely no problems with the referee dishing out a red card for the reckless challenge.
“It’s very close to me and I think it’s a clear red card,” the Wolves boss told a news conference.
“Not only the red card changed the game, but the way we conceded with a long pass. The red card makes the task much harder.
“You know it is difficult to stop them but you try to avoid certain situations – and it was a 30-yard pass so we must improve.
“But you do not make a game plan with one less man.”
Nuno hopes Wolves can learn a lesson from their loss to City, Jesus adding his second goal from the penalty spot before a late Conor Coady own goal wrapped up the scoring.
“Sad, disappointed, we have to look at the game, knowing what happened,” he said. “We started well, we conceded a way we shouldn’t.
“Then the red card, you stay in the game but City with their speed, we have to be realistic. The only positive is to say it was an experience, it can happen.
“With one man less, the game still has something to do. We have to improve. we knew it was tough and it became harder.”
