Brighton 3-3 Wolves: Lewis Dunk salvages point for Seagulls

Lewis Dunk’s header helped Brighton come from 3-1 down to earn a point against Wolves in an eventful Premier League encounter at the Amex Stadium.

It began well for the home side when Aaron Connolly poked in from Leandro Trossard’s delivery in the 13th minute, but Wolves were level six minutes later as Romain Saiss sent a looping header past Robert Sanchez after Nelson Semedo had retrieved a corner to the far post.

Worse was to follow for the hosts in the 34th minute when the ball bounced off defender Dan Burn and into the net after Sanchez had saved from Pedro Neto. Burn had seconds earlier conceded the corner which led to the goal.

Burn cut a distraught figure just before half-time when he brought down Adama Traore after the Spanish winger outpaced him on the byeline. Ruben Neves fired in from the penalty spot for his first goal since February.

Instead of caving in, Brighton sprang out of the blocks from the restart. Within 50 seconds it was 3-2 when Neal Maupay scored from the spot after he was fouled by Joao Moutinho.

Brighton continued to pepper the Wolves area and, after Adam Webster’s header came off the bar, they were finally level when Dunk nodded home from Trossard’s corner.

Spirited comeback does not mask Brighton issues

Manager Graham Potter has been a man on the defensive having seen his stock fall following a promising debut season at Brighton.

He helped them comfortably avoid relegation with 41 points – their highest tally in the competition – but this season they have a sole victory against Aston Villa to show for their efforts in the past three months. It has left them in a precarious position.

Brighton still play football which is easy on the eye, but they have often lack cutting edge in attack and lately Potter’s team selection has been questionable.

In the 1-0 defeat by Arsenal he made six changes to his starting line-up, which did not include any recognised strikers, and against Wolves he asked 6ft 7in Burn to mark the pacy Traore on the left.

Burn’s blushes were spared by a spirited Brighton attacking display after the break, but the draw was their eighth of the season and they remain without a win at home in the league.

Wolves rediscover attacking swagger

Wolves have also been in a bit of a rut lately, to a lesser extent.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side came into the match having won one of their six league games since the head injury to striker Raul Jimenez in November. The Mexican’s potency in attack had been missed, with just three goals scored in that time.

At least some of those issues were remedied as Neto and Traore impressed in attack, while Neves showed the type of composure and playmaking in midfield that helped Wolves finish seventh last season.

The visitors spent large chunks of the second half defending crosses from the wings, although they could have snatched a win in the final seconds when substitute Owen Otasowie headed over the bar from four yards.

What’s next?

Wolves host Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round on Friday (19:45 GMT), while Brighton travel to League Two side Newport County on 10 January (19:45).

Bad day for Burn – stats

• Brighton conceded as many goals in the first half as they had in their previous 10 top-flight games against Wolves, but they remain unbeaten in their 11 top-flight meetings (W7 D4).
• This was the fourth time Brighton have managed to rescue a point in a Premier League game in which they have been at least two goals behind.
• Since their promotion to the Premier League in 2017, Brighton have conceded nine own goals – more than any other side in the top flight.
• Brighton have conceded eight league goals this season from set-piece situations (excluding penalties). Only Leeds have conceded more (10).
• Dan Burn is the first player to score an own goal and concede a penalty in the same Premier League game since Eliaquim Mangala for Manchester City against Hull in 2014.
• Romain Saiss has scored two goals in his past three league games, as many as in his previous 40.
• Neal Maupay’s strike for Brighton (45mins 50secs) was the earliest goal scored from the penalty spot in the second half of a Premier League game since Opta began recording exact goal timings in 2006-07.