Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Brighton and Hove Albion 2.
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers0BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion2
Brighton moved a step closer to Premier League promotion thanks to a double from Championship Player of the Year Anthony Knockaert against Wolves.
He gave the visitors a first-half lead with a fine low shot, though replays showed he was fortunate not to be flagged offside.
Wolves were competitive throughout but lacked a cutting edge.
Knockaert made the points safe with his 15th of the season on the break after Ivan Cavaleiro gave away possession.
The Seagulls will be promoted on Monday if they beat Wigan and Huddersfield fail to beat Derby - and will go up regardless of other results if they take four points from their remaining four matches.
As has so often been the case this season, Knockaert was the difference in what was an otherwise fairly balanced game.
That said, there was an element of luck to both his goals as he was offside in the build-up to his first goal and his second came after Cavaleiro cheaply conceded the ball. However, on both occasions the Frenchman's finishing was exemplary.
Paul Lambert's men have now lost successive matches but, with 51 points, almost certainly have enough to avoid being dragged back into trouble.
Wolves manager Paul Lambert told BBC WM:
"I thought we started really well, we looked lively, we looked threatening and it was a really poor first goal to concede.
"It's probably been the story of our season that you've got to score goals when you get chances at this level - they've taken theirs and we haven't.
"They've got good experience all round, and that's something we have to get to, you have to get to that level not just for one game or two games, you've got to do that for 46 games."
Brighton manager Chris Hughton told BBC Sussex:
"I thought it was a really good, professional performance away from home that we had to really work hard for.
"Wolves are a good side, a lot of energy, and I think to have a clean sheet against them is a really good defensive display from the team.
"We've made a habit of staying in games when we're under a little bit of pressure, and we always know that we've got some quality in the side that can produce something."
Line-ups
Wolves
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21Lonergan
- 16Coady
- 6Batth
- 30Hause
- 2Doherty
- 27SaissBooked at 87mins
- 4Edwards
- 63Weimann
- 50Cavaleiro
- 64MarshallSubstituted forDickoat 76'minutes
- 22BödvarssonSubstituted forWilsonat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Saville
- 9Dicko
- 14Evans
- 31Burgoyne
- 34Wilson
- 55Gibbs-White
- 60Williamson
Brighton
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Stockdale
- 2Bruno
- 4Hünemeier
- 5Dunk
- 12Pocognoli
- 11Knockaert
- 6Stephens
- 14Sidwell
- 20MarchSubstituted forMurphyat 70'minutes
- 17Murray
- 10HemedSubstituted forNorwoodat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Mäenpää
- 8Skalak
- 15Murphy
- 21Norwood
- 25Forren
- 27Tomori
- 28Akpom
- Referee:
- Geoff Eltringham
- Attendance:
- 23,221
Match Stats
Home TeamWolvesAway TeamBrighton
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Brighton and Hove Albion 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Conor Coady.
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Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jamie Murphy (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Andreas Weimann (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
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Attempt blocked. David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Romain Saiss with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Bruno.
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Attempt blocked. David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Conor Coady with a cross.
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Ivan Cavaleiro (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Steve Sidwell (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Booking
Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card.
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Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Romain Saiss with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Steve Sidwell.
Post update
Hand ball by Anthony Knockaert (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Oliver Norwood replaces Tomer Hemed.
Goal!
Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Brighton and Hove Albion 2. Anthony Knockaert (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Glenn Murray with a headed pass following a fast break.
Post update
Foul by Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
