Brighton put their European push firmly back on track by flying out of the blocks to beat already-relegated Wolves 3-0 at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls needed only 35 seconds to breach the visitors' defence and were two goals clear inside the opening five minutes, leaving the Premier League's bottom side reeling before they could settle.
Headers from Jack Hinshelwood and Lewis Dunk did the early damage before Yankuba Minteh added a late third. The win lifted Brighton to seventh on 53 points, though Bournemouth's victory at Fulham means the Seagulls remain two points behind the sixth-placed Cherries with two games to play, with sixth potentially enough to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Lightning Start Stuns the Bottom Club
The difference in motivation and hunger between the two sides was evident almost immediately. After Wolves midfielder André conceded possession in his own half, Maxim De Cuyper crossed from the left and Hinshelwood thumped a header into the top-right corner after just 35 seconds. It was the earliest Brighton have ever scored in the Premier League and a third goal in three consecutive games for the midfielder, adding to his strikes against Chelsea and Newcastle.