NICK PARKES SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON WOLVES BACK FROM THE BRINK AT BRIGHTON
A 93rd minute equaliser from Matheus Cunha rescued a huge point for Wolves, as we move off the bottom in what could be a pivotal few weeks ahead.
O’Neil made 1 change from the defeat last time out against Man City as Doyle made his first start of the season in place of Andre.
TEAM LINE UP
Sa, Semedo, Bueno, Dawson, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Joao Gomes, Doyle, Lemina, Cunha, Larsen
FIRST HALF
The game was fairly even in the opening 10 minutes, with both teams looking dangerous. Brighton is a high tempo, high pressing team and they caused us trouble down our left hand side. It was Wolves however, who had the first real chance as Ait-Nouri found Cunha, who out muscled his man by the left side corner flag and played a beautiful pass to the D of the box where Doyle was free. With his shooting ability you would expect him to test the keeper at the very least, but his shot went high and wide.
As the half went on Wolves sat deeper and deeper, allowing Brighton to build pressure; to the point where their centre back orchestrated most of their build up play by charging deep into our half with the ball. Whenever we did manage to get the ball back we were extremely sloppy in possession; Ait-Nouri and Cunha especially were wasteful on a handful of times in the opening 45. Semedo lost track of Mitoma on 20 minutes and was lucky the Brighton winger didn’t punish his lack of awareness.
Our negativity continued to hurt us as Sa was called into action and made a superb save from a long distance shot. Sloppy play by Doyle forced Toti into a professional foul, resulting in him picking up a booking. Countless times Brighton bypassed our midfield and eventually it was going to cost us. The opening goal, came as a gift from inconsistent keeper Jose Sa, as he kicked the ball straight to a Brighton player; and with our players out of position, he was able to play in in-form Welbeck, who placed it past Sa just before half time.
SECOND HALF
Under pressure O’Neil rang the changes at half time as Forbs replaced Toti and Sarabia came on for Lemina as Wolves reverted to a back 4. Forbs looked to be a nuisance straight away down the left with an aggressive run into the Brighton half. Sarabia then looked to play in Larsen but his effort was cleared for a corner, who then forced a save from the Brighton corner with a header.
Wolves played with more intent in the 2nd 45 and restricted Brighton to half chances at best. This was mostly down to Santi Bueno and Dawson who were immense throughout. They nullified most of the Brighton attacks with ease. Similarly with Kilman last year, Bueno seems much more assured with the presence of Dawson next to him.
Despite our improvements, we continued to be lazy in possession, Cunha continued to give the ball away, Larsen and Sarabia were guilty also. The latter played a lazy pass back and gifted Brighton the chance to run on our goal. Fortunately it came to nothing but the warning signs were there.
The game picked up pace in the last 25 minutes with Wolves really applying the pressure to get back in the game. A delightful through ball from Sarabia found Cunha but he could only drag his shot wide. Cunha again was in the heart of the action as he found space down our left to only have his shot saved and out for a corner.
For all Wolves’ huff and puff we failed to make the pressure count and with any quality side, if you don’t punish them, they will punish you. And not for the first time it was our own undoing. After a great tackle by Dawson, Forbs played the ball straight to Brighton player, who then played in Ferguson on the edge of the box, he turned and fired low past a diving Sa. 85 minutes on the clock and Wolves staring another defeat in the face.
There are, however, defining moments in every team’s season and every Wolves fan is hoping what happened next is the catalyst to kick start ours. In the 88th minute, Cunha flicked on a Sarabia corner and the ball dropped to Dawson, his effort was blocked but Ait-Nouri was on hand to drill the ball in the back of the net. A life-line but nothing more than that. For all of Ait-Nouri’s defensive flaws, he now has 2 assists and 3 goals this season.
As 5 minutes of injury time went up on the board and with Wolves pushing players forward, Brighton had a great opportunity to put the game to bed. Only Tommy Doyle was back when 4 Brighton attackers steamed forward. A simple pass to any of them surely would have sealed the win but amazingly, Doyle intercepted the ball and played a brilliant ball forward to Cunha. The Wolves attacker sprints forward and fires a shot from just outside the box, it takes a deflection and goes in off the crossbar. 2-2! Unbelievable scenes from the away fans behind the goal, finally some joy for every Wolves fan around the world.
The ref calls the end to quite an extraordinary game which saw Wolves lift themselves off the bottom of the table.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The dramatic ending does paint over many cracks and possibly saves O’Neil’s job but the biggest take away is the fight at the end from the players on the pitch and doubling our points total. Semedo, Bueno & Dawson played very, very well, they looked assured and strong against tricky opposition . Also, that piece of play by Doyle to set up the equaliser will be remembered for a while. A lot of sloppy play and a dire first half but we come away from an extremely difficult ground with a precious point. One which hopefully kick-starts our season into gear.
Two huge home games are coming up but for now, we can wake up on a Sunday with positivity and maybe even watch Match of the Day.
Man of the match Craig Dawson
ARTICLE BY NICK PARKES
Hi, I’m Nick! Born in Wolverhampton and currently living in Barcelona. I’ve been a Wolves fan since birth (dad’s choice) and was a north bank season ticket holder in my younger days. My favourite all-time player, Bully!
I’m an English teacher by trade and when I’m not scolding teenagers in the class, I’m either running, gardening or watching cricket!
