Wolves 2-3 Brighton: Pascal Gross scores late winner after Nelson Semedo’s red card in thriller at Molineux

Pascal Gross’ late goal earned in-form Brighton a dramatic 3-2 win over 10-man Wolves in a thrilling game at Molineux.

Adam Lallana’s early goal put Brighton ahead early on but Goncalo Guedes soon levelled things up and Wolves actually led when Ruben Neves converted a penalty after Lewis Dunk’s handball. But the game turned late in the first half thanks to Kaoru Mitoma.

His headed equaliser was quickly followed by a red card for Nelson Semedo who was outmanoeuvred by Mitoma. Wolves, who confirmed Julen Lopetegui as their next manager before kick-off, battled hard in the second half, but their resistance was broken by Gross.

The three points lift Roberto De Zerbi’s side above Graham Potter’s Chelsea and into the top six. Lopetegui, who will take over at Molineux on November 14, will be in no doubt at the scale of his task. Wolves remain just one place off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Player ratings

Wolves: Wolves: Sa (7), Semedo (3), Collins (6), Kilman (5), Bueno (6), B Traore (7), Neves (7), Moutinho (5), Podence (6), Hwang (6), Guedes (7).

Subs: Jonny (5), Traore (6), Ait-Nouri (5), Ronan (n/a).

Brighton: Sanchez (7), Gross (8), Webster (6), Dunk (7), Estupinan (6), Caicedo (7), Mac Allister (7), March (6), Lallana (9), Mitoma (9), Trossard (7).

Subs: Welbeck (6), Gilmour (6), Undav (6), Veltman (n/a).

Player of the match: Adam Lallana.

How Brighton beat Wolves

Brighton came into the game in buoyant mood after thrashing Chelsea last time out and that was reflected by the confidence of their play. They carved Wolves apart for the opener when Leandro Trossard slipped the ball through for Lallana to finish past Jose Sa.

That might have seen Wolves wilt but they found the equaliser immediately when Guedes carried the ball all the way with a persistent run from the right before beating Robert Sanchez. It was his first goal for the club following his summer move from Valencia.

Image: Goncalo Guedes celebrates after equalising for Wolves against Brighton

Team news

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Brighton were unchanged following their impressive 4-1 win over Chelsea. Wolves made three changes, two of them enforced. Joao Moutinho came in for the injured Matheus Nunes, while Hwang Hee-chan replaced the suspended Diego Costa in attack. The other swap was Goncalo Guedes for Adama Traore.

Wolves looked a little disjointed but showed plenty of effort and were rewarded for their spirit when Lewis Dunk was adjudged to have committed a handball offence from deflecting Daniel Podence’s cross. Neves converted from the spot following a lengthy VAR review.

A lesser team might have been left in shock at how they found themselves behind. Instead, Brighton continue to play the superior football and equalised late in the first half when Mitoma outjumped Semedo after wonderful work from the evergreen Lallana.

Image: Kaoru Mitoma headed Brighton level against Wolves before his work saw Nelson Semedo sent off

That was his first goal for Brighton but not the best bit of play from the Japan international. That came immediately afterwards when his sublime first touch caught out Semedo and the full-back resorted to pulling him down just outside of the box. It was clumsy. It was red.

The Seagulls had to be patient in the second half as Wolves defended doggedly while posing a threat on the counter-attack through substitute Adama Traore who forced a fine save from Sanchez. But Gross finished high in the net to win it. Belief is powerful.

Goals Lallana, Guedes, Neves, Mitoma, Gross Assists Trossard, B Traore, Podence, Lallana Bonus points Lallana (3), Gross (2), Mitoma (1) What’s next? Saturday 12th November 7:30pm Kick off 7:45pm

Wolves complete their pre-World Cup campaign with two home fixtures. First they host Leeds in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday at 7.45pm and then they welcome Arsenal on Saturday November 12 in the Premier League, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Brighton travel to Arsenal on Wednesday for the third round of the Carabao Cup; kick-off 7.45pm. The Seagulls’ last match before the World Cup is against Aston Villa on Sunday November 13 at 2pm, live on Sky Sports.