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ANTHONY TAYLOR made himself the headline act once again as Arsene Wenger’s least favourite official went red card crazy.

Ref Taylor showed a 40th minute straight red to Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre for a crude studs up lunge at Swansea winger Nathan Dyer.

 Leroy Fer cannot believe it as he is sent off by Anthony Taylor
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Leroy Fer cannot believe it as he is sent off by Anthony TaylorCredit: Getty Images

And he evened things up when he then dismissed Swansea midfielder Leroy Fer for bringing down Helder Costa with a cynical foul on the halfway line.

Championship leaders Wolves had been totally untroubled by their struggling rivals until Vinagre overran the ball right in front of the managers’ technical areas and then lunged in at Dyer as he tried to retrieve possession.

Taylor had no doubt that it was a reckless challenge and reached straight for his red card as Dyer writhed in agony after being caught by Vinagre’s studs.

The dismissal changed the complexion of this disappointing Cup tie as Wolves were forced onto the back foot by their numerical disadvantage.

 Ruben Vinagre was shown red in the first half
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Ruben Vinagre was shown red in the first halfCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Leroy Fer looks incredulous after being given his marching orders
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Leroy Fer looks incredulous after being given his marching ordersCredit: PA:Press Association

They had totally dominated up to that point, with Swansea keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt forced into a series of crucial saves by Bright Enobakhare, Morgan Gibbs-White and Helder Costa.

Enobakhare also missed a fine opportunity to break the deadlock when he fired wide after Nordfeldt was unsettled by the physical presence of Alfred N’Diaye.


'SEND HIM BACK' Renato Sanches 'jeered' as he gets subbed off after just 34 minutes


Swansea’s only response up to that point was a Martin Olsson fre e-kick which clipped the bar minutes before Vinagre’s departure.

But even with the extra player the Premier League’s basement team were unable to take control and surrendered the initiative when Fer was sent-off midway through the second-half.

 Renato Sanches was subbed off after just 34 minutes
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Renato Sanches was subbed off after just 34 minutesCredit: Reuters
 Anthony Taylor was the centre of attention
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Anthony Taylor was the centre of attentionCredit: Reuters

INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared

INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS– CLICK on a player’s number below to see their stats

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