AliousWolves took on Bournemouth in a crucial Premier League clash, and a game-changing decision had a major impact on the outcome.
Despite historically strong performances away at Bournemouth, Vitor Pereira knew this would be a tough battle.
The Cherries entered the match sitting in fifth place, just a point behind Manchester City, while Wolves were dangerously close to the relegation zone, only two points clear of the bottom three.
With Leicester City suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Brentford the night before, this fixture gave Wolves an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone.
However, Wolves fans had reason to be uneasy about VAR official Stuart Attwell, whose controversial decision in last season’s fixture had cost them a crucial point.
But this time, Attwell made a call that ultimately worked in Wolves’ favor.
Why Illia Zabarnyi Was Sent Off Against Wolves
The game at the Vitality Stadium was evenly matched in the opening stages, with both teams testing the goalkeepers.
Kepa Arrizabalaga made a fantastic save to deny Nelson Semedo’s effort, while Jose Sa was also called into action at the other end.
However, the turning point came when Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Initially, referee Michael Salisbury showed the Ukrainian a yellow card, but after a VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a red.
The challenge was deemed high and reckless, reducing Bournemouth to 10 men and shifting the momentum firmly in Wolves’ favor.
Redemption for Wolves After Last Season’s Controversy
In April 2024, Bournemouth secured a 1-0 victory over Wolves in highly controversial circumstances.
Hwang Hee-chan’s equalizing goal was disallowed after Matheus Cunha was judged to have fouled Justin Kluivert in the build-up—a decision that left Wolves feeling robbed, especially after replays showed minimal contact.
This time, VAR official Attwell found himself at the center of another major decision.
But unlike last season, his intervention—upgrading Zabarnyi’s yellow card to a red—worked in Wolves’ favor, providing a sense of redemption for their frustrated fanbase.
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