A L B I O N R E P O R T ( 32 )
(including the Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur matches)
14 APRIL 2018 - CRYSTAL PALACE 3 (Wilfried Zaha 2 - 5 minutes, 24
minutes, James Tomkins 1 - 14 minutes) BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2
(Glenn Murray 1 - 18 minutes, Jose Izquierdo 1 - 34 minutes) - PREMIER
LEAGUE - at SELHURST PARK, SOUTH LONDON.
Not quite safe thirteenth-placed Albion (35 points from 32 games) made the short trip up
the M23 to take on arch-rivals seventeenth-placed Crystal Palace (31 points from 33 games)
in a Premier League encounter at Selhurst Park. The teams had met twice at the Amex this
season, drawing 0-0 in the league on the 28 November 2017 and the Seagulls winning 2-1
in the FA Cup on the 8 January 2018.
Albion Manager Chris Hughton made two changes to his starting line-up from the team
which had drawn 1-1 at home to Huddersfield Town on the 7 April 2018, with Jurgen
Locadia and Beram Kayal coming in for Solly March and Davy Propper (suspended).
Last time out Crystal Palace had drawn 2-2 at AFC Bournemouth on the 7 April. Manager
Roy Hodgson made one change to his starting line-up from the AFC Bournemouth game,
with Joel Ward replacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right full-back.
With both teams in need of survival points, the Albion managed to give their worst
defensive display of the season when conceding three goals in the opening 24 minutes at
Selhurst Park. The Albion travelling fans looked on in disbelief as the sheer ineptitude of the
Seagulls defensive unit presented their hosts with three gift-wrapped early goals. On 5
minutes a short corner routine allowed the unmarked Luka Milivojevic to waltz into the
penalty area and deliver a cross to the far post where the lurking Wilfried Zaha had the
easy task of tapping the ball into an empty net. The Albion group, including goalkeeper
Mathew Ryan had gone missing. 0-1. Another disaster struck on 14 minutes when more
defensive howlers allowed the Eagles to increase their lead as opportunities to clear their
lines were spurned by keeper Ryan and defenders Ezequiel Schelotto and Shane Duffy
and Palace defender James Tomkins tapped the ball home from close-range. 0-2.
Palace, feeling sorry for the Seagulls, gifted them a goal on 18 minutes when a Pascal
Gross corner was headed on by Lewis Dunk to Glenn Murray, who volleyed home from
close-in. 1-2. Back to normal on 24 minutes, as the skilful Milivojevic had all the time in
the world to send in a cross to Zaha, who headed home unheeded. Schelotto was to
blame for this one, as he failed to mark the winger. 1-3. To their credit the Albion fought
back and on 34 minutes Jose Izquierdo latched on to Jurgen Locadia's through pass to
place a fine shot past Wayne Hennessey in the Palace goal. 2-3. An exciting half for any
impartial fans. Half-time 2-3.
The second-half saw an improved showing by the Albion, with keeper Hennessey making
a couple of fine saves to keep his side in front but in the dying seconds Murray missed a
golden opportunity to equalise for the Seagulls when he inexplicably fired wide from a
flick-on from substitute Leonardo Ulloa. An equaliser and a point would have been
invaluable to the Albion. Final-score 2-3.
The Seagulls had 12 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 16. The Eagles had 15 attempts at goal, with 8 on target and won 5 corners,
free-kicks conceded - 12.
Albion line-up (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Ezequiel Schelotto, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk
(Capt), Gaetan Bong (Solly March 86); Jurgen Locadia (Anthony Knockaert 46), Dale
Stephens, Beram Kayal, Jose Izquierdo; Pascal Gross (Leonardo Ulloa 71); Glenn
Murray. Subs not used: Tim Krul (G/K), Bruno Saltor, Connor Goldson, Sam Baldock.
Crystal Palace line-up (4-4-2):- Wayne Hennessey; Joel Ward, James Tomkins,
Mamadou Sakho, Patrick van Aanholt; James McArthur, Yohan Cabaye (Christian
Benteke 71), Luka Milivojevic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jairo Riedewald 80); Wilfried Zaha,
Andros Townsend. Subs not used: Julian Speroni (G/K), Aaron Wan-Bissaki, Martin
Kelly, Chung-yong Lee, Alexander Sorloth.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West MIdlands).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Dale Stephens, Beram Kayal. Crystal Palace: 3 -
Wayne Hennessey, Luka Milivojevic, Wilfried Zaha.
