Brighton edge past Wolves to reach fourth round
Brighton’s impressive start to the season continued after progressing to the Carabao Cup fourth round following a battling win over Wolves.
Victory means Fabian Hurzeler is still undefeated in his six games as Brighton boss, winning four.
Carlos Baleba fired the Seagulls into the lead in the 14th minute with a sublime left-footed strike into the bottom corner from outside the box.
Brighton doubled their lead 17 minutes later after Simon Adingra cut in from the left, skipped beyond two defenders and powered a shot beyond Wolves keeper Jose Sa.
Gary O’Neil’s Wolves responded just before half-time as Matt Doherty’s cut back was guided past Jason Steele by Goncalo Guedes.
Turkish full-back Ferdi Kadioglu, who signed from Fenerbahce in the summer, reinstated the Seagulls’ two-goal lead with his first goal for the club in the 85th minute.
Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle smashed in a strike from the edge of the box in stoppage time to make it a nervy ending for Brighton, but they were able to hold on to the victory.
The visitors had a number of chances to score early in the second half as Rodrigo Gomes surged through on Brighton goalkeeper Steele, but his fine save kept his side in the lead.
O’Neil’s side thought they had made it 2-2 after Adam Webster looked to have bundled Nelson Semedo’s cross into his net but Jack Hinshelwood produced an incredible clearance off the line.
Wolves’ have now won just once season – in the second round against Championship side Burnley.