Nuno Espirito Santo could face further punishment from the FA after red card following Wolves' winner

Nuno Espirito Santo the head coach / manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers joins in the celebrations after Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers scored a goal to make it 4-3 
Nuno will not contest any charge coming his way Credit: Getty Images

Nuno Espirito Santo could face further punishment by the Football Association after being sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh.

The Wolves head coach was dismissed by Kavanagh for running onto the pitch to celebrate with his players after Diogo Jota’s dramatic winner in the 94th minute.

Kavanagh was the referee who failed to send Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to the stands for entering the field to hug goalkeeper Alisson Becker after the winning goal against Everton in December.

The FA will receive Kavanagh’s report from the game on Monday and Nuno could be charged with misconduct if they decide further sanctions are necessary.

Nuno admitted after Saturday’s crazy Midlands derby that he accepted his dismissal, and it is understood he would not contest any charge.

Jota, the youngest Portuguese player to score a Premier League hat-trick, said: “I was down on the pitch celebrating and I heard something and I thought ‘who is this guy!’

Nuno Espirito Santo the head coach / manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers is sent off for his goal celebrations during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City at Molineux on January 19, 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Referee Chris Kavanagh sends the Wolves manager to the stands Credit: Getty Images

“Then I saw him get up and run away. In games like this everyone goes crazy. The feelings go high and it is hard to control. 

“It is hard to control your feelings in a game like this. When you score the winning goal in the last minute he [Nuno] couldn't control his emotions.”

Jota’s hat-trick in added time completed a remarkable, unpredictable thrilling derby at Molineux, a repeat of the scoreline when the two clubs met in October 2003.

The former Porto attacker scored the first from close-range before Ryan Bennett exposed poor defending to seemingly put Wolves in control.

But Leicester responded strongly in the second half to bring the scores level after Demarai Gray’s solo effort and Conor Coady’s own goal, before Jota added a third for the home team.

Wes Morgan equalised again for Leicester before Jota claimed the winner to become the first Wolves player to score a top-flight hat-trick since the legendary John Richards in 1977.

Jota said: “It is a special feeling. I have been injured this season so it has not been easy for me but Saturday was one of the greatest days of my life.

“For me now it is a good moment. I am able to do what I always want to do. You need to be strong in that moment. You know you are able to do more but you just can't.

“I will keep the match ball in my own home, in a proper spot for good things in football.”

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