Matheus Cunha: How costly will forward's red card prove for Wolves?

Wolves' defeat to Bournemouth in the FA Cup fifth round is undoubtedly a disappointing blow. However, of greater concern is that the team's key striker, Matheus Cunha, will be suspended due to a red card, ruling him out of at least three Premier League matches.

The 25-year-old was sent off in the final minute of extra time for clashing with Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, having to be helped off the pitch and therefore unable to participate in the subsequent penalty shootout. Cunha's departure undoubtedly represents a huge loss to Wolves' attack.

Wolves manager Vitor Pereira said: "Of course, emotions were running high at the time, not only on the pitch but also on the bench and in the stands, with pressure everywhere. In the end, things happened. Although it shouldn't have happened, it's part of football."

During the 120 minutes of play, Evanilson put Bournemouth ahead, before Cunha equalized with a brilliant 30-yard strike. However, Cunha's performance went from magical to madness, and his red card will leave his team – currently fourth from bottom in the Premier League – without their best player in a crucial relegation battle.

Cunha clashed with Kerkez on several occasions, including fighting, kicking the Hungarian defender while he was on the ground, and attempting to headbutt him after Kerkez stood up. After being pulled away by teammates, referee Sam Barrott eventually showed him a red card, but an angry Cunha refused to leave the field and had to be escorted and pushed down the players' tunnel. Due to the violent conduct, he will be suspended for three games, but considering the seriousness of the incident and his previous two-game ban for clashing with Ipswich Town security staff, a further suspension cannot be ruled out.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said on "Match of the Day": "The ability he has is top-class, the goal he scored was like a Champions League goal, but then suddenly we saw the ugly side. I haven't seen anything like that on a football pitch since the 1970s – he completely lost control. The referee had to send him off. They couldn't get him off the pitch. That's the ugly part, and he has to stop that behavior. Wolves need points to stay up. His absence will be a huge loss."

Wolves' upcoming schedule is relatively favorable, facing teams in the bottom half of the Premier League. But Cunha will definitely miss the games against Everton, bottom-placed Southampton, and West Ham United, followed by a match against third-from-bottom Ipswich on April 5. After winning two of their last four league games, Wolves are already five points ahead of Ipswich and Leicester City. But losing the team's talisman, Cunha, will be a huge blow, as he is the team's top scorer with 13 league goals and has been the inspiration for the team's attack this season.

Cunha has been linked with big-money moves to top European clubs in the past year, but his misconduct may now cast him as an unstable element. In addition to his aggressive performance at Bournemouth, in an unpleasant incident earlier this season at Ipswich, Cunha elbowed a staff member at Portman Road before snatching his glasses. It is understood that the Brazilian forward has a £62.5 million release clause in his contract, which may also deter those hoping to sign him in the summer transfer window.

Wolves manager Pereira told BBC's "Match of the Day": "When the situation happened, I was looking for the ball. That means I didn't see what happened, but football is passionate, and the level today is very high. Not only inside the pitch, but also outside the pitch. There is pressure everywhere, and in the end, these things can happen. You know he is frustrated now, and I think he is better now. When everyone is nervous or frustrated, I never speak with the team. It's better to wait one day and think about everything. After that, we can have a conversation. Of course, he is an important player, but for the next game, we will still play with 11 players."

In the post-match press conference, he added: "Matheus is a special player, and today he played extra time. For the last three weeks, he has had a problem with his hamstring, but he has been working hard. I didn't see the situation. Don't ask me about this because I was looking at the other side. In the end, the referee decided to show the red card." When asked if Cunha should get another chance, Pereira added: "Of course, he is important, but I cannot talk about something I don't know. The important thing is to check the situation and see what happened because I was looking at the other side. Other people told me he kicked, he punched, he headbutted, and then that player went to the hospital? No, okay. But this situation cannot happen, of course. To judge the situation, I have to have a clear picture in my mind."

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola criticized the decision to show Kerkez a yellow card. It was the defender's second yellow card in the FA Cup this season, meaning he will be banned from the quarter-final. Iraola said: "Milos Kerkez received a yellow card for having an aggressive attitude. After what they did to Milos Kerkez, they should reward him for the attitude he showed. They punched him, kicked him on the ground, headbutted him, and he didn't react! You punish this? I had to tell Milos that maybe I couldn't do as well as him as a player. The reward is they showed him a yellow card, and he will not be able to play in the quarter-final. Yes, I am very disappointed with the referee's decision."