Express & Star

Nuno delighted with Wolves duo

Nuno Espirito Santo has hailed match-winner Morgan Gibbs-White and game-changer Adama Traore after Wolves fought back from behind to seal a dramatic victory over Brighton.

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Traore scored a 'beautiful' goal as a substitute before Gibbs-White won it at the death with his first Premier League strike – after Lewis Dunk had put the Seagulls ahead.

Dunk was sent off in the second half for the visitors while Neal Maupay was also dismissed after the final whistle, and Nuno was keen to praise academy product Gibbs-White after a topsy-turvy 90 minutes in the last game without fans at Molineux.

"He did a good job. He had a good game full of movement, especially in the second half," said Nuno on Gibbs-White, who emphatically found the top corner minutes after somehow failing to find an open goal.

"He started on the right but then he came inside and did well.

"It shows character to get the balance and be focused again after that awful mistake he made.

"So, I'm very happy for Morgan. He should be proud of the work he did, and not only in this game.

"I'm very, very happy for Morgan. He's a young boy with a good attitude, so let's keep on going."

Dunk was sent off for tugging back Fabio Silva, as last man, shortly after the interval.

Traore was swiftly introduced and proceeded to wreak havoc, linking up with Silva and firing in the equaliser.

"I think he changed the game. He totally changed the game," said Nuno.

"When Adama came in, he changed the game. The impact he had, one-v-ones and crosses from wide areas.

"Brighton had to put two or three players to cover that left-hand side and that made spaces for the others.

"He scored a fantastic goal, a beautiful combination, so I'm very happy for Adama.

"He deserves that because he's a fantastic player. It's too bad the South Bank was not there to celebrate."

Wolves' next game at Molineux will be in front of a limited crowd as they finish the 2020/21 campaign against Manchester United.

"We did a very bad first half. Very bad," added Nuno.

"There was a lack of energy and we didn't play good. Brighton was comfortable on the ball. We didn't threat or break lines.

"The boys, though, showed a good reaction for the second half – even before the red card. We started on the front foot.

"Ki-Jana Hoever did a very good game. Max Kilman stated a bit shaky but then settled down and did a good game.

"Vitinha, Fabio, we have a lot of youth but we stayed united.

"It requires patience, knowing the gaps will be there. We got a little bit lucky, but we chased that and the boys did well."