Graham Potter bemoaned the Premier League’s failure to postpone Brighton’s match with Wolves due to a rise of Covid cases at the club after Romain Saiss’ winner stretched the Seagulls’ winless run to 11 games.

Saiss was on hand on 44 minutes to turn home a sumptuous pass from Ruben Neves to score Wolves’ first goal since November 20. That proved enough against a timid Brighton attack that truly failed to test Jose Sa, especially in the second half when chasing the game.

Brighton even had 11 minutes of stoppage time to try and find an equaliser, with referee Tony Harrington’s VAR technical equipment malfunction owing to a lengthy break in play, but their attacks fell flat.

Albion, who have not tasted glory since September 19, were without a host of key personnel having battled an injury and Covid-19 crisis, with Neal Maupay and Pascal Gross missing from the matchday squad.

Speaking after the game, Seagulls boss Potter revealed the club’s efforts to have the match postponed were rejected by the Premier League, saying: “We asked the question, yes, because of our situation. You haven’t really got time to be disappointed [with the decision], it was about preparing for the team, preparing for the game. That is my job.”