SEAGULLS FIGHTBACK IN SIX-GOAL THRILLER
BUT POTTER INSISTS: I’M NO DAN BUSTER
GRAHAM POTTER defended Dan Burn after a nightmare first half in which the giant Brighton defender scored an own goal and conceded a penalty. Burn played his part in helping Brighton battle back to earn a comeback draw – and keep Adama Traore quiet – in what could prove a precious point in Albion’s survival battle. “Traore is one of the hardest players in world football to defend against and Dan Burn was at Wigan in League
One a couple of years ago,” said Seagulls boss Potter. “Rather than be critical of Dan Burn, we should be proud of him as he puts himself there and gives his best in every match and is a fantastic professional and a fantastic person,
“It was tough for us at halftime but you are looking for a response, you are looking for character and we saw that. The players were amazing and showed great personality”
A New Year goal feast was probably the last thing on anyone’s minds as they sat down to watch this game.
But two teams who have found goals hard to come by suddenly discovered their touch in front of the net.
Aaron Connolly put Brighton ahead after 13 minutes with his second of the season but Romain Saiss levelled six minutes later.
Burn’s unlucky own goal gave Wolves the lead soon after and his clumsy foul on Traore handed Ruben Neves the chance to net his first goal of the season from the resulting penalty.
Brighton looked finished at that stage. But Neal Maupay pulled one back, also from a penalty, after Joao Moutinho tripped him only 11 seconds into the second half, and Brighton captain Lewis Dunk made it 3-3 with his second goal in a week.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo was unhappy with his team’s approach to the second half. “The first half was very good but we knew Brighton were going to react,” he said.
“Everything changed after 11 seconds. I am not disappointed with Joao, I am more upset we let a game get away after we did a fantastic job in the first half.
“We are defending badly and making mistakes we should
not make.
“We have to improve and be more aggressive. We have a long way to work.” The Seagulls have not won at home this season, but this will feel almost as good as a victory for Potter.
And things started well when Leandro Trossard crossed leftfooted into the six-yard box and Connolly nipped in front of Rui Patricio to knock the ball home for his first goal at the Amex since netting twice on his full debut against Spurs last season.
But Wolves drew level only six minutes later as Brighton could not get the ball away after a corner and when Semedo crossed from the right, Saiss headed back across Sanchez and into the top corner.
Brighton looked to restore their lead but it was Wolves who went ahead when Neto hit a fierce shot that took a deflection off Solly March. Sanchez could only parry the ball, which hit Burn and rolled gently into the net.
And it got worse for Brighton and Burn after 43 minutes as he stuck out a foot to bring down Traore. Neves converted the penalty with ease.
But Brighton were back in it within a minute of the restart thanks to a penalty of their own. Maupay was tripped by Moutinho and got up to smack home the spot kick.
Dunk’s header from March’s corner rebounded from the bar after 68 minutes, and sub Andi Zeqiri ballooned the rebound into Row Z. But Dunk had the last word when his header from Trossard’s corner found the bottom corner.
Rather than be critical of Dan Burn we should be proud of him because he gives his best and is a fantastic professional