Wolves fans are still gutted this morning following Saturday’s defeat in the FA Cup to Coventry City – and Lee Naylor was surprised at what Mario Lemina did just before their equaliser in injury-time at Molineux.
Wanderers crashed out after losing 3-2 to the Championship side.
Ellis Simms opened the scoring, bundling the ball in with what looked to be his arm. However, the goal was still awarded after a lengthy VAR review.
Goals from Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hugo Bueno then put Wolves in a great position to see out the game.
But Coventry found an equaliser through Simms, before Hagi Wright grabbed a winner right at the death.
It was a very difficult one to stomach, but Gary O’Neil admitted after the game that Coventry were the better team. He was adamant though that his players gave everything.
Nevertheless, it was frustrating because Wolves were minutes away from victory – but some questionable decisions were made…
Lee Naylor questions what Mario Lemina did just before Coventry scored to make it 2-2
Many Wolves fans thought the game was done when Bueno had scored late on.
Surely, that would have dealt a crushing blow to Coventry.
But to their credit, they came back and they do deserve their place in the last four.
Molineux legend Lee Naylor watched the game for Matchday Live Extra, and was really surprised to see what Mario Lemina did just before the Coventry equaliser for 2-2 by Simms.
He said: “Initially it was great work from (Leon) Chiwome. He brought it back into his own half and then Lemina took over and really he didn’t need to. Then I thought ‘OK, you’ve taken over now clear your lines, get it down the line, get your old head on and play the percentages’.
“Instead he tries a flick through his legs, which didn’t go well. Ends up trying to make up for his mistake, couldn’t get back in and they end up, from that phase of play, going and scoring from it. Moments like that, they’re unforgivable those moments. Managers don’t like that sort of thing. Especially from your most experienced boys. You just don’t expect it, it’s a sore one to take.”
Silly from Lemina, but it’s not solely his fault
Lemina will no doubt regret trying to flick the ball away in that moment and turning over possession.
It was an odd decision from the £10 million experienced Gabon international, but that Coventry equaliser did not come about solely because of him.
Wolves then had a couple of chances to clear the danger, with Santi Bueno producing an awful clearance that allowed Coventry to come back on the attack. Nelson Semedo may also have done better in preventing the cross that came in.
Wolves fans cannot be too frustrated with Lemina. He’s been sensational this season, and did front up after the game with the message he posted on Instagram.