Riccardo Calafiori fired 10-man Arsenal to a Premier League win at Wolves after Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card.
Referee Michael Oliver’s first-half decision to send off Lewis-Skelly – after he fouled Matt Doherty 30 yards from the hosts’ goal to stop the Wolves defender breaking from a corner – stunned the Gunners.
At 18 years and 121 days, Lewis-Skelly became the third youngest player to be sent off in the Premier League, behind Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
Joao Gomes’ dismissal, for a second yellow card after a foul on Jurrien Timber with 20 minutes left, was more routine but it will be no more than a footnote.
Lewis-Skelly’s red could have had an immediate impact on the title race if the second-placed Gunners dropped points to fall further behind leaders Liverpool, who beat Ipswich 4-1.
But they showed resilience to snatch the victory thanks to Calafiori, on as a substitute following a half-time reshuffle.
The defender’s fine low finish with 16 minutes left kept the Gunners six points adrift of Liverpool.
Myles-Skelly’s 43rd-minute red ignited what had been a forgettable game, with the only early talking point Wolves fans’ chants against owners Fosun, calling on them to “back the team or sell the club” with their side 17th in the table.
Pablo Sarabia volleyed over and Kai Havertz nodded wide before he was denied by Jose Sa.
Havertz again went close after the break with Matheus Cunha threatening twice before Calafiori pounced.