Wolves 1-1 Brighton Player Ratings: Jan Paul Rated 8.5/10 as Late Drama Sees a 1-1 Draw

A pulsating encounter at the Molineux Stadium saw Wolves and Brighton share the points in a dramatic 1-1 draw. It was a game of two halves, with Wolves getting to control early on before Brighton mounted a comeback. The hosts found themselves ahead in the most bizarre of circumstances. A promising Wolves attack culminated in a shot that was saved, but the rebound cannoned off the unfortunate Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen, and trickled into the net for an own goal. What stood out to us was how Brighton didn't let their heads drop.

Game could have gone either way, with Wolves hitting the woodwork and Brighton forcing several key saves from the home goalkeeper. Just when it seemed Wolves would hang on for a gritty win, Jan Paul van Hecke rose highest from a corner to power home a header, securing a deserved point for the visitors. The final whistle confirmed what felt like a fair result in this match.

Here are Wolves Vs Brighton Player Ratings

Wolves Player Ratings vs Brighton

Here are Wolves Player Ratings vs Brighton

Goalkeeper

Sam Johnstone - 7.5: We thought Johnstone was immense today. He made a total of five saves, including three from inside the box, to keep his team in the lead for so long. One particular save in the second half from a close-range shot was world-class. He commanded his area well and couldn't do anything about the late goal. A very solid performance between the sticks.

Defenders

Hugo Bueno - 7.0: A really energetic performance from the fullback before being substituted. He created two key passes and was a constant outlet on the left. Defensively, he won most of his duels and made a couple of important tackles. His delivery into the box was a consistent threat. We noticed his attacking drive was a key part of Wolves' game plan.

Santiago Bueno - 6.0: A mixed bag from Santiago Bueno, from our perspective. He picked up a yellow card and was dribbled past twice, which put his side under pressure. While he made a few clearances, he looked a little off the pace and lost possession a few times. Not his best day at the office.

Ladislav Krejci - 7.0: A strong and commanding presence at the back. He was dominant in the air, winning four of his five aerial duels. His pass completion was solid, and he made an impressive five clearances. We were impressed by his reading of the game and his no-nonsense defending kept Brighton's forwards quiet for large spells.

Jackson Tchatchoua - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, performance. He made a crucial seven clearances and recovered the ball eight times, showing good defensive awareness. However, an error leading to a shot slightly tarnished his display. He was generally reliable but had a couple of nervy moments.

Midfielders

Marshall Munetsi - 7.0: Munetsi was a real livewire in the midfield. He was unlucky not to score, striking the woodwork with a powerful effort. He won an impressive seven duels and showed great energy getting up and down the pitch. His performance was full of fight, though his passing could have been tidier.

André - 6.5: André had a busy game in the middle of the park, making nine ball recoveries. He kept the ball moving with a high pass accuracy but also lost possession ten times. He picked up a late yellow card for a cynical foul. It was a battling display, but he lacked some quality in key moments.

João Gomes - 7.0: The captain led by example with an all-action display. He was everywhere, making four tackles and constantly breaking up play. His work rate was phenomenal, and he was a disruptive force against Brighton's midfield. His passing was mostly tidy, and he provided good protection for his backline.

Forwards

Jørgen Strand Larsen - 6.5: So incredibly unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. His powerful shot that struck the post was a moment of real quality. He struggled in his duels, winning only four of eleven, and looked a bit isolated at times. From our perspective, he worked hard but things just didn't quite fall for him.

Jhon Arias - 7.5: Wolves' most dangerous attacker in our opinion. He was a constant threat, registering two shots and testing the keeper with one. His 93% pass accuracy was superb for a forward player, and he linked up play effectively. He always looked like making something happen whenever he got on the ball.

Hee-chan Hwang - 6.5: A frustrating evening for the South Korean forward. He drew three fouls and worked hard for the team, but he offered little in terms of goal threat before being substituted. He won a good number of his duels but failed to make a significant impact in the final third.

Manager

V. de Oliveira Lopes Pereira - 6.5: His team started brightly and was well-organized, deservedly taking the lead. However, they seemed to drop deeper and deeper as the game wore on, inviting pressure. The inability to hold onto the lead against a determined Brighton side raises some questions about the in-game management. A point isn't a bad result, but it felt like three were there for the taking.

Brighton Player Ratings vs Wolves

Here are Brighton Player Ratings vs Wolves

Goalkeeper

Bart Verbruggen - 6.0: It's hard to rate a keeper who concedes such a freakish own goal. He was desperately unlucky for the opener. Besides that bizarre moment, he made three saves, including two from inside the box, and looked generally composed. His distribution was solid as always. A tough day, but he didn't let the error affect him too much.

Defenders

Lewis Dunk - 6.5: A typical performance from the captain. He was very tidy in possession, completing 91% of his passes, but he wasn't as dominant defensively as we've come to expect. He got booked for a rash challenge and lost a couple of key duels. Solid, but not spectacular.

Jan Paul van Hecke - 8.5: Our clear Man of the Match. What a colossal performance. He was a rock at the back, winning ten of his thirteen duels and six aerial battles. Then, he pops up with the crucial late equalizer with a fantastic header. An absolutely complete performance from the defender, who was immense from start to finish.

Ferdi Kadioglu - 6.5: A decent outing for the full-back. He was very secure on the ball, with a 91% pass accuracy, and tried to support the attack with four crosses. Defensively, he was sound enough, making a tackle and a couple of clearances. He fulfilled his role without pulling up any trees.

Mats Wieffer - 6.0: A difficult evening for Wieffer, who was hooked after 70 minutes. He picked up a yellow card and seemed to struggle with the pace of the game at times. While he made a couple of key passes, he also lost possession too frequently. Not a surprise to see him substituted.

Midfielders

Brajan Gruda - 6.5: He looked lively and was always trying to make things happen. He attempted seven dribbles and had three shots on goal. However, what stood out to us was the big chance he missed from close range in the first half. A performance full of endeavor but lacking that clinical edge.

Yankuba Minteh - 7.5: Brighton's creative spark. He created a brilliant four chances for his teammates and delivered ten crosses into the box. His direct running and willingness to take players on caused Wolves problems all game. He was a bit wasteful in possession at times, but his positive play was key to Brighton's comeback.

Carlos Baleba - 6.0: A very short-lived appearance as he was substituted at half-time. He picked up an early yellow card and seemed to be walking a tightrope. He won most of his tackles but didn't have enough time to influence the game in any meaningful way.

Diego Gómez - 6.5: A combative display from the midfielder. He made a massive five tackles but his pass accuracy of 67% was poor. He worked tirelessly but his use of the ball let him down. He was a disruptive presence, which was needed, but lacked composure.

Yasin Ayari - 7.0: A very tidy and efficient performance. With a 92% pass accuracy, he kept Brighton ticking over in midfield and barely gave the ball away. He chipped in defensively with three tackles and an interception. From our perspective, he was one of Brighton's unsung heroes on the day.

Forwards

Danny Welbeck - 5.0: A really poor performance from the veteran forward. According to the stats, he made an error that led to a goal and looked completely off the pace. He won just one of his ten duels and was dispossessed twice. He offered very little threat and it was a surprise he stayed on for the full 90 minutes.

Manager

F. Hürzeler - 7.0: We have to credit the Brighton boss. His team fell behind to a fluke goal but he rallied his troops at halftime. His substitutions made a positive impact, and his team showed great character to fight back and earn a point. The tactical switch to put more pressure on Wolves in the second half paid off handsomely.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Jan Paul