A L B I O N R E P O R T - 10
( featuring the West Ham United (27/12), Arsenal 29/12) and
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2/1) games )
27 DECEMBER 2020 - WEST HAM UNITED 2 ( Ben Johnson 1 - 60 minutes,
Tomas Soucek 1 - 82 minutes ) BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 ( Neal
Maupay 1 - 44 minutes, Lewis Dunk 1 - 70 minutes ) - PREMIER LEAGUE
- at the LONDON STADIUM - Behind Closed Doors.
The hectic festive football programme continued as seventeenth-placed Albion (12 points from
14 games) travelled to East London to take on tenth-placed West Ham United (21 points from
14 games) in a Premier League encounter at the London Stadium, "live" in front of the Sky
Sports cameras, behind closed doors.
Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from the Sheffield United game (1-1) of the
20 December, with Dan Burn and Danny Welbeck coming in for Joel Veltman and Aaron
Connolly.
Last time out West Ham lost 0-3 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the 21 December and for
this game Manager David Moyes made one change, with Ben Johnson replacing Pablo
Fornals in midfield.
In the corresponding game last season at the London Stadium on the 1 February 2020 the
teams produced a 3-3- thriller, with Albion's goals coming from Angelo Ogbonna (47 own goal),
Pascal Gross (75) and Glenn Murray (79) whilst Hammers goalscorers were Robert Snodgrass
2 (45, 57) and Issa Diop (30). The Albion line-up was (4-4-2):- Mathew Ryan; Martin Montoya
(Ezequiel Schelotto 72), Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Bernardo; Davy Propper, Dale
Stephens, Pascal Gross, Aaron Mooy (Solly March 72); Leandro Trossard, Glenn Murray. Subs
not used: David Button (G/K), Steven Alzate, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Neal Maupay, Aaron
Connolly. The Hammers line-up for the game was (4-5-1):- Lukasz Fabianski; Ryan Fredericks,
Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell; Declan Rice. Robert Snodgrass (Manuel
Lanzini 85), Tomas Soucek (Pablo Fornals 85), Mark Noble (Capt), Michail Antonio (Arthur
Masuaka 74); Sebastien Haller. Subs not used: Darren Randolph (G/K), Pablo Zabaleta,
Fabian Balbuena, Albian Ajeti.
Early on Danny Welbeck fired wide of the target and then Neal Maupay saw his right-foot shot
blocked. Jarrod Bowen tried a shot from the edge of the area which missed the target by a
mile. Defender Adam Webster saw his header saved by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz
Fabianski and minutes later Webster's shot was blocked. Solly March then tried his luck but
his left-foot shot just missed the target and the same player saw his right-foot shot saved low
to his left by keeper Fabianski. Evenually on 44 minutes Albion's enterprising play was
rewarded when the ball fell to Maupay in the area and the Albion striker volleyed a right-foot
shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. It was the Frenchman's fifth goal of the season.
1-0. The Seagulls thoroughly deserved to be ahead in the contest. Half-time 1-0.
West Ham made two substitutions at the start of the second-half, with Manuel Lanzini replacing
Mark Noble and Andriy Yarmolenko replacing Jarrod Bowen. Albion made one substitution at
the same time, with Steven Alzate replacing Adam Lallana. First attempt at goal of the second-
half saw Sebastien Haller's header from a Declan Rice cross saved by Albion keeper Robert
Sanchez low-down to his left. The Hammers equalised on the hour when Lanzini set-up Ben
Johnson whose crisp shot ended-up in the Albion net. 1-1. Seagulls regained their lead on 70
minutes when Lewis Dunk shot home from close-range. VAR checked the goal for a possible
hand-ball by Dunk but after review the goal was allowed to stand. It was the Albion Captain's
first goal of the season. 2-1. The Seagulls were unable to maintain their lead as from a corner
on 82 minutes midfielder Tomas Soucek was allowed to rise unchallenged to head home past
the helpless Sanchez. 2-2. Thereafter Albion tried for a winner but efforts by Leandro Trossard
and March flew wide whilst at the other end Hammers Soucek saw his goal-bound header kept
out by keeper Sanchez. Albion's unbeaten Premier League run against West Ham continues.
