--- title: "Brighton v Wolves Player Ratings: De Cuyper Shines with 9/10 as Seagulls Cruise at the Amex" canonical: "https://readbrighton.com/2026/05/10/brighton-v-wolves-player-ratings-de-cuyper-shines-with-9-10-as-seagulls-cruise-at-the-amex-brighton-news/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Aaron McNicholas" section: "Brighton News" published: "2026-05-10T12:01:00Z" modified: "2026-05-10T12:01:00Z" --- # Brighton v Wolves Player Ratings: De Cuyper Shines with 9/10 as Seagulls Cruise at the Amex **At a glance** - **Brighton raced into a two-goal lead inside five minutes** - **Maxim De Cuyper starred with two assists and a 9/10 rating** - **Seagulls boosted their European hopes with a dominant 3-0 win** * * * Brighton kept their European ambitions firmly on track with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Wolves at the [Amex Stadium](https://readbrighton.com/2026/05/08/brightons-the-terrace-can-boost-premier-league-revenue/) as [Fabian Hurzeler](https://readbrighton.com/2026/05/09/profile-fabian-hurzeler/)’s side produced a blistering start and never looked back. The hosts needed just 36 seconds to break the deadlock in what became Brighton’s fastest-ever Premier League goal. Returning to the starting line-up for the first time since February, Maxim De Cuyper wasted little time making an impression. The Belgian curled in a teasing delivery and Jack Hinshelwood climbed above the Wolves defence to thunder home his third goal in as many matches. Before Wolves had a chance to regroup Brighton struck again. De Cuyper turned provider once more with a pinpoint corner that found captain Lewis Dunk completely free inside the area and the defender powered in a header for his first goal of the campaign. Brighton were playing with confidence and flair throughout the opening half. Dunk nearly added another with a close-range header that drifted wide while Kaoru Mitoma tormented Wolves down the flank and narrowly missed the target after cutting inside. > Yankuba firing in our third! 🎯 [@MonsterEnergy](https://twitter.com/MonsterEnergy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ⚡️ [pic.twitter.com/FAQQopydMe](https://t.co/FAQQopydMe) > > — Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) [May 10, 2026](https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/2053391391120617888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) The visitors showed greater intent after the interval and twice rattled the woodwork through Hwang Hee-chan and Cristhian Mosquera. For brief moments [Wolves](https://www.wolves.co.uk/) threatened to make a contest of it but Brighton remained composed and clinical. Any lingering doubts were swept away when Yankuba Minteh produced a moment of real quality midway through the second half. The winger darted in from the left before unleashing a fierce left-footed finish beyond Daniel Bentley to seal the points in style. The result lifts Brighton into seventh place and adds fresh momentum to their push for European football next season. **Read More:** [Yankuba Minteh Backs Brighton for Champions League After Wolves Victory](https://readbrighton.com/2026/05/10/yankuba-minteh-backs-brighton-for-champions-league-after-wolves-victory-brighton-news/) ## Fast Start Sets the Tone for Brighton Brighton’s lightning-quick opening stunned Wolves and laid the foundations for a comfortable afternoon on the south coast. Hinshelwood’s early header sparked the hosts into life and De Cuyper’s creativity proved decisive during a relentless opening spell. Wolves improved after the interval and struck the woodwork twice but Brighton always looked in control as they closed out an important victory. ## Brighton v Wolves Player Ratings **Bart Verbruggen 7/10**\ A quiet afternoon for long spells but still had to stay alert. Fortune favoured him when Wolves struck the frame of the goal twice after the break. **Ferdi Kadioglu 8/10**\ Looked completely comfortable after switching to right-back and later moving across to the left side. Calm in possession and full of energy throughout. **Jan Paul van Hecke 6/10**\ Caught out once by Hwang in the second half but otherwise dealt with Wolves’ attack without too many alarms. **Lewis Dunk 7/10**\ Led from the front with a commanding display and a well-taken header. His passing from deep was a major weapon and several long balls towards Mitoma were superbly measured. **Maxim De Cuyper 9/10**\ A dream return to the starting side. Two assists inside the opening five minutes and a constant attacking outlet down the left. Creative and composed in equal measure. **Carlos Baleba 8/10**\ Another encouraging performance from the midfielder who is beginning to show real consistency. Strong in the challenge and increasingly influential on the ball. **Pascal Gross 7/10**\ Elegant and efficient in midfield. Controlled the tempo well and remained a threat whenever Brighton had a set-piece opportunity. **Yankuba Minteh 8/10**\ A lively display capped by an excellent goal. His direct running caused problems all afternoon and the finish should do wonders for his confidence. **Jack Hinshelwood 8/10**\ Continues to thrive in an advanced role. Took his early goal brilliantly and linked play intelligently throughout. **Kaoru Mitoma 7/10**\ Bright and dangerous during the first half with his movement helping create the opener. Brighton fans will hope the injury that forced him off is not a serious one. **Danny Welbeck 6/10**\ Worked hard up front and tested Bentley with a first-half header but could not add to his tally for the season. ## Brighton Substitutes Ratings > These scenes… 🥰💙 [pic.twitter.com/Ha6G3Nc86K](https://t.co/Ha6G3Nc86K) > > — Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) [May 10, 2026](https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/2053425817011507714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Joel Veltman 6/10**\ Settled quickly after replacing Mitoma. **Georginio 6/10**\ Added energy late on without creating clear openings. **Yasin Ayari 6/10**\ Helped Brighton maintain control in midfield during the closing stages. **Charalampos Kostoulas 6/10**\ Brief cameo as Brighton comfortably saw out the win. **Follow all the latest Brighton & Hove Albion [news](https://readbrighton.com/news/) through Read Brighton.**