Diego Costa of Wolverhampton Wanderer became a peacemaker after his teammate Matheus Nunes was given a red card during their 4-2 loss to Leeds United on Saturday, 18th of March, 2023.
The 34-year-old former Chelsea striker Diego Costa joined Wolves on a free transfer leaving Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in the summer of 2022 on a deal until the end of the current season.
He was pictured holding Nunes who lost his cool with referee Michael Salisbury.
Matheus Nunes, the Portugal International saw a red card in stoppage time after he appeared to push a linesman while complaining about Leeds United’s controversial fourth goal.
Meanwhile, Wolves had already seen their left back Jonny sent off in the dying embers when the scoreline was 3-2 in favor of Leeds United.
Michael Salisbury first cautioned the Spanish but was persuaded by Video Assistant Referee, David Coote to have a second look at the replay, at which point he pulled out a red card and sent Jonny off the field.
The purpose for Nunes’ anger was referee Michael Salisbury’s decision to permit Rodrigo’s injury-time fourth goal for Leeds obeying a VAR check, although there appears to be a shift pull on Wolves player Adama Traore at the start of the buildup.
Wolves’ manager Julen Lopetegui and captain Ruben Neves addressed the officials and appealed for an explanation on the Molineux pitch after the final whistle sounded, demonstrating the team’s fury.
Moreover, he (Julen Lopetequi) argued that the official had pushed into Nunes rather than the other way about and that the Black Country club would be filing an appeal.
Lopetegui will also be curious to learn what went wrong for his squad in a game they were expected to win.
The Whites jumped off to an early three-goal lead with two goals from Jack Harrison, Luke Ayling, and Rasmus Kristensen.
Wolves came back from being 3 goals down thanks to Jonny and Matheus Cunha, but they still needed snooker because of their poor defense, and their comeback bid fizzled when they were down to 10 players.
With the win, Leeds climbed out of the relegation zone, but Wolves was so incensed that many members of Julen Lopetegui’s coaching staff asked to meet with Salisbury after the game.
Exactly one year ago, Leeds rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on a goal by Ayling in stoppage time.
An exciting victory in a game that might have gone any way keeps Gracia’s squad only a point and a position behind Wolves with a game in hand.
The losing side on Saturday has improved under Lopetegui, but home losses to Bournemouth and Leeds have prevented them from breaking away.
The survival fight that has seen them only three points above the relegation zone has nearly erased a four-point advantage to the visitors.
What’s next for Wolverhampton Wanderers?
Lopetegui men will be looking forward to bouncing back from the defeat they suffered on Saturday when they face Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League on Saturday, April 1st, 2023.