Final-score 2-2.
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
West Ham had 11 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 6.
VERDICT - Prior to kick-off Albion would have settled for a point but leading twice, it was a
disappointing result in the end. The Seagulls really have to get their act together to avoid
dropping into the bottom three.
Albion line-up (3-4-2-1):- Robert Sanchez; Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Dan Burn;
Ben White, Yves Bissouma, Adam Lallana (Steven Alzate 46), Solly March; Leandro Trossard,
Neal Maupay (Alireza Jahanbakhsh 90); Danny Welbeck (Pascal Gross 83). Subs not used:
Jason Steele (G/K), Joel Veltman, Bernardo, Davy Propper, Alexis Mac Allister, Andi Zeqiri.
West Ham United (3-4-2-1):- Lukasz Fabianski; Fabian Balbuena, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron
Cresswell; Vladimir Coufal, Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Ben Johnson; Mark Noble (Capt)
(Manuel Lanzini 46), Jarrod Bowen (Andriy Yarmolenko 46); Sebastien Haller. Subs not used:
Darren Randolph (G/K), Ryan Fredericks, Craig Dawson, Issa Diop, Robert Snodgrass Pablo
Fornals, Said Benrahma.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Fourth Official: Lee Mason. VAR: Andrew Madley.
Possession: Albion - 57%. West Ham - 43%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Manuel Lanzini (West Ham).
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.
29 DECEMBER 2020 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 ARSENAL 1
( Alexandre Lacazette 1 - 66 minutes ) - PREMIER LEAGUE - at the
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER - Behind Closed
Doors.
Looking for their first home win of the season, the Albion welcomed Arsenal to the Amex
for a Premier League encounter, "live" in front of the Amazon Prime Video cameras,
behind closed doors.
Last time out Seagulls had drawn 2-2 at West Ham United on the 27 December and for
the visit of the Arsenal Albion Head Coach Graham Potter surprisingly made six changes
to his starting line-up from the West Ham game, with Joel Veltman, Bernardo, Davy
Propper, Pascal Gross, Alexis Mac Allister and Alireza Jahanbakhsh replacing Ben White,
Adam Lallana, Solly March, Leandro Trossard, Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck.
In their previous Premier League outing Arsenal had beaten Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates
Stadium on the 26 December and for this game Manager Mikel Arteta made one change
from the Chelsea game, with Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacing Alexandre
Lacazette.
In the corresponding game at the Amex last season on the 20 June 2020, the Albion beat
the Arsenal 2-1, with their goals coming from Lewis Dunk (75) and Neal Maupay (90+5).
The Arsenal goal was scored by Nicolas Pepe (68) and it was the Seagulls last Premier
League home win at the Amex. The Seagulls line-up on the 20 June 2020 was (4-2-3-1):-
Mathew Ryan; Ezequiel Schelotto (Martin Montoya 71), Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt),
Dan Burn; Davy Propper, Yves Bissouma (Alexis Mac Allister 90+4); Aaron Mooy (Solly
March 46), Pascal Gross (Aaron Connolly 71), Leandro Trossard (Dale Stephens 87);
Neal Maupay. Subs not used: David Button (G/K), Tariq Lamptey, Shane Duffy, Glenn
Murray. Arsenal's line-up for the game was (4-3-3):- Bernd Leno (Emiliano Martinez 40);
Hector Bellerin,.Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, Sead Kolasinac; Dani Ceballos (Joe
Willock 87), Matteo Guendouzi, Bukayo Saka (Kieran Tierney 87); Nicolas Pepe (Reiss
Nelson 87), Alexandre Lacazette (Eddie Nketiah 78), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Capt).
Subs not used: Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mesut Ozil, Gabriel Martinelli, Zac Medley.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (shot) and then Dan Burn (header) failed to convert early opportunities
which came their way for the Albion. From a foul conceded by Pascal Gross, Arsenal's
Granit Xhaka saw his resultant free-kick clear the crossbar without troubling Albion goal-
keeper Robert Sanchez. Prior to the break the Albion managed to squander two further
chances as Alexis Mac Allister volleyed over the bar when well placed and then a crisp low
shot by Jahanbakhsh saw Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno make a fine save low to his right.
