Wolverhampton Wanderers clinched their first FA Cup quarter-final place since 2019 as a depleted Brighton & Hove Albion paid for their wasteful finishing. Mario Lemina’s sliding finish secured a last-eight tie at home to Coventry City and a fourth straight victory for Wolves also brought revenge for Brighton’s 4-1 win at Molineux in Gary O’Neil’s first home game in charge.
Roberto De Zerbi was without nine players through injury and suspension and his side had the worst possible start by conceding after only 80 seconds.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde — one of four changes made by O’Neil to the side that beat Sheffield United on Sunday — spun Jan Paul van Hecke on the halfway line after Toti’s pass and sped away from Cameron Peupion before crossing. Jason Steele, the goalkeeper, could only parry the ball and Pervis Estupiñán was beaten by Lemina, who slid in at the far post.
A similarly brisk-paced move enabled Wolves to continue their bright start. Matt Doherty was presented with a headed chance but he nodded high and wide from Tommy Doyle’s cross.
Brighton then lifted themselves to fashion two opportunities. Simon Adingra’s rising shot flew over the bar and Jakub Moder’s curling effort was inches wide with José Sá at full stretch.
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At the other end, Igor Julio’s backpass almost let in Bellegarde.
But Brighton were able to exploit Wolves’ nervousness on the ball and gradually asserted themselves. They posed the first threat of the second half when Lewis Dunk glanced wide.
The home crowd was lifted four minutes before the hour mark with the arrival of Pedro Neto and Pablo Sarabia. Neto showed why the supporters were chanting his name when he nutmegged Dunk before setting off on a 60-yard dribble. His high-speed run was halted when he ran into trouble as he attempted one last turn deep in the penalty area.
Brighton continued to look slick with their pretty patterns around the Wolves penalty area but they found their way blocked by a massed, stubborn defence.
FA Cup quarter-final draw
Wolves v Coventry City
Manchester United v Liverpool
Chelsea v Leicester City
Manchester City v Newcastle United
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Wolves (3-5-2): J Sá — M Kilman, S Bueno, Toti — M Doherty, M Lemina (P Sarabia 56min), J Gomes (N Semedo 90+3), T Doyle, R Ait-Nouri (C Dawson 90+3) — J-R Bellegarde (B Traore 76), Hwang Hee-chan (P Neto 56). Booked Sá, Sarabia, Neto.
Brighton (3-4-3): J Steele — J P van Hecke, L Dunk, Igor (V Barco 80) — S Adingra, J Moder (C Baleba 61), P Gross, P Estupiñán — C Peupion (D Welbeck 46), F Buonanotte (B Baker-Boaitey 70), A Fati (J Enciso 70). Booked Igor, Fati.
Referee A Madley.
