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Charlie Bennett

Julen Lopetegui’s VAR criticism blasted as Wolves told they're ‘lucky’ following Leeds United loss

Match of the Day pundits Ashley Williams and Dion Dublin have slammed Julen Lopetegui for his post-match fury towards referee Michael Salisbury. VAR was called into action on several occasions during the thrilling 4-2 Leeds United victory.

With the Whites winning 1-0, Wolverhampton Wanderers felt they should have had a penalty when Junior Firpo challenged Nelson Semedo inside the box. Salisbury waved play on and VAR agreed with his on-field decision.

Later on, Jonny was dismissed for a studs-up tackle on Luke Ayling - a call Lopetegui claimed Wolves may appeal. The dismissal came shortly after Craig Dawson avoided punishment for a similar tackle on Jack Harrison.

READ MORE: Bamford's Aaronson rage, Meslier's Superman frustrations and Leeds United moments missed

Former Everton defender Williams disagreed with Lopetegui’s post-match anger, going as far as to suggest the Wanderers were “lucky” to finish the game with 10 men. He said: “Not today (whether Lopetegui should be angry at the referee). I can understand why in previous games, but today I don't think the arguments were there.

“I think he thought this (Firpo on Semedo) was a penalty. There seems to be some contact from Firpo but not enough. I don't think that warrants (a penalty). Ok, he touches Semedo a bit but I wouldn’t particularly say that’s a penalty. Obviously, the manager is going to say otherwise.

“I feel like Dawson is a bit of a lucky boy to get away with a yellow card on this (foul on Harrison). He ends up just going over the top a little bit and that's right on Harrison's ankle. Wolves have been lucky there.”

Talk of a potential appeal was laughed off by co-pundit Dion Dublin. The ex-Aston Villa man called the foul on Ayling a “career-ending tackle” and was baffled by any suggestion of a reprieve.

“It would be a wasted appeal,” Dublin added. “That is a clear, straight red card. Jonny knows it, (Luke) Ayling knows it, everybody knows it. That is potentially a career-ending tackle if he has his studs in the ground. It's terrible. Such a bad tackle. No way will that get turned around.”

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