Key Stats Breakdown
Brighton’s early momentum paid off as they dominated possession with 53%, translating it into more significant offensive pressure. Brighton’s shots totaled 16, with an expected goals (xG) of 1.58, reflecting their consistent pushes towards the Wolves’ goal. Danny Welbeck opened the scoring in the 45th minute, seizing on a chance with an xG of 0.28, while Evan Ferguson added a second in the 85th minute, pushing Brighton’s cumulative xG lead.
Match Momentum
The momentum shifted back and forth, with Brighton edging possession at 53%. They controlled the game for longer stretches, with a pure possession time of 29:45 compared to Wolves’ 26:13. Wolves, however, stayed resilient and made efficient use of their opportunities. The pass maps reveal Brighton’s tendency to build up through their left side, leveraging Pervis Estupiñán and Kaoru Mitoma’s partnership, while Wolves frequently connected through João Gomes and Matheus Cunha, creating a solid central axis.
Shots and Goal Analysis
Brighton registered 16 shots to Wolves’ 11, yet both teams ended with two goals, reflecting a closely matched xG of 1.6 for Brighton and 1.5 for Wolves. Brighton’s shots came from varied positions, as shown in the shot maps, with Welbeck and Ferguson converting high-value chances.
Wolves were slightly more clinical, as evidenced by their xG per shot at 0.139, versus Brighton’s 0.099. Notably, Wolves capitalized late in the game, with Rayan Aït-Nouri and Matheus Cunha delivering crucial goals to match Brighton’s tally.
Defensive and Offensive Tactics
Wolves’ defensive setup was firm, blocking six of Brighton’s shots, while their own two blocked shots demonstrated a more aggressive approach. Brighton leaned on dribbling and progressive runs (37 dribbles to Wolves’ 26), striving to break through Wolves’ compact defense.
Brighton’s pass map shows a deliberate attempt to overload certain areas and exploit gaps in Wolves’ backline, particularly through overlapping runs by Mitoma and Estupiñán.