Brighton maintained their chase for a top-six finish in the Premier League as two early goals paved the way for a comfortable 3-0 victory over bottom club Wolves on Saturday.

Jack Hinshelwood and Lewis Dunk both scored headers inside the opening five minutes before Yankuba Minteh's fierce finish sealed the deal four minutes from time. 

It marked the end of a positive week both on and off the field for the Seagulls, who saw boss Fabian Hurzeler commit his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract. 

Hinshelwood needed just 35 seconds to open the scoring as he nodded Maxim De Cuyper's teasing cross home, after Andre had cheaply lost possession in his own half. 

Brighton pulled further clear four minutes later with De Cuyper involved again. This time, his corner towards the back post was met by Dunk's towering header past Dan Bentley. 

The hosts continued to dominate as Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck both went close, but Wolves improved after the break and hit the crossbar through Yerson Mosquera. 

Mateus Mane then stung the palms of Bart Verbruggen as Wolves showed signs of life, but their hopes were extinguished four minutes from time by Minteh, who thundered the ball in at the near post after brilliantly skipping past Santiago Bueno. 

Data Debrief: Hinshelwood leading European charge

After suffering a potentially damaging defeat to Newcastle United last time out, Brighton got themselves back on track with a routine victory over Wolves, and Hurzeler's side never looked back after opening the scoring inside the first minute. 

At 35 seconds, Hinshelwood's opening goal was Brighton's earliest in the Premier League, overtaking Alexis Mac Allister's effort after 49 seconds against Aston Villa in November 2022. The midfielder has also now scored in three consecutive league games, becoming just the fifth player to do so for the Seagulls. 

And though Wolves had their moments, Brighton were deserving of their win. They registered an expected goals (xG) total of 1.46 from 13 shots, compared to their opponents' 0.46 from five attempts. 

But it proved to be more doom and gloom for Rob Edwards, as Wolves became just the second team to have lost against every side they have faced in a single Premier League campaign, after Sheffield United in 2023-24.