Brighton and Hove Albion scored three goals and kept a rare clean sheet as they easily beat Leeds United in the Premier League.
Danny Welbeck’s sixth goal in five league games and a brace from Diego Gomez secured a return to winning ways for Fabian Hurzeler’s team.
It was just what the doctor ordered after back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League and Carabao Cup respectively.
It was Brighton’s first clean sheet of the season and their first in 22 league matches.
Brighton and Hove Albion scored three goals and kept a rare clean sheet as they easily beat Leeds United in the Premier League. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)placeholder image
Brighton and Hove Albion scored three goals and kept a rare clean sheet as they easily beat Leeds United in the Premier League. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Welbeck got the party started with a goal from close range after 11 minutes. The veteran striker, who can’t stop scoring, was set up by Mats Wieffer after some lovely work by Yankuba Minteh.
Minteh nearly made it two for the Seagulls after a fast counter attack but the Gambian wide man’s shot went just wide after he waited for the perfect time to shoot.
Leeds – who were second best for most of the afternoon – did threaten the Brighton goal at times. The visitors nearly equalised on stroke of half-time through Sean Longstaff.
But Brighton were quickly back on top and got that all-important second goal through Diego Gomez. The Paraguay international scored his first goal of the season on the 64th minute after more good work out wide by Minteh.
It was then Georginio to put the ball on a plate for Gomez after a classy run just six minutes later.
The Seagulls were soaring at this point and if it wasn’t for Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri, the hosts could have had five or six.
The Brazilian keeper denied Gomez a hat-trick and somehow kept out Yasin Ayari’s powerful drive.
Opposite number one Bart Verbruggen – who didn’t have a huge amount to do all afternoon – was alert to make two quickfire saves as Leeds tried to find a consolation goal.
Bart Verbruggen – 7: Not many saves to make but preserved a rare clean sheet with a couple of saves in quick succession on the 84th minute. His distribution was good today.
Ferdi Kadıoğlu – 7: Eighth start in a row since coming on a substitute after 24 minutes at Bournemouth back in mid-September. He’s made himself undroppable in this Brighton side. Started to make himself a nuisance going forward and was effective defensively.
Lewis Dunk (c) – 7: Solid at the back. Earned applause for a couple of sliding challenges.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 8: Won the ball back high up the field for his team. Superb sliding tackle to win the ball back and almost provide an assist for Welbeck in the process. Had a shot saved by Perri. Poorly timed challenge but referee allowed play to continue, with Leeds on the attack.
Mats Wieffer – 7: Much better display at right-back, with continued questions over his best position. Grabbed an assist for Welbeck with a pinpoint cross. Beaten too easily as Leeds threatened to get a goal back at 3-0.
Yasin Ayari – 7: Kept things simple and this was much for like it from the Swedish midfielder, who struggled at Old Trafford. Acres of space to run into but his shot was tame and easy for the keeper to keep hold of. Nice effort after Brighton corner – couldn’t quite keep his shot down and on target. Unlucky not to score as Brighton searched for a fourth.
Carlos Baleba – 6: Some signs of improvement – with some great interceptions – but still way off his best. Some misplaced passes did not prove costly. Slipped and lost the ball in the middle of the park. Gifted away a corner after making a mess of an attempt at a clearance as the clock ticked down as Hurzeler was not a happy man, with a clean sheet high on the agenda.
Diego Gómez – 9: The goals may not have been at the standard of his sublime Carabao Cup hat-trick at Barnsley – but who cares? A brilliant confidence-boosting brace for the midfielder who was in the right place, at the right time, on two occasions. He also put in some vital defensive work. Nearly grabbed a hat-trick, with an outside-of-the-boot attempt. Given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Tommy Watson.
Georginio Rutter – 8: Up against his former employers. Earned a free kick after a sharp turn in the first-half. Great effort into the side-netting at start of second-half. Lovely dummy for Gomez’s first goal. Worked some magic to set up his team’s third goal. The former Leeds man had an apologetic look on his face as his teammates came to celebrate with him. The Frenchman was substituted to applause from the Brighton faithful and even some of the travelleing Leeds supporters which was nice to see.
Yankuba Minteh – 8: Lovely work in build-up to the opener – delicate chipped pass to Wieffer. Won the ball fairly with perfectly timed sliding challenge on Noah Okafor. Brilliant run but his shot was just wide. Set up Van Hecke’s chance after good turn of pace. At the heart of Brighton’s second goal as his cross from the right landed at the feet of goalscorer Gomez. Warmly applauded off the field as he was replaced after 87 minutes.
Danny Welbeck – 8: Almost guaranteed to score when he plays at the moment. Sixth goal in five games. Nearly scored his second with powerful effort. Gave the ball away during promising counter attack. Skipped past Bogle after a sharp piece of skill. Given a deserved rest after 80 minutes.
Substitutes:
Tommy Watson – 6: Looked like he may get his first Brighton goal but he was crowded out. Energetic display as Brighton searched for a fourth goal. Would love to see him start a match soon.
Stefanos Tzimas – 6: Still waiting for that first Premier League goal but didn’t have much time to do so today.
Charalampos Kostoulas – N/A
Nehemiah Oriola – N/A: Nice moment as the former Manchester United youth star came on for his Brighton debut in the closing stages.
Joe Knight – N/A: Another first senior appearance as the 20-year-old got a brief run-out at the Amex late on.
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