Brighton & Hove Albion received an early attacking lift as Charalampos Kostoulas scored twice in a 4-1 friendly win over Wycombe Wanderers.
The Greece international started alongside Danny Welbeck at the club’s Lancing training ground and struck twice during an encouraging first-half display.
Kostoulas opened the scoring after 15 minutes. Pascal Struijk released Yankuba Minteh down the left before the winger found Kostoulas, who guided a composed finish across goalkeeper Matt Macey.
His second arrived ten minutes later when Ibrahim Osman reached the byline and provided a simple finish inside the six-yard box.
Kostoulas gives Hürzeler an important attacking option
Kostoulas also created an opportunity for Welbeck while operating in a deeper role behind the experienced striker.
The performance provided an immediate indication of the progress he has made since joining Brighton from Olympiacos.
He was kept away from the main group during the opening stages of his first pre-season as Brighton helped him adapt to a new training environment.
A year later, Kostoulas has started the opening friendly and produced two confident finishes.
Osman added Brighton’s third with an improvised overhead kick before Wycombe reduced the deficit from a corner.
Georginio Rutter completed the scoring with a powerful header from Olivier Boscagli’s cross, as confirmed in Brighton’s official match report.
Kostoulas’ display gives Fabian Hürzeler another option behind Welbeck, particularly while Stefanos Tzimas continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.
Read Brighton recently examined Tzimas’ return to outdoor training, highlighting the growing competition across Albion’s forward positions.
Kostoulas could hardly have made a stronger start to that battle.
