BRIGHTON remain in the hunt for potential Champions League qualification as boss Fabian Hurzeler marked the signing of a new contract in style.
Two goals in the opening five minutes – from Englishmen Jack Hinshelwood, on 35 seconds, and Lewis Dunk – and then a late Yankuba Minteh strike sunk weak Wolves, one of the worst teams in Premier League history.
Jack Hinshelwood took just 37 seconds to break the deadlock against relegated Wolves Credit: Alamy
The midfielder celebrated wildly after Brighton got their early goal Credit: Getty
If the Seagulls win their final two matches – and results involving Bournemouth and Brentford go their way – then they could be dining at the top table of continental football.
Hurzeler, days after he agreed to stay on the South Coast until 2029, will be praying German side Freiburg lose to Aston Villa in Istanbul on May 20 in the Europa League Final.
If Villa reign in Europe and finish fifth, and only fifth, then sixth place in the Prem will secure an extra spot in the Champions League.
All thanks to a new concept called Uefa’s European Performance Spot – or EPS because football loves an acronym.
Only once before have Brighton dusted off their passports for European combat but if things go to plan, the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain could be here come the autumn.
In bright spring sunshine, with global superstar Fat Boy Slim doing a surprise DJ set for punters in the fans’ zone, it was party time in Sussex for everyone connected with Brighton.
Lewis Dunk headed home Brighton’s second just minutes later Credit: Getty
Inside the Amex Stadium, blue-and-white-striped fans were dancing and jigging as early as the first minute when Hinshelwood continued his fine form by scoring for the third successive match.
After Wolves carelessly lost possession in midfield, the ball was fed out to Brighton full-back Maxim De Cuyper and the Belgian’s delightful cross was attacked with purpose by the Worthing lad.
It was a superb header, timed at 35 seconds on the match clock, which some visiting spectators missed as they were only just making their way to their seats.
It is Brighton’s earliest ever goal in the Premier League – yes, there was football before 1992, but it is still a landmark moment.
Dunk kicked a corner flag as Brighton continued their chase of European football Credit: Alamy
Yankuba Minteh thumped home a third to wrap up a confident win Credit: Reuters
If the travelling contingent had not felt shell-shocked by that awful start, then worse was to come as Wolves failed to defend the first corner.
De Cuyper was the provider again and giant captain Dunk outmuscled Joao Gomes at the back post to score with a powerful header.
No wonder boss Rob Edwards puffed out his cheeks as he turned to his bench, confused and dazed by what he had just witnessed.
Last weekend, the English chief chose to escape down the Molineux tunnel rather than salute the home supporters, choosing not to “incite” an already furious fanbase.
By 3.05pm, this match was essentially over as a contest – the two early goals squeezed out all the jeopardy and motivation.
There were other chances in the first half to increase that advantage, with Kaoru Mitoma shooting wide and then Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley had to save a downward header from Danny Welbeck.
However, sun-bathed supporters had to wait until the closing stages before another goal arrived.
And Brighton made it two back-to-back 3-0 wins as Gambian Minteh, 21, beat Bentley with power and pace at the near post on 86 minutes.
Wolves, as rubbish as they had been in the first half, improved significantly in the second half.
A five-yard header by Yerson Mosquera clipped the top of the bar, Hwang Hee-Chan hit a post, though he was offside, and then Mateus Mane drew a decent stop from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Wolves are the only team this season in English professional football not to win a league match away from home.
If they fail to beat fellow Championship-bound Burnley on May 24, then they will become the seventh side in the Prem, and first for 16 years, to undergo a winless travel itinerary.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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