Ghost of Nuno haunts Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 v Brighton & Hove Albion 3

Six weeks ago Wolves were vying for a Champions League slot. Yet now they a playing like a side trying to stave off relegation. Too slow in possession, too many square and backward passes, too few players willing to take a risk and when they do too often failing to release the ball at the correct moment – take note Ryan Ait Nourri, Hwang Hee-Chan and Nelson Semedo. It all smacked of Nuno during the empty stadium season which is a worry given that this current season started with plenty of energy and attacking intent. Yet it has now all but dissipated.

For their part Brighton played like Wolves used to play, breaking quickly on the counter-attack and thoroughly deserving their 3-0 win. And but for a missed penalty it could and probably should have been four. It was perhaps fitting that their third and final goal should be scored by the excellent Yves Bissouma who ran affairs in midfield and looks good enough to play in a top four side.

As for Wolves thanks goodness for 49 points.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 6, Semedo 5 Sub Castro Otto 6, Boly 5, Coady 6, Saiss 5, Ait-Nourri 5, Moutinho 6, Dendoncker 4, Neves 5 Sub Neto 6, Hee-Chan 6, Silva 6 Sub Jimenez 5

Brighton & Hove Albion: Sanchez 6, Veltman 6, Dunk 7, Cucurella 7, March 6 Sub Lamptey, Bissouma 9, Caicedo 6, Trossard 8, Mwepu 6 Sub Webster, Mac Allister 7, Welbeck 7

Attendance: 31,243

Referee: Simon Hooper 8

©Mark Brennand