A L B I O N R E P O R T - 13
(featuring the HUDDERSFIELD TOWN and CRYSTAL PALACE games)
1 DECEMBER 2018 - HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 ( Mathias Jorgensen 1 -
1 minute) BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 ( Shane Duffy 1 - 45 + 4
minutes, Florin Andone 1 - 69 minutes ) - PREMIER LEAGUE - at the
JOHN SMITH'S STADIUM, HUDDERSFIELD.
Following the 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the Amex on the 24 November 2018, the
Albion were off to South Yorkshire to take on in-form Huddersfield Town in a Premier
League fixture at the John Smith's Stadium.
Albion Manager Chris Hughton made three changes to his starting line-up from the
Leicester game, with Solly March, Yves Bissouma and Florin Andone coming in for
Anthony Knockaert, Beram Kayal and Glenn Murray, the latter three dropping down
to the substitutes bench. It was Andone's first start for the Albion in the Premier
League.
Last time out Huddersfield had enjoyed an excellent 2-0 win at Wolves on the 25
November and for this game Manager David Wagner made one change to his
starting line-up from the Wolves game, bringing back suspension-free Mathias
Jorgensen in place of Tommy Smith in defence.
In the corresponding fixture last season at the John Smith's Stadium on the 9
December 2017, the Terriers won 2-0, with Steve Mounie netting both goals.
The Seagulls line-up for this game was (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Bruno Saltor
(Capt), Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk, Markus Suttner; Ezequiel Scheletto (Solly
March 46), Dale Stephens, Davy Propper, Izzy Brown (Tomer Hemed 73);
Pascal Gross (Jose Izquierdo 63); Glenn Murray. Subs not used: Tim Krul (G/K),
Uwe Huenemeier, Beram Kayal, Sam Baldock.
In wet conditions, it was the Albion who made the worst possible start. On 55
seconds Captain Bruno Saltor attempting a clearance downfield hooked the ball
towards his own goal where defender Mathias Jorgensen headed the ball past
Albion goalkeeper Mathew Ryan on the six-yard box. A gift if there ever was
one and the Albion had it all to do. 0-1. Soon thereafter keeper Ryan was in
action, pushing aside a finely struck free-kick by Aaron Mooy. On 32 minutes
Huddersfield's Steve Mounie was shown a straight red card by Referee Michael
Oliver for an over the top tackle on Yves Bissouma who survived the bad
challenge. In the fourth minute of time added on, the perseverance of Saltor
won a corner for the Albion. Saltor took the corner quickly, finding Solly March
who sent a superb cross to the far post where defender Shane Duffy rose
majestically to powerfully head the ball home for an Albion equaliser. It was
Duffy's third goal of the campaign. 1-1. The referee's whistle then sounded
for the end of the first-half. Half-time 1-1.
The highlight of the second-half was Albion's second and match-winning goal.
On 69 minutes playmaker March sent in a superb cross from the right and
there was the alert Florin Andone, who escaped his marker to score with an
excellent diving header. It was Andone's first Premier League goal for the
Albion. 2-1. The Seagulls saw the game out with ease to gain a deserved
away win and three vital points. Final-score 2-1.
The Albion had 14 attempts at goal,with 6 on target and won 6 corners,
free-kicks conceded - 12. Huddersfield had 7 attempts at goal, with 2 on
target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
VERDICT - After their nightmare start, the Seagulls recovered well to
capture the three points. Solly March was stand-out for the Albion with
his two brilliant crosses which resulted in the two Albion goals. It was
also the first time the Seagulls had come from behind to win a Premier
League game. Another positive was the excellent winning goal notched
by striker Florin Andone on his first Albion start.
Albion line-up (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Bruno Saltor (Capt) (Leon
Balogun 78), Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk, Bernardo; Solly March, Davy
Propper, Yves Bissouma (Beram Kayal 90+1), Jose Izquierdo; Pascal
Gross; Florin Andone (Glenn Murray 79). Subs not used: Jason
Steele (G/K), Gaetan Bong, Anthony Knockaert, Jurgen Locadia.
