18 Apr 2017

Brighton and Hove Albion back in top flight

7:46 am on 18 April 2017

After a 34 year absence from the top flight of English football, Brighton and Hove Albion are back.

A 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic has secured them promotion to the premier league with their rise confirmed after Huddersfield Town were held to a 1-1 draw by Derby County.

That result left Brighton on 92 points, seven ahead of Newcastle United and 13 clear of third-placed Reading with four games remaining.

Brighton fans had invaded the pitch at the end of their game to celebrate their return to the top flight after a 34-year absence.

A run of five straight wins came at just the right time for Brighton, who agonisingly missed out on automatic promotion last season after finishing third and failing to get through the playoffs.

Brighton and Hove Albion players celebrate their promotion to the English Premier League.

Brighton and Hove Albion players celebrate their promotion to the English Premier League. Photo: Twitter

"I'm incredibly proud of the way that they bounced back. To put together the run they have, at this stage of the season, is incredibly difficult, and they deserve every bit of credit," Brighton manager Chris Hughton said.

"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. They've bounced back and shown good determination and desire to win as many game as possible. It is a wonderful achievement," he added.

Second-placed Newcastle slumped to a 3-1 loss to Ipswich Town in what has been a disappointing Easter for Rafa Benitez's team who were held to a 1-1 home draw by Leeds United last week.

Reading kept up the pressure on Newcastle and are now six points behind them after coming from a goal down to beat bottom side Rotherham United 2-1.

Fulham defeated Aston Villa 3-1, taking advantage of Leeds's 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers to climb above them into sixth position and the final playoff spot.

Sheffield Wednesday maintained their playoff push and are in fifth place on 75 points, two ahead of Fulham, after a 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers.