Mac Allister, Trossard and Bissouma on target in Brighton’s win at Wolves

Bruno Lage had urged his Wolves players to seize the moment, comparing their run in to the 100m sprint but his side look set to splutter over the line and miss out on Europe after slipping to a third successive defeat. Wolves were maddening and muddled and this latest perplexing performance hinders their fading hopes of returning to a European competition. A first-half penalty by Alexis Mac Allister, who also rattled the upright from the spot, a smart finish from Leandro Trossard and a late drive by Yves Bissouma helped a business-like Brighton coast to a victory that keeps Graham Potter’s side on course for their highest ever top-flight finish. Willy Boly’s header on 85 minutes – Wolves’ first effort on target – was sarcastically jeered but seconds later, when Bissouma wrapped up victory from the edge of the box, the home seats emptied. Those left groaned upon confirmation of three minutes of stoppage time.

With West Ham and Manchester United not in action until Sunday and Monday respectively, this was a chance for Wolves to finally apply some heat, having allowed their rivals off the hook by losing six of their previous nine matches. What a mess they made of it. Wolves have a game in hand on United but with trips to Chelsea and Liverpool to come either side of home matches against Manchester City and Norwich, the home straight threatens to be relatively fruitless. Wolves were booed off at half-time and Lage appeared to share supporters’ frustrations, arching his back on the corner of his technical area as Leander Dendoncker’s cross into the box eluded everybody in gold shirts.

Wolves welcomed Rúben Neves back into midfield following a knee injury, three days after Lage ruled the Portuguese out of the game. The home