BRIGHTON, Jan 3: Captain Lewis Dunk’s header earned Brighton & Hove Albion a 3-3 Premier League draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers after they had conceded three times in the first half on Saturday.
Aaron Connolly gave Brighton an early lead but Romain Saiss levelled with a header, Dan Burn scored an own goal and Ruben Neves converted a penalty to put Wolves in command by halftime.
Neal Maupay’s penalty straight after the interval gave Brighton hope and Dunk then headed in a Leandro Trossard cross in the 70th minute of an absorbing game on the south coast.
It almost got even better for Brighton as Trossard ran through to score shortly afterwards but his effort was disallowed for a foul, while Owen Otasowie should have won it at the death for Wolves.
The point left Brighton in 17th place, three points above the relegation zone, although they have played two games more than 18th-placed Fulham.
Wolves, without a win in their last four games, are in 12th place.
Brighton are without a win in eight league games but the way they fought back to dominate the second half would have pleased manager Graham Potter.
His side made a great start when Trossard was given too much time and space by the Wolves defence and his cross was stabbed home by Connolly who got in front of his marker.
The lead lasted only six minutes though as Saiss directed his header past keeper Robert Sanchez from Nelson Semedo’s cross despite moving away from goal when he made contact.
Wolves went ahead in the 34th minute when Sanchez punched out a cross from Pedro Neto but the ball ricocheted off the shin of the unfortunate Burn.
Burn’s evening got worse when his rash tackle on Adama Traore on the byline gave Wolves a blatant penalty and Neves tucked away the spot kick.
Brighton needed a quick response after the break and were gifted a penalty immediately when the vastly-experienced Joao Moutinho tripped Maupay who got up to score from the spot.
Adam Webster hit the bar for Brighton as they pressed for an equaliser and they were rewarded when Dunk headed in. Trossard thought he had put Brighton ahead but he was ruled to have pushed over Rayan Aït-Nouri.
All Brighton’s hard work almost came to nothing in the last second of the game when Traore’s cross was perfect for substitute Otasowie but the American teenager headed over. (Agencies)
