Matheus Cunha dreadful, Rayan Ait-Nouri brilliant – Wolves ratings vs Brighton
Matheus Cunha gave away a penalty during an awful afternoon for the striker, as Wolves fell to a disappointing defeat 2-0 against Brighton.
Danny Welbeck thought he’d given the away side the lead 23 minutes into the contest but following a VAR check, Yankuba Minteh was adjudged to have been interfering with play from an offside position.
Just five minutes later Welbeck did finally get on the scoresheet, slotting home a penalty after Matheus Cunha had chopped down Mats Wieffer in the area.
Wolves rallied in the second half as they tried to get back into the game, but Brajan Gruda put the game beyond doubt for Brighton in the 85th minute, chipping the ball over Sa and into the net.
The result leaves Vitor Pereira’s side 14th in the Premier League, and Wolves are set for an unispiring mid-table finish.
Wolves beaten by Europe-chasing Brighton
Jose Sa – 5
Wolves’ number one looked shaky with his feet throughout, and failed to command his area during the contest.
Matt Doherty (off for Gomes 59′) – 5
Taken off after an hour as Wolves pushed for an equaliser. Solid but uninspiring for the time he was on the pitch.
Emmanuel Agbadou – 6
Played a poor pass into Cunha for the penalty, but can’t be attributed the full blame for the stupidity of the Brazilian. Solid enough apart from that.
Toti – 7
Commanded the Wolves backline, and cannot be attributed any blame for the two goals that went in. Made a number of big blocks and tackles to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Nelson Semedo – 6
Struggled to make an impact going forward, and left his man at the back post too many times. Difficult afternoon for the captain.
Ait-Nouri the shining light
Joao Gomes (off for Bellegarde 59′) – 6
Was a surprise to see the midfield taken off on the hour mark, as he had looked comfortable alongside Andre in the centre of the park.
Andre (off for Mane 90′) – 7
Made countless interceptions and tackles in the middle of the pitch, as he looked to help Wolves get back into the contest. Has an eye for a pass as well, linking up with Ait-Nouri on the left.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 8 – Player of the Match
Wolves are planning to offer Ait-Nouri a new contract, and you can see why. He was by far the most creative player on the pitch. The wing-back looked dangerous everytime he picked up the ball, driving down the left flank and delivering a number of brilliant crosses into the box. Deserved to pick up an assist, or two.
Wolves front three struggle
Marshall Munetsi – 5
Like the rest of the front three he failed to get involved in the game. Was a passenger for the first-half, and couldn’t make a difference in the second period.
Goncalo Guedes (off for Sarabia 59′) – 4
Missed a golden chance in the opening minutes, flicking the ball over the bar from just yards out. Had another opportunity in the first half but fluffed his lines.
Matheus Cunha (off for Strand Larsen 59′) – 3
Crucial, for the wrong reasons. Looked creative going forward at times, but his horrible mistake and subsequent poor challenge in the first half gave away the all important penalty. Unfortunately for the attacker, his mishap is to blame for Wolves’ defeat. Cunha is a target for Manchester United, but proved today that he’s not the finished article.
Cunha set to sign off from Wolves in poor style
Substitutes
Pablo Sarabia (on for Guedes 59′) – 6
Sarabia tried to provide some control and technical ability when introduced, but couldn’t inspire a comeback.
Rodrigo Gomes (on for Doherty 59′) – 6
Part of the quadrauple subsititution on the hour mark, and the changes did make a difference to the feel of the game, bringing energy and a renewed belief.
Jorgen Strand Larsen (on for Cunha 59′) – 6
Wolves fans were chanting for Larsen to come on, and the striker made an impact when he did. Provided a outlet for the home side, but couldn’t find that all important goal.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (on for Gomes 59′) – 6
Couldn’t help Wolves make a second-half comeback.
Matheus Mane (on for Andre 90′) – 6
The 17-year-old is highly thought of at Molinuex, and came on for his Premier League debut.