Possession: Albion - 50%. Crystal Palace - 50%.
Attendance: 24656 (including 2000 Albion fans).
17 APRIL 2018 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 (Pascal Gross 1 -
50 minutes, penalty) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 (Harry Kane 1 - 48
minutes) - PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY
STADIUM, FALMER.
Following their defensive horror show against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the
14 April 2018, thirteenth-placed Albion (35 points from 33 games) welcomed
fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur (67 points from 33 games) to the Amex, for a
Premier League fixture, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras. In the reverse
fixture at Wembley Stadium on the 13 December 2017, Tottenham ran out easy
2-0 winners.
Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from the team which had lost
2-3 at Crystal Palace on the 14 April, with Captain Bruno Saltor and Anthony
Knockaert replacing Ezequiel Schelotto and Jurgen Locadia, the latter two dropping
down to the substitutes bench.
In their previous game, Spurs had lost 1-3 at home to Champions-elect Manchester
City on the 14 April 2018 and for this game Manager Mauricio Pochettino made six
changes to his starting line-up from the Manchester City game, with Serge Aurier,
Toby Alderweireld, Moussa Sissoko, Victor Wanyama, Lucas Moura and Heung-Min
Son coming in for Kieran Trippier, Davinson Sanchez, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier,
Erik Lamela and Dele Alli.
The first-half was an evenly contested affair with Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris
making two routine saves to deny Lewis Dunk and Anthony Knockaert and then
Albion keeper Mathew Ryan made two excellent saves, tipping over a Lucas Moura
piledriver and right on the stroke of half-time getting down low to his left to keep
out a goalbound shot from Heung-Min Son. A fine first-half display by the Seagulls
which served to dispel their Palace blues. Half-time 0-0.
Within three minutes of the re-start the Spurs were in the lead as lax play in the
Albion defence allowed Son to lay the ball back to Harry Kane, who smashed the
ball home. 0-1. Within two minutes the Albion were level as Jose Izquierdo was
brought down in the box by Serge Aurier and Pascal Gross coolly slotted home
the penalty. 1-1. Both teams went for the winner but had to settle for a point
apiece. A deserved draw for the Seagulls and a valuable point to assist their
Premier League survival battle. Final-score 1-1.
The Albion had 8 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 6. The Spurs had 16 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 4
corners, free-kicks conceded - 5.
Albion line-up (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Bruno Saltor (Capt), Shane Duffy,
Lewis Dunk, Gaetan Bong; Anthony Knockaert, Dale Stephens, Beram Kayal,
Jose Izquierdo (Solly March 77); Pascal Gross; Glenn Murray (Leonardo Ulloa 74).
Subs not used: Tim Krul (G/K), Ezequiel Schelotto, Connor Goldson, Jurgen
Locadia, Sam Baldock.
Tottenham Hotspur line-up (4-2-3-1):- Hugo Lloris (Capt), Serge Aurier, Toby
Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies; Moussa Sissoko (Mousa Dembele 74),
Victor Wanyama; Lucas Moura (Erik Lamela 74), Christian Eriksen, Heung-Min
Son: Harry Kane (Fernando Llorente 85). Subs not used: Michel Vorm (G/K),
Kieran Trippier, Eric Dier, Juan Foyth.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire). Assistant Referees: Matthew Wilkes &
Mark Scholes. Fourth Official: Lee Probert.
Yellow Card: Albion: 1 - Lewis Dunk.
Match Sponsor (Buckingham Group) Albion Man of the Match: Anthony
Knockaert.
Possession: Albion - 36%. Spurs - 64%.
Attendance: 30440.
NEXT GAME - BURNLEY - AWAY - PREMIER LEAGUE - 28 APRIL 2018.
The Seagulls are on their travels again, this time to seventh-placed Burnley
(52 points from 33 games) for a Premier League encounter at Turf Moor.
Earlier this season at the Amex on the 16 December 2017, the teams played
out a 0-0 draw, with Glenn Murray winning and then missing the resultant
penalty kick. Manager Sean Dyche has assembled a talented squad, which
includes former Albion player Ashley Barnes and former Albion loanees Stephen
Ward (Wolves), Chris Wood (WBA) and Sam Vokes (Wolves). The Seagulls
will do well to come away from Turf Moor with a point.
