Wolves defender Nathan Collins was shown a straight red card after a reckless challenge on Jack Grealish which saw him thrust his studs into the Manchester City playmaker's midriff.
The incident occurred just over half an hour into Saturday's lunchtime Premier League clash at Molineux, with the hosts already trailing 2-0. Grealish opened the scoring and Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet yet again before Collins, in a moment of madness, leapt off the ground to try and claim a bouncing ball, connecting with the England star's chest.
Referee Anthony Taylor wasted no time before giving the Republic of Ireland international, 23, his marching orders. Collins trudged off the pitch with a dejected expression before pleading his innocence with fourth official Tony Harrington at the touchline, but there was no need for a pitchside monitor check after his brutal tackle.
Wolves fans voiced their displeasure with Grealish after he went down screaming in pain, already harbouring plenty of animosity towards the former Aston Villa captain. The dismissal all but ended the Midlands club's chances of an unlikely comeback against the reigning Premier League champions, who had been thoroughly dominant throughout the first half.
Collins received heavy criticism in the BT Sport studio for his tackle, with former England defenders Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott at a loss trying to explain what the Irishman was attempting to achieve. "He won't have too many questions about it," Ferdinand said of the red card.
"We talked about young defenders today and it was just a rush of blood to the head. I don't know what he was attempting to do there."
Former Wolves defender Lescott added: "He's not attempting to clear it as that's not the technique. Is he trying to stamp it out for a throw in? It's an ugly tackle and I'm confused about what he was trying to do."
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Grealish opened the scoring with less than a minute on the clock after Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne combined on the right flank, with the latter driving to the byline and picking out the Englishman to finish at the back post. City's second goal came in the 16th minute, when Bernardo Silva found Haaland in acres of space in the midfield third.
The in-form Norwegian ace drove to the edge of the area and beat Jose Sa to maintain his astonishing form. Haaland's goal took his tally for the season to 14 goals, meaning he is without doubt the most in-form marksman in Europe's top divisions.
Wolves, meanwhile, remain short of goals and Collins' red card compounded what has been a poor start to the season for Bruno Lage's side.
