De Zerbi frustrated as Brighton’s goals dry up
ALL of a sudden, Brighton have become a very different team with mixed benefits. The good is the clean sheets. Having gone ages without one, a shutout at West Ham three weeks ago was their first in 24 games.
Another followed last night and the defensive resilience will be welcomed. But the goals have dried up at the other end, too.
Before their trip to Arsenal last month, Brighton had scored for 32 games in a row. But this blank against Wolves was their third in five games, and second in a row, as familiar failings in front of goal resurfaced, decision making repeatedly letting them down.
The frustration felt by Roberto De Zerbi was shared in the stands as another opportunity to rack up three points went begging.
Wolves impressed in defence and extended their unbeaten run to six games, though there was an element of a missed opportunity as they could have gone into the top 10 with a victory.
James Milner — playing his 633rd Premier League game, which took him above Ryan Giggs into second on the list of all-time appearance makers — had a brief sight of goal at the back post as Brighton began well.
Danny Welbeck then had a shot that took a deflection off Matt Doherty and looped over.
Midway through the half, Pascal Gross slipped in Milner down the left whose cross was blocked. Moments later, hearts were in mouths when Pedro Neto broke up the other end and fired wide.
Jose Sa also denied Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro in a tetchy first half. A flashpoint between Billy Gilmour and Craig Dawson sparked a clash between the two benches. De Zerbi seemed ready to rumble with Wolves goalkeeper coach Neil Cutler who was booked for his involvement.
Seconds after the restart, Neto squared for Matheus Cunha — booed before half-time after a booking for a rash tackle on Gilmour — whose first shot was saved by Jason Steele, before he poked the rebound over.
Nelson Semedo’s last-ditch challenge thwarted Pedro before Sa spared Max Kilman’s blushes when his attempted interception diverted the ball goalwards.
In the final 10 minutes, Neto was played in behind but fired across goal with the help of a touch off Steele. Cunha then beat Steele to a through ball, rounded the keeper but fired wide from a narrow angle. Steele then repelled an effort from Mario Lemina.
BRIGHTON (4-3-3): Steele 7; Hinshelwood 7 (Baker-Boaitey 90min), Dunk 7, Van Hecke 7.5, Estupinan 7.5 (Lallana 72, 6); Gross 6, Gilmour 7, Milner 6.5 (Webster 72, 6); Buonanotte 6.5 (Lamptey 65, 6), Welbeck 6.5 (Ferguson 65, 6), Joao Pedro 6. Booked: Webster. Manager: Roberto De Zerbi 6. WOLVES (3-4-2-1): Sa 6.5; Kilman 7.5, DAWSON 8, Toti 7.5; Semedo 7.5, Doyle 7, Lemina 7, Doherty 6; Sarabia 6.5 (Bellegarde 70, 6), Cunha 7.5; Neto 7 (Chirewa 89). Booked: Cunha, Dawson, Kilman, Toti. Manager: Gary O’Neil 6. Referee: Craig Pawson 6. Att: Not provided.