Wolves 1 Brighton 4

I’m more upset about the one than the four.

Yes, it was horrible to see us taken apart at the start of the second half, but Brighton are so good on the ball that any cracks in the resistance will always be exposed.

Gary O’Neil has to work out what exactly went wrong after the break to allow them such easy entry and turn an intriguing game into another bloodbath. They might argue it was always going that way, and they could be right.

Semedo can’t live with Mitoma, we knew that already. But right across that front line, their pace, technique and movement off the ball is on a different planet to anything Wolves can offer.

We got slapped by Chelsea at a similar time in the season under Nuno a few years back but I would say this Brighton team is even better. I’ll be surprised if we see many superior sides visit Molineux this season.

That being said, if Wolves had taken even half of the clear chances they created themselves, we could have easily stayed in the fight.

Fabio and Ait-Nouri were the main culprits today before the game sprinted away from us but plenty of others fluffed their lines when opportunity came knocking.

It’s even more frustrating than last season because some of the pacey, direct build up play is really quite encouraging. Cunha in particular was sensational again, but when he opens up the game, those ahead of him just aren’t cashing in.

Nunes was another to impress with some penetrating runs from deep, but two acts of pure petulance mean he now sits out the next game. How stupid.

The rest of the midfield struggled in and out of possession. Lemina got robbed in bad areas and Gomes was similarly wasteful at times. But again, Brighton are so aggressive and organised in the press, it means possession is always being taken in dangerous positions.

Part of that second half collapse was a result of our midfielders getting caught on the wrong side of the ball and seeing them both strolling back as Brighton made it four isn’t something I’d like to witness again.

Once the damage had been done, I credit the team for keeping on, getting us on the board with a goal and showing we can at least continue to ask a few questions of good teams.

I didn’t get too swept along with the good feeling post Old Trafford – we did lose. But at the same time, I’m not over thinking this one. Brighton are a lot better than us and the result, while unpleasant, can’t be viewed as unexpected.

The next two will tell us more.