Wolves 1-4 Brighton: De Zerbi's side run riot to continue perfect start

Three quick goals immediately after half-time saw Brighton and Hove Albion destroy Wolverhampton Wanderers to send Roberto De Zerbi’s side top of the early Premier League table.

After a brilliant individual goal by Kaoru Mitoma, Pervis Estupiñán doubled the Seagulls’ lead within 40 seconds of the restart, and a brace from Solly March gave Brighton their second successive 4-1 victory after putting Luton Town to the sword last week.

Substitute Hwang Hee Chan pulled one back just after the hour but it was a miserable first home game in charge for Wolves’ new head coach Gary O’Neil which gave him plenty to ponder.

Brighton on the other hand look like being European contenders again as they continue to make light of the £104m departure of Moises Caicedo.

England coach Gareth Southgate was an interested spectator, and if he was impressed by the movement of Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, he would have been less enamoured with the man attempting to mark him, Wolves captain Maximilian Kilman, as the visitors sliced through them far too easily.

Before this game, De Zerbi’s side had been involved in more Premier League goals than any other since he took charge in October 2022 – 114, with 65 goals for. And it’s not a record that they’re in danger of losing at this rate.

Brighton even rested three new signings from last week’s 4-1 win over Luton Town as Jan Paul Van Hecke, Mahmoud Dahoud and Joao Pedro were replaced by Adam Webster, Billy Gilmour and Julio Enciso.

Wolves, who failed to end a run of five straight defeats against Brighton – including a 6-0 thrashing at the Amex Stadium last April – have now been winless in their first home league game in each of the five seasons since returning to the Premier League in 2018.

The home fans were quick to show their appreciation of O’Neil with an early chant of ‘Gary O’Neil’s gold and black army’.

It was Wolves who had the ball in the net in the third minute – only for it to be ruled out for a clear offside.

Silva turned onto Mario Lemina’s mis-hit shot and fired into the bottom corner but he was a good yard beyond the last defender.

Brighton were quick to flex their muscles, taking took a 15th-minute lead with an outstanding goal from Mitoma.

The Japan winger cut in from the left touchline, brushing aside Nelson Semedo before surging through the Wolves defence beyond Joao Gomes and Kilman before finishing coolly past Sa.

It was the wide man’s 11th goal – he also has nine assists – in 43 games for the Seagulls, and similar to his strike against Liverpool last season.

Brighton’s slick passing and movement saw Wolves chasing shadows at times.

Wolves should have equalised when Silva was sent galloping through by Matheus Cunha but his shot was foiled by the right leg of goalkeeper Jason Steele to divert it wide.

Wolves had come right back into the game and Rayan Ait-Nouri lifted a shot over the bar from close range with only Steele to beat after Silva put him through.

But the visitors ended any hopes of a Wolves comeback within 10 minutes of the restart however with a three-goal blast.

March cut inside and sent Welbeck through for a shot parried away by goalkeeper Jose Sa, but the rebound fell to Mitoma, whose cutback was turned home by Estupiñán.

March tapped home to find the roof of the net from close range to make it 3-0 in the 52nd minute with a fine breakaway goal.

The move was started by a delightful pass from deep inside his own half by Billy Gilmour, who sent Enciso racing down the left to cross.

Three minutes later it was 4-0 when March stabbed in off the post after Welbeck spread play to Enciso on the right to cross.

It was all too simple for Brighton, but Wolves at least got off the mark for the season when Hee-Chan nodded home Neto’s corner on 61.

Hundreds of Wolves supporters missed it though after they headed for the exits following Brighton’s fourth goal.

Matheus Nunes completed a thoroughly chastening afternoon for Wolves when he was red carded for pushing two Brighton players, having already been booked.