Julen Lopetegui has claimed that Wolves' 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United could have been 'very different' if his side were awarded a penalty and Nick Pope was sent off.
It was goalless at St James' Park when Sven Botman played a back pass to Pope in the 20th minute and the goalkeeper's heavy touch allowed Raul Jimenez to nip in. Pope then appeared to bodycheck Jimenez inside the box to send the Wolves striker flying to the ground as he attempted to run through on goal.
Kieran Trippier told Premier League Productions he was a 'bit nervous' that Wolves would have been given a spot-kick, but the Newcastle defender added that 'a few of the lads said he went down too easy'. Eddie Howe, echoing those thoughts, said Jimenez was 'on his way down before Nick touched him', which may have hinted at why referee Andrew Madley did not give the penalty.
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Lopetegui, though, was left aggrieved that VAR did not ask Madley to take a second look on the monitor and the Wolves boss went over to make his point as the official walked off the pitch at full-time.
“It was a very clear penalty and red card, but VAR didn’t do anything and I don’t know why," he told reporters. "It was a pity. We are very unlucky with Andrew at Liverpool and here, too.
“After, they pushed a lot and they are a good team. We balanced the match and deserved more, but it’s true that it could have been different with a penalty.
"It was very clear and it’s a pity because we’re fighting relegation and it was very important. VAR can help more in this case, but the match is finished, we lost and we have to look for the next match. This is done.”
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