The initiation of Rob Edwards’ tenure at Wolves commenced as Crystal Palace visited Molineux, sparking anticipation for a promising performance under their new head coach. The early stages of the match saw the away team assert dominance, with Jean-Philippe Mateta nearly converting a clear chance within the first 15 minutes but sending his shot wide.
A pivotal moment arose in the match, posing a potential penalty scare for Wolves, when David Moller Wolfe’s challenge on Ismaila Sarr prompted a contentious decision by the match officials. The tackle, deemed a foul, occurred on the brink of the penalty area, leaving uncertainty about its exact location. After thorough examination, the VAR officials ultimately decided on awarding a free-kick, prompting reminiscent discussions of a recent incident during the international break.
Reflecting on the contentious call, football pundit Martin Keown highlighted the similarities to a penalty given against Scotland in a recent match, noting the controversial nature of the decision in Wolves vs. Crystal Palace encounter. While the Wanderers might have considered themselves fortunate with this ruling, it marked a shift in fortune regarding VAR decisions in their favor.
However, the match soon saw another significant decision benefit Crystal Palace, to the dismay of Rob Edwards, as Jorgen Strand Larsen was adjudged to have fouled Maxence Lacroix. Had the foul not been called, Larsen would have been through on goal, prompting another round of contentious calls by referee Anthony Taylor.
Ultimately, Crystal Palace left the match feeling aggrieved by the decisions made throughout the game, adding fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding VAR and the consistency of officiating in modern football.
