Both sides returned to Premier League action at the AMEX Stadium on Monday evening, following outings in the FA Cup. Roberto de Zerbi’s Brighton saw off a spirited Stoke City to progress to the fourth round, while Wolves required a replay and extra-time to get past fellow top-flight side Brentford; setting up a meeting with Black Country rivals West Brom in the next round.
BHA: Steele; Hinshelwood, van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Gilmour, Milner; Buonanotte; Pedro, Ferguson
WOL: Sa; Kilman, Dawson, Toti; Doherty, Lemina, Doyle, Semedo; Neto, Sarabia, Cunha
It was an energetic start from both sides at the AMEX Stadium, albeit with Brighton dominating the ball early on. It would be the home side who saw the first real chance of the game go begging, as Danny Welbeck’s long-range strike was diverted just over the bar via a deflection off Craig Dawson. Facundo Buonanotte then saw a header cleared off the line by Tommy Doyle from the resulting corner.
Down the other end, Pedro Neto tried his luck from long-range, but the Portuguese winger saw his great effort drift just wide of the near post.
Jan Paul van Hecke was the next to test Jose Sa, but his header was seen off by the Wolves goalkeeper. Joao Pedro’s low strike three minutes from the break then saw Sa collect the ball comfortably.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatheus Cunha could have given Wolves the lead right at the start of the second half, but with his first effort saved well by Jason Steele, the Brazilian then sent his rebound just over the bar.
Joao Pedro then had a chance of his own to give the home side the lead up the other end, but his low shot was thwarted at the last minute by Max Kilman.
A Wolves corner moments later saw Pablo Sarabia’s cross in from the right headed away by Danny Welbeck. The ball then fell to Craig Dawson, whose mistimed volley flew well over the bar. Matheus Cunha then raced past an outrunning Jason Steele and was through on goal, but instead took the ball out wide and the shot was wayward in the end from the Brazilian. Mario Lemina was also thwarted by the Brighton goalkeeper as his tame shot was saved comfortably.
It’s back to FA Cup action for both sides this weekend, as Brighton take the trip north to take on Sheffield United on Saturday at 3pm, while Wolves make the trip to local rivals West Bromwich Albion the following day at 11:45am.
