At a glance
- Brighton win 2-0 vs Wolves
- Hinshelwood and Dunk the goalscorers
- Seagulls rise to seventh
Brighton rose to seventh place following their 2-0 win over Wolves. Early goals from local lads Jack Hinshelwood and Lewis Dunk saw the Seagulls extend their unbeaten league run against Wolves to nine games.
Hinshelwood broke the deadlock inside just 35 seconds to score his third goal in as many games. Maxim De Cuyper claimed the assist with a lofted cross from the left wing towards the penalty spot. The 21-year-old arrived late to head past Dan Bentley and give his side the lead.
Lewis Dunk ended his two-year goal drought
Just four minutes later, Brighton doubled their advantage through captain Lewis Dunk. De Cuyper crafted the goal again, whipping an inswinging cross towards the back post.
He found Dunk who headed into the back of the net to score his first goal for the Seagulls since March 2024 in a 4-1 win over rivals Crystal Palace.
Despite an electric start from the Albion and some beautiful, free-flowing football on display, they were unable to add another goal in the 40 minutes that remained in the first half.
Brighton made to work in the second half
They could have had a third in the 20th minute as a cross was aimed at the back post once again. This time it was met by Danny Welbeck whose effort was clawed away from Bentley.
Brighton did get their third, but Wolves made them wait. It came courtesy of Yankuba Minteh who netted his third goal of the season. Pascal Gross poked the ball through to the Gambian who applied the finishing touch with a thumping left-footed strike.
After the interval, Wolves were the better side and looked more likely to score than the hosts. The first opportunity fell to Yerson Mosquera who struck the crossbar with his header after getting on the end of Matheus Mane’s left-footed cross.
Moments later, Hwang Hee Chan went through on goal and struck the post, however the offside flag was raised shortly after.
Despite a less convincing second half, Brighton came away with all three points to keep their European hopes alive heading into the final two games of the season. Next up, they face Leeds United at Elland Road.
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Mitoma forced off with injury
The only dampener on what was otherwise a good afternoon for the Albion, was that Kaoru Mitoma was forced off not long into the second half with a hamstring injury.
The Japan international went down clutching his right hamstring after a run down the left flank. Should he have pulled his muscle, Mitoma will likely be out for the remainder of the season.
It also raises questions regarding his initial availability for the World Cup, which begins in four weeks.
On a more positive front injury-wise, Solly March returned to the pitch for the first time since Brighton’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. It was the only Englishman’s 10th appearance for the Seagulls under Fabian Hurzeler.
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