Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha fired twice in the final minutes against Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a sensational comeback draw for Wolverhampton Wanderers after going 2-0 down heading into the last five minutes.
The match got off to an energetic start as both teams pushed for an early advantage, with Tommy Doyle squandering a notably promising opportunity as he blazed over the bar from inside the box just nine minutes in, but Brighton soon gained control, with Wolves' attacks becoming increasingly sporadic.
Despite all of Brighton's dominance, Wolves largely looked comfortable in defence as they adopted a familiar deep block, with the Seagulls' best chance coming from range as Carlos Baleba's volley stung the gloves of Jose Sa.
All of Wolves' hard work was excruciatingly undone just minutes before halftime when Sa's kick was intercepted high up the pitch, culminating in the in-form Danny Welbeck slotting his effort across goal and into the far corner to give Brighton the lead heading into the break, with Wolves once again acting as the architects of their own downfall.
Gary O'Neil tweaked his tactical system with two attacking substitutions at half time, and although the visitors moved higher up the pitch compared to the first 45 minutes, Brighton remained firmly in control at the start of the second half.
The Old Gold did start to grow in presence as the half progressed, with O'Neil's men starting to break through the Brighton defence more frequently but they ultimately remained unable to find the equaliser.
Brighton looked to have scored the winner as Evan Ferguson arrived off the bench to hammer home his first goal of the campaign, but Ait-Nouri fired a half volley into the net just minutes later to give Wolves a lifeline.
The away fans were sent into jubilation in the dying moments as Cunha collected the ball and drove towards the Brighton goal, with his effort deflecting up and over the keeper, off the crossbar and into the net, handing Wolves an unbelievable point.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION VS. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS HIGHLIGHTS
Danny Welbeck goal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (45th min, Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers)
© Imago
Who else but Welbeck!
Sa attempts to launch Wolves on the attack with a drop kick, but it is a poor one as Ferdi Kadioglu easily intercepts the ball high up the pitch, quickly playing it into the feet of Georginio Rutter.
Rutter drives forward and lays a perfectly-weighted ball into the path of Welbeck, with the striker hitting a first-time strike across goal and into the far corner, giving Brighton the lead and continuing his phenomenal start to the season.
Evan Ferguson goal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (85th min, Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers)
© Imago
Ferguson fires for the first time this season!
Wolves cause themselves problems yet again, this time as Carlos Forbes gives the ball away to Tariq Lamptey, who superbly races between two defenders and towards goal.
Lamptey looks to cut the ball across to Ferguson, and although the pass is slightly behind the striker, the Irishman takes a touch, sets himself with another, and then hammers the ball across goal into the far corner, scoring his first of the campaign and surely securing all three points.
Rayan Ait-Nouri goal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (88th min, Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Lifeline for Wolves!
Brighton fail to deal with a deep corner with multiple shots being blocked before the ball falls to the feet of Ait-Nouri, who smashes home a half-volley from just outside the six yard box to give Wolves hope in this game.
Matheus Cunha goal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (93rd min, Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers)
© Imago
Unbelievable, Cunha has equalised!
Brighton fail to capitalise on a four against one attack as the ball is cheaply given away to Tommy Doyle, and Wolves quickly turn defence into attack as a long pass forward is played into Cunha.
The attacker drives towards the Brighton box before firing a shot towards goal, with his effort deflecting over Bart Verbruggen, off the crossbar and into the net to give Wolves a sensational equaliser.
MAN OF THE MATCH - GEORGINIO RUTTER
© Imago
Rutter continued his superb relationship with Welbeck as he got the assist with a perfectly-weighted pass to the striker for Brighton's opener, and he was a constant threat throughout.
The attacking midfielder also played a big part in possession, making two key passes and creating one big chance, while also attempting four dribbles as he terrorized the Wolves players.
Rutter was a presence in the defence for Brighton as well, making one tackle, one interception and winning seven duels in his 80 minutes on the pitch.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION VS. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton & Hove Albion 52%-48% Wolverhampton Wanderers
Shots: Brighton & Hove Albion 19-14 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Shots on target: Brighton & Hove Albion 6-7 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Corners: Brighton & Hove Albion 9-6 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Fouls: Brighton & Hove Albion 11-10 Wolverhampton Wanderers
BEST STATS
Danny Welbeck's fantastic season continues 👏#BBCFootball #BHAWOL pic.twitter.com/8C4Ji1B3w6
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 26, 2024
Most Premier League goals scored for Brighton:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 26, 2024
◎ 30 - Pascal Gross
◉ 29 - Danny Welbeck
◎ 26 - Neal Maupay
◎ 26 - Glenn Murray
◎ 25 - Leandro Trossard
One more to equal the record. 💪#BHAWOL pic.twitter.com/uyeePDCqoA
Matheus Cunha has scored 12 away goals since the start of last PL season.
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) October 26, 2024
Only Erling Haaland has more (16). pic.twitter.com/xBhLisf2L9
WHAT NEXT?
A disappointing draw for Brighton means they failed to move into the top four, and they will now shift their focus preparing for a tough run of fixtures that sees them face Liverpool twice in four days, first in the EFL Cup and then in the Premier League, before taking on Manchester City in a fortnight.
The phenomenal late draw for Wolves means they narrowly avoid recording their worst-ever start to a campaign in their history, but they will continue their search for a first Premier League win of the season when they face Crystal Palace next Saturday.
Ellis Stevens
