Brighton continued their surge back to European football with a comfortable 3-0 win against bottom-of-the-league Wolves.
It was the perfect start to a new three-year contract for Fabian Hürzeler, as his side bounced back from last weekend’s defeat in Newcastle to go up to seventh in the league.
Brighton’s 7th win in their last 10 kick-started just 38 seconds in, as Sussex-born Jack Hinshelwood placed a brilliant header into the top right corner after a brilliant cross from Maxim De Cuyper.
The relentless start from Brighton carried on as they nearly found a second in the fourth minute. Yankuba Minteh found Karou Mitoma with an excellent crossfield pass. Mitoma then found Minteh again, who won his side a corner.
The corner was swung in by De Cuyper, and skipper Lewis Dunk came towering in around the back and headed Brighton into a two-goal lead in the opening five minutes.
De Cuyper had an excellent influence early on, already with two assists, and he nearly had a third. Danny Welbeck and Hinshelwood linked up neatly, with the latter finding the overlapping wing-back. The Belgians pass found Mitoma, but he slashed his shot wide of the target.
Wolves then managed to keep Brighton quiet until the twentieth minute, when Brighton’s next effort on goal came. Pascal Gross found Minteh with an excellent switch of play, the winger then crossed to find Welbeck. The talisman’s header was just about clawed out for a corner by Daniel Bentley in the Wolves’ goal.
The halftime whistle gave both bosses a chance to re-evaluate their ideas.
The first chances of the half fell to the hosts again, as Mitoma had a curling effort blocked, and Welbeck had a header comfortably saved after a trademark turn and cross from Gross.
Just after the 50th minute mark, Wolves very nearly found themselves back in the game. A cross came in from Mateus Mane, but the header from Yerson Mosquera clipped the bar and went over.
Whatever Wolves boss Rob Edwards said at half-time clearly had an effect on his side, as they found themselves with another chance, as Hwang Hee Chan fired a shot off the inside of the post, but the flag was up anyway.
Fan-favourite Karou Mitoma was forced off just before the hour mark with what appeared to be a muscle injury. Joel Veltman replaced him.
There was another let-off for Brighton as Mane trickled into the box and had a shot saved low by Bart Verbruggen, and Adam Armstrong couldn’t find space to get a shot away.
With thirteen minutes left, Brighton nearly added a third. Minteh’s cross found Hinshelwood, who fired a ball across the box, which Gross neatly backheeled, but Bentley saved and held.
Brighton then got their third that they wanted, and it came after some tidy football. Minteh, Gross, and substitute Georginio Rutter all combined excellently, with Minteh then firing a fierce strike home.
The Seagulls saw the game through and got a clean sheet, which puts the cherry on top.
Brighton’s next match is an away trip to Leeds United, whereas Wolves play host to Fulham.
TEAMS:
Brighton & Hove Albion: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Minteh, Hinshelwood (Kostoulas 87’), Baleba (Ayari 75’), Welbeck (Georginio 75’), Mitoma (Veltman 57’), Kadioglu, De Cuyper (March 87’), Gross
Unused substitutes: Steele, March, Milner, Boscagli,, O’Riley,
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Bentley, Lima (R.Gomes 66’), Mosquera, S.Bueno, Toti, H.Bueno (Wolfe 46’), Andre, J.Gomes (Arokodare 89′), Mane (Bellegarde 66’), Armstrong, Hwang (A.Gomes 89′)
Unused substitutes: Gracey, Doherty, Krecji, Tchatchoua
Attendance: 31,587
Author
William Charlton
