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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Soccer-Dunk earns Brighton a comeback point against Wolves

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - January 2, 2021 Brighton & Hove Albion's Lewis Dunk scores their third goal Pool via REUTERS/John Sibley

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.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - January 2, 2021 Brighton & Hove Albion's Adam Webster and Neal Maupay celebrate after Lewis Dunk scored their third goal Pool via REUTERS/Mike Hewitt

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.

"To show the fight we did and get back in the game, it was a massive point, it was a tough game," Dunk said.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - January 2, 2021 Brighton & Hove Albion's Neal Maupay in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves Pool via REUTERS/Mike Hewitt

"The penalty (after halftime) was a momentum swing."

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.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - January 2, 2021 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Owen Otasowie reacts after missing a chance to score Pool via REUTERS/Glyn Kirk

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.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - January 2, 2021 Brighton & Hove Albion's Adam Webster in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Romain Saiss, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho Pool via REUTERS/Mike Hewitt

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.

The dangerous Trossard thought he had put Brighton ahead when he latched on to a long clearance by Sanchez and fired home 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.

"I'm sad and frustrated," said Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo. "We had the game under control and in the second half we should have done much better."

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Clare Fallon)

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