Brighton 2-1 Wigan rewind: Glenn Murray and Solly March take Seagulls to the top flight

Brighton and Hove Albion sealed a long-awaited return to the top flight for the first time in 34 years with a 2-1 triumph against relegation candidates Wigan at the Amex Stadium.
Glenn Murray celebrates his opening goal with Anthony KnockeartGlenn Murray celebrates his opening goal with Anthony Knockeart
Glenn Murray celebrates his opening goal with Anthony Knockeart

Leading scorer Glenn Murray finished well to put the Seagulls in front before the interval with his 22nd league goal of the campaign and Solly March added a second from close-range.

Nick Powell set up a nervy finish with his fifth goal in three games but Brighton were not to be denied and Chris Hughton's men held out for a crucial win.

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Albion went into Monday's game needing four more points to guarantee promotion but Huddersfield's failure to beat Derby in the late game meant that a win was enough.

Albion needed four more points to guarantee promotion but Huddersfield's failure to beat Derby in the late game meant three points against Wigan was enough for the Seagulls.

Brighton brokethrough seven minutes before the interval. A long pass from Lewis Dunk created confusion in the Wigan defence and Tomer Hemed teed-up Murray on the edge of the box.

Murray had been lethal throughout the season and he made no mistake with his first-time finish - rifling the ball past Wigan's Danish keeper Jakob Haugaard.

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Anthony Knockaert forced Haugaard into a superb fingertip save minutes after the restart and then had a hand in the all important second goal.

Solly March fires home the crucial secondSolly March fires home the crucial second
Solly March fires home the crucial second

After beating his man in the box with a series of neat stopovers, Knockaert played the ball back to Solly March who drove the ball through the legs of Haugaard.

Powell pulled one back with a header from Jamie Hanson's cross and although they created pressure, the Latics could create another clear chance and Brighton deservedly gained the three points they required.

Thousands of home supporters ran onto the pitch at the full-time whistle and promotion was sealed a few hours later as Derby drew 1-1 with Huddersfield.

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Brighton boss Chris Hughton said: "It's a wonderful achievement and there's so many people that I'm absolutely delighted for, certainly the chairman [Tony Bloom]. He's a local man and has invested an incredible amount of money in this football club.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom leads the celebrationsAlbion chairman Tony Bloom leads the celebrations
Albion chairman Tony Bloom leads the celebrations

"I knew we had a group of lads that were capable of doing it, but being capable of doing it and actually doing it are two different things. They've been good all season.

"It had something to do with how the season ended last season, but I think it was more the fact that the players enjoyed being up that end of the table, competing, getting into the play-offs.

"I think it was a conscious decision that they wanted that again, and the signs were there early in the season.

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"We recruited well early in the season, in the summer, but it was a real steely determination from the group of players that wanted to do it again."

Chris Hughton steered Albion to promotionChris Hughton steered Albion to promotion
Chris Hughton steered Albion to promotion

Albion: Stockdale, Bruno, Hünemeier, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal (Norwood 73), March (Murphyat 73), Murray, Hemed (Akpom 82)

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