Wolverhampton Wanderers will be without their star player when they host Everton next week. Matheus Cunha is integral to the side, both as a goalscorer and creative force.
The 25-year-old – who ripped apart the Blues on their last trip to Molineux – will be unable to repeat that feat next weekend after being sent off amid extraordinary scenes in his side’s FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth.
Cunha was shown a straight red card after clashing with Milos Kerke. The forward appeared to kick out at the Cherries full-back before aiming a headbutt in his direction. Once sent off, he failed to calm down, having to be dragged down the tunnel by club staff
Wolves – who had forced extra-time through Cunha’s stunning second-half strike – went on to lose a penalty shoot-out the Brazilian would otherwise have been central to.
His antics mean he will be banned for at least the next three matches, starting with the visit of Everton next Saturday night (8pm kick-off). It is a hammer blow for Wolves, who have pulled five points clear of the bottom three but will now be without their best player for key games against teams close to them in the table, including Southampton and West Ham United.
His suspension will provide a boost for Everton, who Cunha dismantled when Wolves overcame them over the festive period last season.
The 25-year-old, who has 13 league goals this season, was a target for the Blues under Frank Lampard before Wolves joined the race for his signature and blew the competition away by agreeing to a big money fee with Atletico Madrid, his former club.
For all his talent, his temper has proven to be a liability – Cunha was given a two-match ban earlier this season after clashing with a member of staff from Ipswich Town.
