Brighton were eliminated from the FA Cup on Wednesday evening, after losing 1-0 away at Wolves.Mario Lemina’s goal in the second minute proved to be enough for the hosts, setting up a quarter-final tie with Coventry City. The goal was Lemina’s fifth of the season in all competitions. Match Report By Joe Zelinger
The goal came after Jean-Ricner Bellegarde found space on the left-hand side and aimed a cross towards Lemina. The cross took a slight deflection meaning Jason Steele failed to deal with it and could only parry it into the path of the Gabonese midfielder. Lemina slid in to win the initial ball, and then whilst still on the floor hooked his effort into the net to give Brighton a nightmare start.
Being behind from almost the first minute, the Seagulls were tasked with yet again coming back from 1-0 down, but this time away from home rather than in front of their own fans. However, Wolves’ defence held firm and denied them from making it through to the quarter-finals for successive years.
Brighton dominated the ball for the rest of the half after falling behind, but were wasteful with their possession. Their best chance in the first half was when Facundo Buananotte was unable to guide his header on target after Pervis Estupinan found him open in the box.
21-year-old Cameron Peupion, who was making his first senior start for Albion, had a weak effort comfortably saved by Jose Sa on 42 mins after a good move from the back. Simon Adingra also had a curling effort go wide just before the half-time whistle, but it never really troubled Sa in goal.
In the second half, it was more of the same as Brighton had long periods of possession, but failed to do much with it. Across the whole game, Brighton managed just one shot on target, Peupion’s strike in the first half.
In the 60th minute, it could have been two for Wolves as Pedro Neto went on a fantastic run towards goal, but his shooting angle was limited by some brilliant defending by Igor. Neto’s initial speed looked as though he would be able to breeze into the box and score, but the Brazilian defender slowed him down, and eventually the danger was cleared.
With ten minutes to go, Brighton were getting desperate. A Pascal Gross shot that hit Santiago Bueno from very close range was the subject of some penalty appeals for handball, but the referee waved play on. Danny Welbeck, who was quiet since coming on at the start of the second half, had a glancing header go just over the bar after a delivery from debutant Valentin Barco.
Arguably Brighton’s most clear-cut chance of the game was their last. Steele, who had made the error for the goal they had conceded right at the beginning couldn’t connect well enough with the ball when it fell to him following a corner. As the ball came in, Lewis Dunk headed it back towards goal where Steele was waiting, but his attempt at a flicked finish didn’t go to plan, and his chance at redemption went begging.
At full-time there was clear disappointment from the Brighton players, but on the night they failed to cause Wolves anywhere near enough problems.
This is the first time Wolves have made it to the quarter-finals since 2019, but means Brighton won’t be able to match last year’s performance in the competition when they reached the semi-finals.
Both sides return to league action on the weekend, with Brighton travelling to West London to play Fulham, and Wolves away at Newcastle United.
