Wolves are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals after beating Brighton 1-0 at Molineux – and Tommy Doyle was named the BBC’s Player of the Match.
Wanderers defeated the Seagulls for the first time in six attempts, with Mario Lemina scoring inside two minutes.
It was a slog at times for Wolves, with Brighton dominating the ball.
But Wolves’ shape was good throughout the game, and Jose Sa actually didn’t have too many big saves to make in the game.
Wolves lost Hwang Hee-chan to injury which is worrying, and Gary O’Neil will hopefully be able to provide some good news about the South Korean, but he did not look at all comfortable when he came off.
It was a hard-fought win for Wolves – and at the end of the game, BBC pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis praised Molineux midfield maestro Tommy Doyle…
Tommy Doyle ‘didn’t put a foot wrong’ v Brighton as Wolves book FA Cup quarter-final place
O’Neil decided to go with three central midfielders tonight, with Doyle joining Lemina and Joao Gomes in the engine room. He was one of two players Molineux legend Andy Thompson felt could come into the team tonight – the other being Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
It was a plan that seemed to work, with the trio providing decent protection for the defence.
Doyle, 22, was the deep-lying midfielder tonight for Wolves, with the other two pressing higher and providing the energy.
Doyle was always offering to get on the ball and used it sensibly. Sofascore data indicates he completed 21/28 passes (75%), made four tackles, and won 5/7 duels.
Speaking as the game was nearing full-time, Rachel Brown-Finnis said on commentary (via BBC iPlayer): “The defensive unit has been absolutely sublime but that has been assured and bolstered by this young man Tommy Doyle.
“Sat in front of the defence all night and has not put a foot wrong. In possession, out of possession, he’s done the unsung hero’s job. He’s my player of the match.”
A great job from Tommy Doyle
Tonight was another slog, a bit like that second-half on Sunday against Sheffield United, but Wolves got the job done.
A big defensive effort was required and the three centre-halves were all really good, but Doyle did work his socks off in the engine room to give them some more protection.
It probably wasn’t really his type of game, with Brighton having more of the ball. It was always like to suit Lemina and Gomes more.
But he did really well in there regardless, and Gary O’Neil will no doubt be delighted with his contribution this evening.