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Brighton’s streak of scoring at home for 23 consecutive matches was broken as they were held to a disappointing scoreless draw by Wolves at the Amex Stadium.
Albion controlled the ball for the majority of the game in an intense Premier League match, but struggled to produce a decisive offensive effort.
In the second half, the captain of Wanderers, Maximilian Kilman, struck the post of his own goal. Meanwhile, Pedro Neto, Matheus Cunha, and Mario Lemina from the opposing team had near misses with their counter-attacks.
The meeting was unremarkable, but it held significance for Seagulls’ midfielder James Milner. It marked his 633rd appearance in the Premier League, surpassing Ryan Giggs on the all-time list and second only to record holder Gareth Barry.
Brighton has moved up to seventh place, surpassing Manchester United due to a better goal difference. This was made possible by the draw, while Wolves have now equaled Newcastle’s points and are also in tenth place.
Last season, Albion had a 6-0 win over Wolves, making it their largest victory in the Premier League and the heaviest loss for Wolves.
On that day, Danny Welbeck was one of three players to score two goals. He posed a threat to Wanderers and the hosts had a strong start.
After a deflected shot from Matt Doherty resulted in a corner, the ex-England striker leapt to redirect Pervis Estupinan’s 11th-minute pass. However, Tommy Doyle managed to clear Facundo Buonanotte’s diving header from the back post.
The Wolves were barely able to control the energetic home team and nearly took a lead in the 22nd minute.
Portugal forward Neto, making his first start since October in the absence of 10-goal top scorer Hwang Hee-chan, was afforded time and space on the edge of the Seagulls’ 18-yard box but his curling effort flew narrowly wide of the left post.
At the 30-minute mark, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil was disappointed when Brighton player Billy Gilmour was not punished for deliberately stopping Cunha’s off-the-ball run as Neto advanced down the left side.
Tensions escalated on the sidelines when a heated situation arose between Gilmour and Wolves’ defender Craig Dawson. This resulted in the booking of the visitors’ goalkeeping coach, Neil Cutler, by referee Craig Pawson.
The tense conclusion to a close first half continued as Cunha was given a yellow card for a challenge on Gilmour and later argued with the referees after the half-time break.
Cunha, a forward for Brazil, nearly converted his feelings of unfairness into the first goal moments after play resumed. However, his first shot was saved by the Seagulls’ goalkeeper Jason Steele and he then nudged the rebound over the net.
Kilman, the captain of the Wolves, deflected the ball onto his own right post as he slid in to block Jack Hinshelwood’s cross. Neto’s attempt was then stopped by Steele as the back-and-forth play continued.
The Wolves, who were in good form, were trying to achieve four consecutive wins in the top division, a feat that has not been accomplished since January 1972. They seemed to have a better chance of scoring a goal in the final moments of the game.
Neto quickly crossed in front of the goal before Steele, who was charging towards him, was lucky not to be passed by Cunha. Steele then stopped a strong shot from Lemina.
Source: independent.co.uk
