‘He dived, that’s the only explanation for it’ - Wolves defender Jody Craddock blasts Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson

Wolves defender Jody Craddock has blasted Sunderland winger Sebastian Larsson for diving, after the Swede was controversially awarded a penalty during Sunday’s clash at Molineux.

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Referee Phil Dowd gave Larsson the spot-kick – which he subsequently missed – after the 26-year-old went down following Craddock’s challenge.

However, replays showed the defender made minimal contact with the player, and despite the home side going on to win 2-1, the former Sunderland man was less than happy with Larsson's simulation.

“I never touched Larsson,” Craddock told reporters. “There was no contact whatsoever.

“It was really frustrating because he’s a professional and that sort of stuff really gets to me.

“He dived, that’s the only explanation for it. Yes I did put my leg out, but then I tried to take my leg away but, if he’d have actually run into it, he’d have got the penalty anyway.

“But he didn’t. He dived before that. I said a few choice words but what can you do?

“I was angry and shouting but the ref had already given a penalty so nothing I was saying could have changed it.

“You see it on TV. I was nowhere near him. But it’s swings and roundabouts because Wayne [Hennessey] saved it and we ended up scoring straight afterwards so maybe a bit of justice was done.”

It was Craddock’s first Premier League start of the season, and unfortunately he was forced to leave the field shortly after the award of the penalty due to injury.

“I hurt my hamstring 10 seconds before the penalty which was really frustrating from my point of view. I’ll just have to see how it is.”