(including the Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur matches)
14 APRIL 2018 - CRYSTAL PALACE 3 (Wilfried Zaha 2 - 5 minutes, 24
minutes, James Tomkins 1 - 14 minutes) BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2
(Glenn Murray 1 - 18 minutes, Jose Izquierdo 1 - 34 minutes) - PREMIER
LEAGUE - at SELHURST PARK, SOUTH LONDON.
Not quite safe thirteenth-placed Albion (35 points from 32 games) made the short trip up
the M23 to take on arch-rivals seventeenth-placed Crystal Palace (31 points from 33 games)
in a Premier League encounter at Selhurst Park. The teams had met twice at the Amex this
season, drawing 0-0 in the league on the 28 November 2017 and the Seagulls winning 2-1
in the FA Cup on the 8 January 2018.
Albion Manager Chris Hughton made two changes to his starting line-up from the team
which had drawn 1-1 at home to Huddersfield Town on the 7 April 2018, with Jurgen
Locadia and Beram Kayal coming in for Solly March and Davy Propper (suspended).
Last time out Crystal Palace had drawn 2-2 at AFC Bournemouth on the 7 April. Manager
Roy Hodgson made one change to his starting line-up from the AFC Bournemouth game,
with Joel Ward replacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right full-back.
With both teams in need of survival points, the Albion managed to give their worst
defensive display of the season when conceding three goals in the opening 24 minutes at
Selhurst Park. The Albion travelling fans looked on in disbelief as the sheer ineptitude of the
Seagulls defensive unit presented their hosts with three gift-wrapped early goals. On 5
minutes a short corner routine allowed the unmarked Luka Milivojevic to waltz into the
penalty area and deliver a cross to the far post where the lurking Wilfried Zaha had the
easy task of tapping the ball into an empty net. The Albion group, including goalkeeper
Mathew Ryan had gone missing. 0-1. Another disaster struck on 14 minutes when more
defensive howlers allowed the Eagles to increase their lead as opportunities to clear their
lines were spurned by keeper Ryan and defenders Ezequiel Schelotto and Shane Duffy
and Palace defender James Tomkins tapped the ball home from close-range. 0-2.
Palace, feeling sorry for the Seagulls, gifted them a goal on 18 minutes when a Pascal
Gross corner was headed on by Lewis Dunk to Glenn Murray, who volleyed home from
close-in. 1-2. Back to normal on 24 minutes, as the skilful Milivojevic had all the time in
the world to send in a cross to Zaha, who headed home unheeded. Schelotto was to
blame for this one, as he failed to mark the winger. 1-3. To their credit the Albion fought
back and on 34 minutes Jose Izquierdo latched on to Jurgen Locadia's through pass to
place a fine shot past Wayne Hennessey in the Palace goal. 2-3. An exciting half for any
impartial fans. Half-time 2-3.
The second-half saw an improved showing by the Albion, with keeper Hennessey making
a couple of fine saves to keep his side in front but in the dying seconds Murray missed a
golden opportunity to equalise for the Seagulls when he inexplicably fired wide from a
flick-on from substitute Leonardo Ulloa. An equaliser and a point would have been
invaluable to the Albion. Final-score 2-3.
The Seagulls had 12 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 16. The Eagles had 15 attempts at goal, with 8 on target and won 5 corners,
free-kicks conceded - 12.
Albion line-up (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Ezequiel Schelotto, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk
(Capt), Gaetan Bong (Solly March 86); Jurgen Locadia (Anthony Knockaert 46), Dale
Stephens, Beram Kayal, Jose Izquierdo; Pascal Gross (Leonardo Ulloa 71); Glenn
Murray. Subs not used: Tim Krul (G/K), Bruno Saltor, Connor Goldson, Sam Baldock.
Crystal Palace line-up (4-4-2):- Wayne Hennessey; Joel Ward, James Tomkins,
Mamadou Sakho, Patrick van Aanholt; James McArthur, Yohan Cabaye (Christian
Benteke 71), Luka Milivojevic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jairo Riedewald 80); Wilfried Zaha,
Andros Townsend. Subs not used: Julian Speroni (G/K), Aaron Wan-Bissaki, Martin
Kelly, Chung-yong Lee, Alexander Sorloth.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West MIdlands).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Dale Stephens, Beram Kayal. Crystal Palace: 3 -
Wayne Hennessey, Luka Milivojevic, Wilfried Zaha.
