Ten man Wolves undone at the death

Brighton and Hove Albion are one of those organic teams, the product of one individual whose ability as a tactician, a scout and a man manager, melded a side of unsung players into a formidable unit. Now that Graham Potter has departed for the loftier heights of Stamford Bridge, does new coach Roberto De Zerbi have the wherewithal to build on his predecessor’s legacy? Right now, having only been in charge for just seven games, it is perhaps too early to say. His record in the first five read; two draws, three defeats. Then last week matters changed with a resounding 4 – 1 win against, irony of ironies, ex Manager Graham Potter’s new charges, Chelsea.

In the wake of Potter’s departure Brighton fans are apparently livid that the London club has asset stripped much of their side’s back-room staff. That, plus De Zerbi’s relative inexperience, means that keeping the current squad together assumes far greater significance. But, if today’s performance is indicative of how he is fairing, then it is clear that he’s doing very little wrong. His Brighton side were neater in possession, quicker in possession, more inventive in possession to such a degree that every time they launched an attack one felt that the Wolves goal would be punctured. The only real mystery was that their margin of victory was not greater.

As for Wolves, though they tried gamely following the dismissal of the hapless Nelson Semedo - for a last man standing red card offence on – they lacked the speed and guile of their opponents. They may have finally secured the services of Julen Lopetegui after a six year courtship, Wolverhampton Wanderers - BBC Sport but the challenge facing him is considerable; a defence that is too easy to break down and an attack lacking a clinical edge. If he can prevent a fall through the trap door then he will have justified his appointment.

A brief summation of the on field action goes something like this;

9 minutes; Adam Lallana side foots home following an earlier missed opportunity with the Wolves defence at sixes and sevens.

11 minutes; excellent through ball by Boubacar Troare to Goncalo Guedes who maintained his composure to score following a fine run.

30 minutes; – VAR review for handball by a Brighton defender. It was ball to hand rather than the other way around. It took four boring minutes to make the decision which meant it wasn’t clear and obvious. VAR is ruining the game. Ruben Neves stepped forward to despatch the penalty.

43 minutes; Brighton moved the ball swiftly to Lallana whose cross should have been cleared by Semedo but he was outjumped by Kaora Mitoma who headed home. Three minutes later the Portuguese defender was given his marching orders leaving Wolves to play the remainder of the game with ten men.

Down to ten men Wolves played with greater cohesion then with eleven and in the 79th minute could have stolen a lead when a delightful Neves free kick put Adama Traore free on the right. His shot was well struck but unfortunately straight at keeper Robert Sanchez who parried for a corner.

82 minutes; another sweeping Brighton move began when Solly March found Mitoma in the left channel. He got to the bye line from where he picked out Pascal Gross who, with the Wolves defence in a mess, scooped the ball over Sa into the net.

…..and that, as they say, was it.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 7, Semedo 3 Sent off Min 45, Collins 6, Kilman 6, Bueno 7, Neves 6, Traore 6 Sub Ronan, Moutinho 6, Podence 6 Sub Castro Otto, Hee Chan 6 Sub Traore, Guedes 7 Sub Ait-Nourri

Brighton & Hove Albion: Sanchez 6, Gross 7, Webster 6, Dunk 7, Estupinan 6 Sub Gilmour, Mac Allister 7, Caicedo 7, March 7, Lallana 6 Sub Wellbeck, Mitoma 8, Trossard 6 Sub Undav

Attendance: 30,732

Referee: Graham Scott 7

©Mark Brennand