Brighton Manager Fabian Hurzeler Criticises Team's Professionalism Following Late Draw Against Wolves

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Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler criticised his team for lacking professionalism after they let a 2-0 lead slip against Wolves with just two minutes left. Goals from Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson had put Brighton in a strong position for their fifth win of the season. However, a late collapse saw them concede twice, resulting in a draw.

Rayan Ait-Nouri reduced Wolves' deficit in the 88th minute. Brighton then missed a golden opportunity with a four-on-one chance before Matheus Cunha scored an equaliser in stoppage time. This result marked the first time since October 2022 that Brighton failed to secure a Premier League victory after leading by two goals.

Hurzeler emphasised the need for his team to learn from this experience. "We were not clean enough in the defending during the last 10 minutes. We were too passive and not professional enough to finish the game in an ugly way," he stated. He stressed the importance of learning how to manage games effectively, even if it means winning in an unattractive manner.

For Wolves manager Gary O'Neil, the result was significant amid mounting pressure due to a challenging start to the season. His team had already faced tough opponents like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City. O'Neil expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, saying, "Obviously coming back late gives everyone a lift. It was something we deserved from the game."

O'Neil praised his players for their resilience, noting that despite being 2-0 down at 85 minutes, they dominated the second half. He acknowledged their efforts against strong teams and highlighted their ability to be the better side for 45 minutes.

The match ended on a chaotic note but provided Wolves with much-needed points and confidence. O'Neil remarked on their unusual approach but expressed delight for his players who had faced tough situations recently.

Brighton's failure to secure victory despite leading highlights areas needing improvement. Hurzeler hopes these experiences will help his team grow stronger and learn how to handle challenging situations better in future matches.