Huddersfield Town line-up (3-4-2-1):- Jonas Lossl; Mathias Jorgensen,
Christopher Schindler, Terence Kongolo; Florent Hadergjonaj, Philip
Billing, Jonathan Hogg (Capt) (Danny Williams 77), Erik Durm; Aaron
Mooy (Tommy Smith 63), Alex Pritchard (Laurent Depoitre 49); Steve
Mounie. Subs not used: Ben Hamer (G/K), Elias Kachunga, Ramadan
Ahmed Sobhi, Isaac Mbenzq.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Bruno Saltor, Leon Balogun. Red Card:
Huddersfield Town: 1 - Steve Mounie.
Possession: Albion - 68%. Huddersfield Town - 32%.
Attendance: 22973.
4 DECEMBER 2018 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 ( Glenn
Murray 1, penalty - 24 minutes, Leon Balogun 1 - 31
minutes, Florin Andone 1 - 45+4 minutes) CRYSTAL PALACE 1
(Luka Milivojevic 1, penalty - 80 minutes) - PREMIER LEAGUE
- at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.
After their 2-1 win at Huddersfield Town on the 1 December 2018, the
Albion were back at the Amex for the M23 derby game against arch-
rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Prior to the game the Albion
occupied 11th position in the league with 18 points from 14 games, whilst
Palace occupied 14th position with 12 points from 14 games.
Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from the Huddersfield
game, with Martin Montoya replacing injured Captain Bruno Saltor at
right-back and Glenn Murray replacing Florin Andone up front. Andone
dropped down to the substitutes bench.
Their last two Premier League games had seen encouraging results for
the Palace, drawing 0-0 Manchester United on the 24 November and
beating Burnley 2-0 at home on the 1 December. Unsurprisingly, Palace
Manager Roy Hodgson named an unchanged line-up for this game.
The Eagles visited the Amex twice last season (2017/2018), on the 28
November 2017 in the Premier League when the teams drew 0-0 and
on the 8 January 2018 in the Third Round of the FA Cup when the
Seagulls triumphed 2-1, "live" in front of the BT Sport cameras. The
Albion line-up for the Premier League game on the 28 November 2017
was (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Bruno Saltor (Capt), Shane Duffy,
Lewis Dunk, Markus Suttner; Anthony Knockaert, Dale Stephens, Davy
Propper, Jose Izquierdo (Solly March 71); Pascal Gross (Izzy Brown 82);
Glenn Murray (Tomer Hemed 85). Subs not used: Tim Krul (G/K),
Connor Goldson, Ezequiel Schelotto, Beram Kayal.
Both teams were sounding themselves out early on and chances were
spurned by both teams, Glenn Murray for the Seagulls and Andros
Townsend for the Eagles were the main culprits. The game sprung to
life in the 24th minute when Albion's Jose Izquierdo was bundled to the
ground by James McArthur in the Palace penalty area and Referee Kevin
Friend, after a few seconds deliberation pointed to the penalty spot -
much to the delight of the Albion followers. Up stepped Murray to
coolly slam home the penalty-kick. 1-0. Four minutes later Murray was
bundled over in the Palace penalty area, Referee Friend waved aside
Albion's appeals for a penalty, instead awarding a corner-kick to the
Albion. Before the corner could be taken, Murray required lengthy
treatment for a shoulder injury. Whilst Murray was being treated, an
incident occurred whereby Albion central defender Shane Duffy appeared
to head-butt Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt and Duffy was shown
a red card by Referee Friend, off he went and the Seagulls were down to
ten men. Before play re-started Albion made a tactical substitution,
bringing on defender Leon Balogun for midfielder Pascal Gross. The corner
taken by Solly March found Balogun in the Palace penalty area and the
Nigerian international fired home a superb right-foot volley from some 12
yards out. Balogun had only been on the field of play for 25 seconds, it
was his first touch of the game and first Premier League goal for the
Albion. Ironically, the Albion only had nine players on the pitch at this time.