A poor first-half, which the Seagulls shaded. Half-time 0-0.
It was the Arsenal who stepped up a gear at the start of the second-half and a fine move
by the Gunners ended with keeper Sanchez making a superb save to deny Arsenal's
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from point-blank range. The Arsenal continued to attack
and a curled shot from Gabriel Martinelli just cleared the crossbar and minutes later a
right-foot shot by Aubameyang drifted wide of the post. An isolated raid by the Albion
ended with keeper Leno saving Davy Propper's shot at the near post. Within 21 seconds
of coming on as a 66th minute substitute for the Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette put the
Gunners ahead, as he got on the end of a cross from Bakayo Saka just inside the area
where he took one touch before firing a low shot past keeper Sanchez. 0-1. Thereafter
Albion brought on Solly March, Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay as substitutes for
Propper, Jahanbakhsh and Mac Allister but to no avail as Arsenal comfortably held on
for the three points. Final-score 0-1.
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded
- 11. Arsenal had 11 attempts at goal,with 3 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 4.
VERDICT - A strange team selection by Graham Potter to start with and the result was
not surprising. The inability of the team to convert the chances they create and the
repeated concession of preventable goals is alarming and the problems need to be
addressed.
Albion line-up (5-3-1-1):- Robert Sanchez; Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk
(Capt), Dan Burn, Bernardo; Davy Propper (Solly March 68), Yves Bissouma, Pascal
Gross; Alexis Mac Allister (Neal Maupay 68); Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Leandro Trossard
75). Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Ben White, Jayson Molumby, Andi Zeqiri,
Aaron Connolly, Danny Welbeck.
Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bernd Leno; Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari,
Kieran Tierney; Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka (Dani Ceballos 81),
Emile Smith Rowe (Ainsley Maitland-Niles 89), Gabriel Martinelli (Alexandre
Lacazette 66); Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Capt). Subs not used: Alex Runarsson
(G/K), Cedric Soares, Shkodran Mustafi, Joe Willock, Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (South Yorkshire). Fourth Official: John Brooks.
VAR: Anthony Taylor.
Possession: Albion - 50%. Arsenal - 50%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.
2 JANUARY 2021 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 ( Aaron Connolly
1 - 13 minutes, Neal Maupay 1, penalty - 46 minutes, Lewis Dunk
1 - 70 minutes ) WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 3 ( Romain Saiss
1 - 19 minutes, Dan Burn 1, own goal - 34 minutes, Ruben Neves
1, penalty - 44 minutes ) - PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN
For their first game in 2021, the Albion entertained Wolverhampton Wanderers at
the Amex in a Premier League fixture, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras,
behind closed doors.
Albion made five changes to their starting line-up from the team which lost 0-1 at
home to Arsenal on the 29 December, with Ben White, Solly March, Leandro
Trossard, Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly replacing Davy Propper, Pascal Gross,
Bernardo, Alexis Mac Allister and Alireza Jahanbakhsh. The Seagulls were
unbeaten in their previous six Premier League meetings with the Wolves.
In their previous Premier League game Wolves had lost 0-1 to Manchester United
at Old Trafford to a 93rd minute Marcus Rashford goal on the 29 December. For
this game Manager Nuno Espirito Santo made two changes to his starting line-up
from the United game, with Nelson Semedo and Fabio Silva coming in for
Maximilian Kilman and Ki-Jana Hoever.
In the corresponding game at the Amex last season on the 19 December 2019
the Albion and Wolves drew 2-2, with Albion's goals coming from Neal Maupay (34)
and Davy Propper (36) whilst both the Wolves goals were scored by Diogo Jota
(28 & 44). The Seagulls line-up was (4-4-2):- Mathew Ryan; Steven Alzate,
Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Dan Burn; Davy Propper, Dale Stephens,
Aaron Mooy, Pascal Gross (Alireza Jahanbakhsh 68); Neal Maupay, Leandro
Trossard (Glenn Murray 68). Subs not used: David Button (G/K), Martin Montoya,
Shane Duffy, Bernardo, Yves Bissouma. The Wolves line-up for the game was
(3-4-3):- Rui Patricio; Leander Dendoncker, Conor Coady (Capt), Romain Saiss;
Matt Doherty, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Castro Otto; Adama Traore (Ruben
Vinagre 90+3), Raul Jimenez (Patrick Cutrone 85), Diogo Jota (Pedro Neto 77).
