10 MAY 2025
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the MOLINEUX STADIUM, WOLVERHAMPTON.
European chasing Albion made the trip to the Midlands to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier at the Molineux Stadium, the match being covered by BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous outing, the Albion had drawn 1-1 at home to Newcastle United on the 4 May and for their trip to Wolves the Seagulls made three changes to their starting line-up from the Newcastle game, with Adam Webster, Yasin Ayari and Tariq Lamptey coming in for Lewis Dunk (injured), Jack Hinshelwood and Simon Adingra.
Last time out, Wolves had lost 0-1 at Manchester City on the 2 May and for Albion's visit, Head Coach Vitor Pereira made one change to his starting line-up from that game, with Goncalo Guedes replacing Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
The teams had already met twice this season, on the 18 September 2024 at the Amex in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup when it finished 3-2 to the Albion and on the 26 October 2024 at the Amex in the Premier when the teams drew 2-2, with Albion's goals coming from Danny Welbeck (45m) and Evan Ferguson (85m), whilst Wolves goals were scored by Rayan Ait-Nouri (88m) and Matheus Cunha (90+3m).
At a sun-soaked Molineux, Wolves were fast out of the traps and spurned an early chance when Goncalo Guedes got on the end of a Matheus Cunha free-kick but could only steer his shot over the crossbar. Albion thought they had scored on 23 minutes when Danny Welbeck netted from Tariq Lamptey's cross but the goal was chalked off as Yankuba Minteh was adjudged to have been in an interfering offside position. Five minutes later the Seagulls were ahead, when Cunha brought down Mats Wieffer from behind in the box when the Dutchman was clear on goal. Referee Michael Oliver showed Cunha a yellow card when it should have been a red. Welbeck calmly converted the penalty-kick to put the Albion ahead. It was Welbeck's tenth Premier goal of the season and the first time he had achieved such a goal total in one season. 1-0.
Before the break, Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen was brought into action, saving efforts from Marshall Munetsi and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Half-time 1-0.
The second-half saw the Seagulls maintaining a low-block but Wolves managed to create a couple of chances, with Verbruggen saving Cunha's low shot and substitute Jean-Ricner Bellegarde fired a shot over the crossbar. Albion clinched the three points on 85 minutes when substitute Simon Adingra's run ended with a pass to fellow substitute Brajan Gruda, whose dinked shot looped over keeper Jose Sa for Albion's second. It was also Gruda's first goal for the Albion. 2-0.
The Seagulls comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to clinch a vital win in their quest for European football next season. Final-score 2-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 7 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
Wolves had 10 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
VERDICT - Albion produced a professional performance at Molineux to come away with the three points and enhanced their chance of European football next season. Congratulations to Danny Welbeck on scoring ten goals for the first time in his career and Brajan Gruda on scoring his first goal for the Albion.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Mats WIEFFER, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Adam WEBSTER, Pervis ESTUPINAN; Carlos BALEBA (Diego GOMEZ 79), Yasin AYARI (Jack HINSHELWOOD 94); Tariq LAMPTEY (Simon ADINGRA 59), Matt O'RILEY (Brajan GRUDA 59), Yankuba MINTEH (Kaoru MITOMA 80); Danny WELBECK (Capt).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Eiran CASHIN, Igor JULIO, Harry HOWELL.
Wolves line-up (3-4-2-1):- Jose SA; Matt DOHERTY (Rodrigo GOMES 59), Emmanuel AGBADOU, Toti GOMES; Nelson SEMEDO (Capt), Joao GOMES (Jean-Ricner BELLEGARDE 60), ANDRE (Mateus MANE 89), Rayan AIT-NOURI; Marshall MUNETSI, Matheus CUNHA (Jorgen STRAND LARSEN 59); Goncalo GUEDES (Pablo SARABIA 59).
Subs not used: Dan BENTLEY (G/K), Santiago BUENO, Nasser DJIGA, Boubacar TRAORE.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall.
VAR Official: James Bell.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 1 - Mats Wieffer. Wolves: 1 - Matheus Cunha.
Possession: Albion - 44%. Wolves - 56%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Matt O'Riley (Albion).
Attendance: 31279.
NEXT GAME:
19 MAY 2025 - LIVERPOOL - Home - Premier League - kick-off 20.00. "Live" on Sky Sports.