The Albion supporters went wild with delight. 2-0. Saturday's matchwinner
Florin Andone substituted for the injured Murray on 35 minutes. Four
minutes added time was indicated by the Fourth Official and in the final
minute thereof the Albion scored a brilliant breakaway goal as a clearance
from the Albion was chased by Andone and in a sixty yard run the striker
left Palace defenders James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho in his wake
before stroking the ball past Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey for a superb
individual goal. This is the first time two substitutes have scored in the
first-half in a Premier League game. The ectstatic Albion fans couldnt
believe their eyes as their team now led Palace by three goals without
reply. Half-time 3-0.
Soon after the start of the second-half Anthony Knockaert substituted for
the injured Jose Izquierdo on 49 minutes. Thereafter Palace were camped
in the Albion half, as with the man advantage they launched numerous
attacks on the Albion goal but the defence, superbly organised by Captain
Lewis Dunk stood firm, the only blemish being an 80th minute penalty
conceded by Balogun when he brought down Wilfried Zaha in the penalty
area. Captain Luka Milivojevic calmly converted the penalty-kick. 3-1.
Balogun made a fine goal-line clearance to deny Milivojevic as the Seagulls
saw out the remaining minutes to hold out for an excellent win against the
Palace. Final-score 3-1.
The Albion had 9 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 4 corners,
free-kicks conceded - 14. Palace had 18 attempts at goal, with 5 on target
and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
VERDICT - An excellent win for the Seagulls, especially having gone down
to 10 men from the 28th minute. This was the fourth consecutive Premier
League game where a match involving the Albion saw one of the teams go down
to ten men - Dale Stephens - Albion v. Cardiff, James Maddison - Leicester
v. Albion, Steve Mounie - Huddersfield v. Albion and Shane Duffy - Albion v.
Palace. As a result of their win the Seagulls rose up to 10th in the Premier
League table with 21 points from 15 games.
Albion line-up (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Martin Montoya, Shane Duffy,
Lewis Dunk (Capt), Bernardo; Solly March, Davy Propper, Yves Bissouma,
Jose Izquierdo (Anthony Knockaert 49); Pascal Gross (Leon Balogun 31);
Glenn Murray (Florin Andone 35). Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K),
Gaetan Bong, Beram Kayal, Jurgen Locadia.
Crystal Palace line-up (4-4-2):- Wayne Hennessey; Aaron Wan-Bissaka,
James Tomkins, Mamadou Sakho, Patrick van Aanhold; James McArthur
(Jeffrey Schlupp 73), Luka Milivojevic (Capt), Cheikhou Kouyate (Alexander
Sorloth 58), Max Meyer; Andros Townsend, Wilfried Zaha. Subs not used:
Vicente Guaita (G/K), Joel Ward, Martin Kelly, Jordan Ayew, Jason Puncheon.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire). Assistant Referees: Matthew
Wilkes & Simon Beck. Fourth Official: Simon Hooper.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Bernardo, Yves Bissouma. Red Card: Albion:
1 - Shane Duffy. Yellow Cards: Crystal Palace: 3 - James Tomkins,
Luka Milivojevic, Wilfried Zaha.
Possession: Albion - 31%. Crystal Palace - 69%.
Match Sponsor (Buckingham Group) Albion Man of the Match: Leon
Balogun.
Attendance: 29663.
NEXT GAME:
8 DECEMBER 2018 - BURNLEY - AWAY - PREMIER LEAGUE.
Burnley, by their standards, have made a poor start to their Premier
League campaign. The Clarets Europa League excursion ended early and
since then their performances have been bad by their standards. Last time
out the Clarets lost 1-3 at home to Liverpool on the 5 December but signs
indicated a potential return to form. Burnley will be desperate to beat the
Seagulls on this one and extract themselves from the relegation zone. The
Albion will do well to come away from Lancashire with a point.
