Lee Johnson: Wolves winner should not have stood

His Robins were knocked out of the FA Cup by Ivan Cavaleiro’s cool finish, which was set up by Matt Doherty.

But Johnson was adamant wing-back Doherty handled the ball just before his cut-back to the Portuguese striker, and compared Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to the exhibition basketball team.

“It was a good Premier League test for us and we stood up well to many elements of it and some we fell short, although I did feel it was a handball for the goal," he said.

“I wasn’t sure if we were playing Wolves or the Harlem Globetrotters at one point. There were three handballs – when (Willy) Boly received it from the goalkeeper as well.

“The referees, at least they were consistent with it.

“But what disappointed me was the goal. It was clear, although it was a ricochet, it laid the ball perfectly in the path for Doherty to square into an area where we didn’t have players recovering anywhere near quick enough.”

The previous meeting between the two teams at Ashton Gate was a fiery encounter, with Nuno famously celebration Ryan Bennett’s late winner in the directors’ box after being sent off.

And an altercation took place during half time of this one, with City assistant Jamie McAllister being booked because of it.

On the incident, Johnson said: “To be fair, they’re a fiery bench.

“And we’re a fiery bench as well. It was a bit of handbags, to be honest.

“I don’t actually know what started it, but it’s nothing.”

Nuno said on the scuffle in the tunnel: “Yes, I was there. The referee told us he had a warning.”

And he joked: “I was not part of it. This time, I was not in trouble!”