The Media Review: Wolves

Albion’s disappointing exit from the FA Cup was treated pretty fairly by the national press, even though the media pack in those parts contains more than a sprinkling of Wolves fans.

Tim Nash summed up the bare facts concisely in his intro for The Times, “Wolverhampton Wanderers clinched their first FA Cup quarter-final place since 2019 as a depleted Brighton & Hove Albion paid for their wasteful finishing.

“Mario Lemina’s sliding finish secured a last-eight tie at home to Coventry City and a fourth straight victory for Wolves also brought revenge for Brighton’s 4-1 win at Molineux in Gary O’Neil’s first home game in charge.

“Roberto De Zerbi was without nine players through injury and suspension and his side had the worst possible start by conceding after only 80 seconds.”

One of those locals who bleeds old gold and black is Peter Lansley but he is an admirer of Albion’s style and his report in The Guardian was thoroughly objective. “Brighton’s extreme injury problems meant their 72% possession counted for nothing,” he wrote. “They will just have to put up with aiming to win the Europa League instead.

“Their goalkeeper Jason Steele, up for a corner as the clock ticked into the 96th minute, had Brighton’s best chance when Lewis Dunk’s header fell his way. But he grabbed at the opening, unsurprisingly, and mis‑hit it wide from three yards out.

“Brighton were without nine players, though Roberto De Zerbi said Evan Ferguson, Joel Veltman and Tariq Lamptey could be back for the game at Fulham on Saturday. They looked a shadow of the team that won 4-1 here in O’Neil’s first game in charge at Molineux but De Zerbi was pleased with how his young makeshift team performed.

“Brighton, winners here on their three previous visits, proceeded to dominate … the game. Their centre-halves, Igor Julio and Van Hecke, frequently joined the attacks as Wolves were pinned back. But from their best first-half chance Facundo Buonanotte headed wide Estupiñán’s left-wing cross.

“Brighton upped the ante by bringing on Danny Welbeck, and switching to a back four but, although they continued to dominate even after Neto and Sarabia came on, Wolves did look far more dangerous on the break.

“Brighton, with their Europa League last-16 first leg at Roma next Thursday, tried to manage their energy levels by using all five substitutes and keeping the ball as much as possible. Sure as hell beats chasing it.

“The Molineux crowd understood the game: Brighton could have the ball if they could have the quarter-final place.”

In The Daily Mail, Tom Collomosse admitted that, “just as Sheffield United had been last Sunday, Brighton were the better side for much of this match – but just like the Blades, they left Molineux with nothing to show for their efforts.

“For all their promising approach work, Brighton could not test Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa as much as they should have. 

“Weakened severely by injuries, Brighton did not threaten until just before the half-hour, when Jakub Moder fired just wide from 20 yards. At the other end, Bellegarde hunted down Lewis Dunk's underhit backpass but Steele bailed Albion out.

“That was when the visitors started to play. They demanded a penalty when Estpunian's shot hit Max Kilman's forearm and then Facundo Buonanotte – unsighted by Van Hecke leaping in front of him – headed wide from eight yards. On his full debut, Cameron Peupion shot weakly after cutting in from the right and on the other flank, Simon Adingra was off target from a similarly promising position.

“Brighton were sharper again at the start of the second half and Dunk headed Pascal Gross' corner wide. And with Wolves limited to counter-attacks as Brighton pressed … half-time sub Danny Welbeck put a header a fraction too high from Valentin Barco's cross. Then in the closing seconds Steele stabbed a knockdown wide at the far post.”

In The Daily Telegraph, Sam Dalling wrote that “Brighton, as has come to be expected, began mesmerically passing between themselves. They held a bravely high line. Their intricate operators – the likes of Facundo Buonanotte, Simon Adingra and Ansu Fati – darted around in half spaces. 

“But Jose Sa’s gloves were not dirtied. They ought to have been by Buonanotte, but his header from Estupinan’s cross was misdirected. Adingra and Jakub Moder too, skewed efforts off-target. 

“Did the pattern of the game change after the break? Not initially. Brighton pushed; batted away any sort of synchronised attack. Sa was still not tested, although again should have been when Dunk met Pascal Gross’s corner. The header was wide.

“O’Neil’s mindset could be measured by his decision to introduce both Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Neto – who replaced Hwang – well before the hour.

“Perhaps, once Roberto De Zerbi has slept off the disappointment, Brighton’s exit will be viewed a mini blessing: they have, ahead of them, both an appetising trip to Rome, and a battle to secure continental qualification for next season.”