Getty Images
Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth booked a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for only the third time in their history with a penalty shootout victory over Wolves, who had goalscorer Matheus Cunha sent off.
Luis Sinisterra was the Cherries’ hero at Vitality Stadium after the fifth-round tie had ended 1-1 after extra time, converting the winning kick after Boubacar Traore, Matt Doherty and Dean Huijsen had missed.
The shootout drama came minutes after Cunha was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Milos Kerkez while the defender was on the ground – and aiming a headbutt at the Hungarian after he had got back to his feet.
Bournemouth shaded the first half and striker Evanilson, making his first start since suffering a broken foot at Everton in early January, put them ahead on the half-hour mark after Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone parried Antoine Semenyo’s initial effort.
The hosts thought they had doubled their advantage when Kerkez bundled home at the far post five minutes later, but the goal was disallowed for offside following an eight-minute check by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Midfielder Alex Scott also had a first-half effort chalked off after using his left hand to help Kerkez’s low cross over the line, before a sensational long-range strike from Cunha brought Wolves level.
Andoni Iraola’s side dominated the additional 30 minutes, with Tyler Adams sending a powerful shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box and firm headers from Sinisterra and Lewis Cook brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Johnstone before Cunha’s dismissal.
Huijsen was first to miss from 12 yards in the shootout, but Doherty slid the next spot-kick wide of the target. Traore then fired his effort against the underside of the woodwork, allowing Sinisterra to secure his side’s place in the quarter-finals.
The draw for the last eight will take place after Sunday’s tie between Manchester United and Fulham, which kicks off at 16:30 GMT.
VAR controversy as Cherries are put on the spot
Eager to make amends for last weekend’s 1-0 Premier League defeat at home to Vitor Pereira’s side, Bournemouth started on the front foot.
But they could not fashion a shot on target until Johnstone parried Semenyo’s low drive into the path of Evanilson, who was left with a simple finish on the rebound.
The opener appeared to re-energise the home side, who had the ball in the net again when Kerkez and Huijsen combined to bundle home an inswinging David Brooks’ corner.
VAR reviewed the goal for eight minutes, initially ruling neither defender had used an arm to help the ball over the line before shifting their focus to whether it should be disallowed for offside.
Semi-automated offside technology is being used this season in fifth-round ties taking place at Premier League stadiums, but the complexity of the situation meant crosshairs were drawn instead to determine Huijsen was in an offside position from Kerkez’s touch.
The second half was a more scrappy affair – with the notable exception of Cunha’s stunning strike – as neither team managed to find a winner before the end of 90 minutes.
After failing to find a way past the impressive Johnstone in extra time, it looked as if Bournemouth’s FA Cup journey was coming to an end when Huijsen’s tame effort was saved by the Wolves keeper.
But Doherty and Traore failed to hit the target with their attempts and Sinisterra made no mistake with his, as Bournemouth reached the last eight for the third time after 1957 and 2021.
Cunha turns from hero to villain
Getty Images
Aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the second season in succession, Wolves had chances to go in front themselves.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde had a shot deflected wide by Wolves’ full debutant Nasser Djiga, while Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen failed to get a decisive touch on Cunha’s delivery from the left.
While they were fortunate not to be further behind at half-time, Cunha produced a moment of inspiration to bring the visitors back on level terms – and not for the first time this season.
The mercurial Brazilian collected Santiago Bueno’s pass before steadying himself and rifling a venomous, swerving shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga – his 15th strike of the season in all competitions.
However, Cunha’s fine work was undone when he needlessly squared up to Kerkez after tangling with the full-back, who had initially pulled at his shirt.
The 25-year-old – who was charged with misconduct by the Football Association following Wolves’ 2-1 defeat by Ipswich in December – needed to be restrained by his own team-mates before being escorted off the pitch, leaving his side with 10 men for the final stages of extra time and without their main penalty-taker.
Wolves could have used his ability in the shootout as Doherty and Traore’s missed efforts ultimately proved costly.
The Player Rater cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable JavaScript or try another browser.
Player of the match
J. Kluivert
7.18
19 J. Kluivert
7.18
24 A. Semenyo
6.97
17 L. Sinisterra
6.70
9 Evanilson
6.68
11 D. Ouattara
6.63
13 Kepa
6.56
8 A. Scott
6.51
4 L. Cook
6.48
7 D. Brooks
6.45
16 M. Tavernier
6.42
2 Dean Huijsen
6.40
12 T. Adams
6.32
21 D. Jebbison
6.27
3 M. Kerkez
6.26
23 J. Hill
6.16
31 S. Johnstone
6.56
8 João Gomes
6.40
24 Toti Gomes
6.38
3 R. Aït-Nouri
6.22
27 J. Bellegarde
6.21
22 Nélson Semedo
6.19
46 A. Pond
6.14
10 Matheus Cunha
6.13
5 M. Munetsi
6.12
9 J. Strand Larsen
6.10
7 André
6.09
4 S. Bueno
6.08
2 M. Doherty
6.03
21 Pablo Sarabia
5.99
34 N. Djiga
5.88
6 B. Traoré
5.88
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
Related topics
Match ends, Bournemouth 1(5), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(4).
Penalty Shootout ends, Bournemouth 1(5), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(4).
Goal! Bournemouth 1(5), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(4). Luis Sinisterra (Bournemouth) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Sam Johnstone (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card.
Penalty missed! Still Bournemouth 1(4), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(4). Boubacar Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers) hits the bar with a right footed shot.
Goal! Bournemouth 1(4), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(4). Lewis Cook (Bournemouth) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
Penalty missed. Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot is close, but misses to the left.
Penalty saved. Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) right footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
Goal! Bournemouth 1(3), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(4). Toti Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the top left corner.
Goal! Bournemouth 1(3), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(3). Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Goal! Bournemouth 1(2), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(3). Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the top right corner.
Goal! Bournemouth 1(2), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(2). Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Goal! Bournemouth 1(1), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(2). André (Wolverhampton Wanderers) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
Goal! Bournemouth 1(1), Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(1). Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal! Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1(1). Jørgen Strand Larsen (Wolverhampton Wanderers) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Penalty Shootout begins Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
Second Half Extra Time ends, Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
Attempt blocked. Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tyler Adams.
Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card.
Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
