Brighton & Hove Albion secured a crucial 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium on Saturday, May 10, 2025, keeping their hopes alive for a European spot in the Premier League. Goals from Danny Welbeck and Brajan Gruda sealed the victory for the Seagulls, who capitalized on Wolves’ missed opportunities in a match that showcased both teams’ contrasting fortunes.
The game began with Wolves, under the guidance of head coach Vitor Pereira, looking to bounce back from their recent 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, which had ended their impressive six-match winning streak. The home side started brightly, controlling possession and pressing high, with Matheus Cunha and Goncalo Guedes testing Brighton’s defense early on. However, their inability to convert chances would prove costly. A defensive error in the 22nd minute handed Brighton the lead when Cunha’s mistimed challenge in the box resulted in a penalty. Welbeck stepped up confidently, slotting the ball past Wolves’ goalkeeper to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
Brighton, managed by Fabian Hurzeler, grew into the game after the opener, with their midfield trio of Carlos Baleba, Matt O’Riley, and Yasin Ayari dictating the tempo. Yankuba Minteh’s pace on the wing troubled Wolves’ Nelson Semedo, while Welbeck’s movement kept the home defense on edge. Wolves responded with vigor, as Rayan Ait-Nouri’s marauding runs down the left flank created several half-chances, but Brighton’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen remained untested. The Seagulls’ resolute defending, led by Jan Paul van Hecke and Adam Webster, ensured they went into halftime with their lead intact.
The second half saw Wolves push for an equalizer, with Pereira introducing substitutes to inject fresh energy. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Hwang Hee-chan added pace, but Brighton’s disciplined shape held firm. The turning point came in the 54th minute when Simon Adingra’s precise pass found Gruda, who finished clinically to double Brighton’s lead. The goal deflated Wolves, who struggled to create clear-cut opportunities despite dominating possession. A late chance for Bellegarde, assisted by Marshall Munetsi, sailed over the bar, summing up Wolves’ frustrating afternoon.
Brighton’s victory moves them to 55 points, level with eighth-placed Brentford, as they chase a potential Europa Conference League spot. The Seagulls have now gone unbeaten in their last six Premier League encounters against Wolves, scoring 18 goals in that run. For Wolves, the defeat sees them slip to 14th with 41 points, their European aspirations all but extinguished. Pereira, reflecting post-match, lamented his team’s lack of “intelligence” in key moments, while Hurzeler praised his side’s clinical edge.