Bournemouth Hammer Wolves 4-2
Justin Kluivert became the first player in 67 years to score a hat-trick of penalties in an English top-flight game as his treble saw off Wolves and piled the pressure on home boss Gary O’Neil.
In a remarkable and thrilling match at Molineux, Evanilson also became the first player in Premier League history to win three spot-kicks in the same match.
It only took Bournemouth three minutes before they took a controversial lead.
Evanilson had been fouled by Toti Gomes with a penalty awarded, although O’Neil was insistent the Brazilian had handled the ball before being brought down.
The incident was checked by the video assistant referee (VAR), but the decision stood with Kluivert calmly sending Jose Sa the wrong way.
Bournemouth’s lead lasted only two minutes as Wolves equalised through Jorgen Strand Larsen’s superb diving header from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s cross from the right.
But the Cherries, who had lost their past two games, retook the lead with the third goal in the opening eight minutes. The overlapping Milos Kerkez got it, firing into the roof of the net after being played in by Marcus Tavernier.
There was more VAR drama as Bournemouth went further ahead in the 18th minute.
Sa had taken a heavy first touch following a backpass, Evanilson got to the ball first and Sa kicked the back of the striker’s ankle.
On-pitch referee Peter Bankes missed the incident, but, after watching the incident on a pitchside monitor, pointed to the spot, with Kluivert converting his second penalty of the match.
Strand Larsen collected Matheus Cunha’s pass to pull one back, only for Bournemouth to get a third penalty moment later – Sa fouling Evanilson.
Kluivert again showed his composure from 12 yards to become the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in an English top-flight game since Ken Barnes for Manchester City in their 6-2 win over Everton at Maine Road on 7 December 1957.
Jose Sa was involved in a confrontation with a Wolves supporter at the end of the first half
The loss sees Wolves drop into the Premier League relegation zone, falling below Crystal Palace, who drew 1-1 with Newcastle, to put O’Neil back under pressure.
Earlier this month, some Wolves fans chanted “you don’t know what you’re doing” at O’Neil when he made a triple substitution in the 2-2 home draw with Palace.
Wolves came into this match four games unbeaten, having won 4-1 at Fulham last time out, but the home fans again showed their displeasure, booing the team off at the end of the match.
There was also an ugly incident at half-time as Sa confronted a Wolves fan, with two supporters forcibly removed from the stand by stewards.
Bournemouth’s win comes after two successive defeats and means the Cherries claim a win over their former boss. In stoppage time the away supporters chanted “Gary, what’s the score” – with some home fans joining in on a miserable day for the hosts.
