- Lemina scored the only goal of the match despite Wolves’ struggles
- The hosts lost both the goalscorer and Hwang Hee-chan to injury in the match
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Mario Lemina struck after just 77 seconds, putting Wolves within 90 minutes of Wembley.
The midfielder’s early goal was enough to power Gary O’Neil’s men past injury-ravaged Brighton – whose goalkeeper Jason Steele missed a glorious chance to equalize in stoppage time after taking the lead for a corner – and secured a quarter-final draw against Championship Club Coventry.
Still, Wolves will have to play much better to have a chance of winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1960.
Like Sheffield United last Sunday, Brighton were the better side for much of this match, but like the Blades they left Molineux with nothing to show for their efforts.
For all their promising tackling work, Brighton couldn’t test Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa as often as he should.
Wolves reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Wednesday after beating Brighton 1-0
It wasn’t all smiles for the hosts, however, who lost Hwang Hee-chan to injury in the second half of the match.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side were the better for much of the match, but could not find the back of the net
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Despite key figures Pedro Neto and Craig Dawson being left out of the starting XI, Wolves were immediately on the right track and took the lead within two minutes. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde raced away from Jan Paul van Hecke and when Steele flapped at the cross, Pervis Estupinan hesitated. Lemina did not do that and pushed Wolves forward.
Seriously weakened by injuries, Brighton only threatened just before the half hour mark, when Jakub Moder shot just wide from twenty yards. At the other end, Bellegarde chased Lewis Dunk’s underhit backpass, but Steele saved Albion.
Then the visitors started playing. They demanded a penalty when Espunian’s shot hit Max Kilman’s forearm and Facundo Buonanotte – unseen because Van Hecke jumped in front of him – headed wide from eight meters. On his full debut, Cameron Peupion shot weakly after a cut in from the right and on the other flank Simon Adingra was off target from an equally promising position.
Wolves were poor despite the win over Sheffield United last weekend and they weren’t much better here. Brighton were sharper again at the start of the second half and Dunk headed Pascal Gross’ corner wide.
To make matters more difficult for Wolves, Hwang Hee-chan stopped after playing a pass and was immediately replaced by Neto, while Lemina also moved gingerly through the tunnel when he was substituted at the same time.
Neto was quickly involved as he burst from his own half and was just stopped by the covering Dunk.
And with Wolves limited to counter-attacks as Brighton pressed, Neto fed fellow substitute Pablo Sarabia and his low strike forced a corner. Roberto De Zerbi’s men were still dangerous and during half-time Danny Welbeck headed a fraction too high from a Valentin Barco cross. Then Steele fired a knockdown wide of the far post in the final seconds.
To make matters more difficult for Wolves, Hwang Hee-chan stopped after playing a pass and was immediately replaced by Neto, while Lemina also moved gingerly through the tunnel when he was substituted at the same time.
Pedro Neto proved to be a difficult customer for Wolves when he came on for the injured Hwang
Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele should perhaps have scored the equalizer when he poked wide in the closing moments
Gary O’Neil’s side will now take on Championship side Coventry in the last eight of the competition
Neto was quickly involved as he burst from his own half and was just stopped by the covering Dunk.
And with Wolves limited to counter-attacks as Brighton pressed, Neto fed fellow substitute Pablo Sarabia and his low strike forced a corner. Roberto De Zerbi’s men were still dangerous and during half-time Danny Welbeck headed a fraction too high from a Valentin Barco cross. Then Steele fired a knockdown wide of the far post in the final seconds.