Cesar Peixoto left fuming with one thing after Wolves draw v Birmingham City

Benedict is an EFL-accredited self-publishing writer and sub-editor for FLW, covering all three divisions whilst strongly focusing on developments at clubs in the West Midlands.

Benedict graduated with a 2:1 (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism at the University of Wolverhampton in September 2024, before achieving a Merit in MA Sports Journalism at Coventry University in 2025.

He previously covered Rugby League and non-league football matches for various sites, and worked as an intern with Wolves' Academy between 2023 and 2025.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Cesar Peixoto was left displeased with Jay Stansfield's initial opener in Sunday's entertaining 2-2 draw in the West Midlands derby with Birmingham City at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

Speaking in his post-match assessment of the thrilling encounter between Blues and Wolves, which was unsurprisingly selected for national television coverage, the 46-year-old believed the forward's stunning strike would have been ruled out by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) if it was able to intervene in Championship matches.

Championship Table (07/09/26)

The high-scoring contest means Wolves' mixed start to the season continues, having previously been defeated 4-2 by West Ham United in midweek, albeit Peixoto's side do remain one of the division's early-season entertainers by scoring 13 goals in their opening five matches.

The first meeting between Birmingham and Wolves in over eight years was certainly full of talking points, none more so than Jackson Tchatchoua's comical own goal nine minutes before half-time.

Fer Lopez initially gave the Old Gold and Black the lead after just three minutes by turning home Rodrigo Gomes' cross, before Stansfield netted his first goal of the season with a powerful strike past Jose Sa.

Ladislav Krejčí then powered home a close-range header on the half-hour mark before the aforementioned mix-up between Tchatchoua and Sa, although there have certainly been questions raised over how Birmingham's club-record signing, Stansfield, initially levelled the scores on 22 minutes.

After receiving a fine assist from Patrick Roberts, it has been claimed that the 23-year-old controlled the ball with his hand before finding target.

With Peixoto previously working in Liga Portugal, which incorporates VAR, he then claimed that the need for such technology in the Championship is needed.

"I don't blame the referees because they don't always see, but VAR is very important to be more fair in the game," said the Wolves boss.

"We don't have VAR in the Championship but I think it's very important to help referees make the best decisions.

"I saw a handball and on the screen I saw handball, but the referee didn't whistle and that's it," he added.

With bragging rights on the line, as well as a potential crucial three points in the promotion picture due to the expectations set upon Wolves and Birmingham this season, many have agreed with Peixoto's stance.

Responding to Wolves' update on the goal, one supporter said: "With his arm to control it."

Another disgruntled fan added: "Looked like handball?"

"Surely a ban for their striker. That is ridiculous how the linesman hasn’t spotted blatant cheating," was another verdict from a frustrated Wolves supporter.

However, not all fans' first thoughts were on the handball, with another response reading: "Honestly, how bad are we at the back. It’s laughable."

Did you think Jay Stansfield's goal for Birmingham City v Wolves should have been ruled out? Comment below!

On top of these opinions, former Blues defender, Curtis Davies, later said on Sky Sports: "It comes in so quick, it's off his arm, off his chest and it goes in.

"So it's unfortunate for Wolves of course, it's that kind of inbetween area. Because his arm is outstretched, it definitely looks like a handball."

VAR has split opinions ever since it was first utilised in the Premier League at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, whilst it has also been in use for EFL play-off finals at Wembley Stadium since 2022.

However, Peixoto isn't the only Championship manager to urge officials to introduce such assistance sooner rather than later, with Norwich City boss, Philippe Clement, recently naming 81 countries which use VAR after Aune Heggebo's controversial goal was not spotted as West Bromwich Albion left Carrow Road 2-1 victors on the opening day.

The Norwegian striker later received a two-match ban for misconduct contrary to the FA's E3.1 rule, which sparked mass debate in itself, whilst supporters of the division's 24 teams have largely opposed the addition of VAR.

That said, Wolves' leveller against Blackburn Rovers in the season's curtain-raiser could have also had a different outcome as Ryan Alebiosu was adjudged to have handled a deep Tchatchoua cross from just inside the 18-yard box.