Subs not used: John Ruddy (G/K), Ryan Bennett, Jesus Vallejo, Maximilian
Kilman.
Looking for their first home win of the 2020-2021 season, the Seagulls made the ideal
start on 13 minutes as Aaron Connolly got on the end of a Leandro Trossard cross to
lob the ball over Wolves keeper Rui Patricio and into the net. 1-0. Within six minutes the
visitors had drawn level as the Albion defence failed to clear a corner and Romain
Saiss headed into the far corner after the ball had been re-cycled to him. 1-1. Albion
bounced back and Connolly's overhead kick was held by the diving Patricio and then
Ruben Neves saw his shot drift narrowly wide. Wolves took the lead on 34 minutes when
Pedro Neto's fierce shot was palmed away by Albion keeper Robert Sanchez but unfortunately
the ball struck defender Dan Burn and bounced into the vacant Albion net. 1-2. The last
action of the first-half saw the luckless Burn bring down Adama Traore in the area and Neves
converted the penalty with ease. 1-3. A half which had started with hope for the Albion had
ended in despair. Half-time 1-3.
Albion made two substitutions at the start of the second-half, with Davy Propper replacing
Yves Bissouma and Andi Zeqiri replacing Connolly. The Seagulls made the best possible
start to the second-half as within eleven seconds Neal Maupay had been brought down in
the area by Joao Moutinho and Maupay got up to slam home the resultant penalty-kick and
Albion were back in the contest. 2-3. The Seagulls were now in the ascendancy as Burn
and then Trossard missed good opportunities to equalise and on 67 minutes Adam Webster
was unlucky to see his header strike the Wolves crossbar. On 70 minutes the Albion were
level as from Trossard's corner Lewis Dunk rose above his markers to head the ball down
and into the Wolves net. 3-3. More drama was to follow as Trossard netted after running
half the length of the field but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Rayan Ait-Nouri. In the
closing seconds Wolves missed a great chance to notch the winner when substitute Owen
Otasowie headed over the bar from point-blank range. A breathtaking game ended with
the spoils shared. Final-score 3-3.
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 13.
Wolves had 11 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded
- 8.
VERDICT - All looked lost at half-time but to their credit the Seagulls staged a spirited
fight back to get a draw. The Albion's problems remain and Graham Potter and his
coaching team need to get them sorted.
Albion line-up (3-4-3):- Robert Sanchez; Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Dan Burn
(Adam Lallana 69); Joel Veltman, Ben White, Yves Bissouma (Davy Propper 46), Solly
March; Leandro Trossard, Neal Maupay, Aaron Connolly (Andi Zeqiri 46). Subs not used:
Jason Steele (G/K), Bernardo, Pascal Gross, Jayson Molumby, Alexis Mac Allister,
Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Wolves line-up (4-3-3):- Rui Patricio; Nelson Semedo, Conor Coady (Capt), Romain
Saiss, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves, Vitinha (Maxmilian Kilman 64);
Adama Traore, Fabio Silva (Owen Otasowie 87), Pedro Neto. Subs not used: John
Ruddy (G/K), Ki-Jana Hoever, Taylor Perry, Luke Cundle, Lewis Richards, Theo Corbeanu,
Andreas Sondergaard (G/K).
Referee: Andrew Madley (Yorkshire).
Possession: Albion - 54%. Wolves - 46%.
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.
JAYSON MOLUMBY - It was announced on the 5 January 2021 that the young
midfielder Jayson Molumby (21) had joined Championship side Preston North End
on loan to the end of the season.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
10 JANUARY 2021 - NEWPORT COUNTY - away - Emirates FA Cup Third
Round - kick-off 19.45. "Live" on BT Sport.
13 JANUARY 2021 - MANCHESTER CITY - away - Premier League
- kick-off 18.00.
16 JANUARY 2021 - LEEDS UNITED - away - Premier League
- kick-off 15.00.
Jack Kaye
7 January 2021.
