Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has condemned the "hard challenges" endured by his players in last night's feisty victory over Birmingham City.

The Blues were down to 10 men in the 83rd minute when Harlee Dean saw red for a clash with Diogo Jota, who was also on the receiving end of an aggressive challenge by Marc Roberts.

While Nuno was aggrieved by the behaviour of the opposing side, he did however admit that the referee doled out punishment where it was due.

"I'm not against aggressive play as long as you are fair but going from behind into the back of a player is not being fair and that can cause injury to the player," he told reporters.

"I felt the referee did well. He managed the game well by booking the players that made these kind of situations.

"As long as the football is under the law of the referee, I'm not worried. I truly believe there is no manager saying directly to a player to go and kick, I don't believe it.

"As long as the referee is there and does his job, I am not worried about this."

Victory for Wolves - secured by a Leo Bonatini goal - was their sixth on the trot and gives them a four-point lead over second-placed Cardiff City in the Championship table.