Possession: Albion - 50%. Crystal Palace - 50%.
Attendance: 24656 (including 2000 Albion fans).
17 APRIL 2018 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 (Pascal Gross 1 -
50 minutes, penalty) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 (Harry Kane 1 - 48
minutes) - PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY
STADIUM, FALMER.
Following their defensive horror show against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the
14 April 2018, thirteenth-placed Albion (35 points from 33 games) welcomed
fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur (67 points from 33 games) to the Amex, for a
Premier League fixture, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras. In the reverse
fixture at Wembley Stadium on the 13 December 2017, Tottenham ran out easy
2-0 winners.
Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from the team which had lost
2-3 at Crystal Palace on the 14 April, with Captain Bruno Saltor and Anthony
Knockaert replacing Ezequiel Schelotto and Jurgen Locadia, the latter two dropping
down to the substitutes bench.
In their previous game, Spurs had lost 1-3 at home to Champions-elect Manchester
City on the 14 April 2018 and for this game Manager Mauricio Pochettino made six
changes to his starting line-up from the Manchester City game, with Serge Aurier,
Toby Alderweireld, Moussa Sissoko, Victor Wanyama, Lucas Moura and Heung-Min
Son coming in for Kieran Trippier, Davinson Sanchez, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier,
Erik Lamela and Dele Alli.
The first-half was an evenly contested affair with Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris
making two routine saves to deny Lewis Dunk and Anthony Knockaert and then
Albion keeper Mathew Ryan made two excellent saves, tipping over a Lucas Moura
piledriver and right on the stroke of half-time getting down low to his left to keep
out a goalbound shot from Heung-Min Son. A fine first-half display by the Seagulls
which served to dispel their Palace blues. Half-time 0-0.
Within three minutes of the re-start the Spurs were in the lead as lax play in the
Albion defence allowed Son to lay the ball back to Harry Kane, who smashed the
ball home. 0-1. Within two minutes the Albion were level as Jose Izquierdo was
brought down in the box by Serge Aurier and Pascal Gross coolly slotted home
the penalty. 1-1. Both teams went for the winner but had to settle for a point
apiece. A deserved draw for the Seagulls and a valuable point to assist their
Premier League survival battle. Final-score 1-1.
The Albion had 8 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 6. The Spurs had 16 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 4
corners, free-kicks conceded - 5.
Albion line-up (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Bruno Saltor (Capt), Shane Duffy,
Lewis Dunk, Gaetan Bong; Anthony Knockaert, Dale Stephens, Beram Kayal,
Jose Izquierdo (Solly March 77); Pascal Gross; Glenn Murray (Leonardo Ulloa 74).
Subs not used: Tim Krul (G/K), Ezequiel Schelotto, Connor Goldson, Jurgen
Locadia, Sam Baldock.
Tottenham Hotspur line-up (4-2-3-1):- Hugo Lloris (Capt), Serge Aurier, Toby
Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies; Moussa Sissoko (Mousa Dembele 74),
Victor Wanyama; Lucas Moura (Erik Lamela 74), Christian Eriksen, Heung-Min
Son: Harry Kane (Fernando Llorente 85). Subs not used: Michel Vorm (G/K),
Kieran Trippier, Eric Dier, Juan Foyth.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire). Assistant Referees: Matthew Wilkes &
Mark Scholes. Fourth Official: Lee Probert.
Yellow Card: Albion: 1 - Lewis Dunk.
Match Sponsor (Buckingham Group) Albion Man of the Match: Anthony
Knockaert.
Possession: Albion - 36%. Spurs - 64%.
Attendance: 30440.
NEXT GAME - BURNLEY - AWAY - PREMIER LEAGUE - 28 APRIL 2018.
The Seagulls are on their travels again, this time to seventh-placed Burnley
(52 points from 33 games) for a Premier League encounter at Turf Moor.
Earlier this season at the Amex on the 16 December 2017, the teams played
out a 0-0 draw, with Glenn Murray winning and then missing the resultant
penalty kick. Manager Sean Dyche has assembled a talented squad, which
includes former Albion player Ashley Barnes and former Albion loanees Stephen
Ward (Wolves), Chris Wood (WBA) and Sam Vokes (Wolves). The Seagulls
will do well to come away from Turf Moor with a point.
