After 34-year, Brighton and Hove Albion Get Promotion Back to Premier League

Brighton and Hove Albion have ended a 34-year wait to return to the top flight of English football after they secured automatic promotion into the Premier League. The Seagulls have not played in the top flight since 1983, but will be locking horns with the elite teams once again next season.

Brighton are the first Championship side to win a place in the top flight as Championship Player of the Season Anthony Knockaert helped inspire a nervy 2-1 win against Wigan. The victory took Brighton within touching distance of the historic return, but fans and players paused their celebrations until after the Huddersfield result.

The long wait is made all the more sweet after three failed attempts to claw their way back into the Premier League. Brighton have reached the play-offs in three of the last four seasons as Seagull supporters have suffered heartbreak after heartbreak in recent years.

Third-placed Huddersfield needed to better Brighton’s result on Monday evening, but David Wagner’s men drew 1-1 with Derby at Pride Park in the later kick-off.

Brighton were cruising against relegation-battlers Wigan at the Amex Stadium until the 85th minute.

Glenn Murray’s strike before half-time put Brighton ahead before Solly March made it 2-0 in the 65th minute after some excellent work from Knockaert.

An excellent strike from Nick Powell made it a one goal game with five minutes of normal time to play.

Wigan were in the ascendancy, but Brighton were not to be denied as they held on for a famous win.

And the party officially started when Derby substitute Jacob Butterfield scored an 88th minute equaliser against Huddersfield.

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