Brighton enhanced their European qualification prospects with a commanding 3-0 victory over already-relegated Wolves at the Amex Stadium. Jack Hinshelwood and Lewis Dunk scored headers inside the first five minutes, and Yankuba Minteh added a third late on. The win lifted Brighton to seventh place, but Bournemouth's triumph at Fulham means the Seagulls remain two points behind the sixth-placed Cherries with two matches remaining. Sixth position could secure a spot in next season's Champions League, adding extra significance to the contest.
The hosts wasted no time asserting their superiority. After just 35 seconds, Hinshelwood met Maxim De Cuyper's cross to head home, scoring for the third consecutive game. Captain Dunk then doubled the advantage in the fifth minute, nodding in from De Cuyper's corner at the back post. Wolves, already condemned to the Championship, offered minimal resistance in the first half. They failed to muster a single shot, prompting Sky Sports pundit Michael Dawson to label their display 'pathetic'.
The second half saw a slight improvement from the visitors. Wolves struck the woodwork twice and managed to register a shot on target, but they never truly threatened Brighton's comfortable lead. The Seagulls remained in control and looked composed throughout.
The only sour note for Brighton was a hamstring injury to winger Kaoru Mitoma, who was forced off in the 58th minute. His absence could be a concern for the final two fixtures.
Brighton put the result beyond doubt in the 86th minute when Minteh slammed the ball into the net from inside the box. The goal capped a perfect afternoon for manager Fabian Hurzeler, who had signed a new three-year contract earlier in the week.
With two games left, Brighton must continue winning to secure a European place. The competition is intense, but this performance underlined their attacking efficiency and defensive solidity.
Based on reporting from SkySports | News.