A goal in the first minute from Huddersfield’s Mathias Jorgensen seemed to spell another away defeat for Brighton, but the Seagull’s reliable Shane Duffy scored a goal before halftime to even the score.
In the second half, it was Brighton that controlled the match with Huddersfield looking like a shell of the team seen in the first 45 minutes. The away side was rewarded for their dominance with Solly March turning in cross which debutant, Florin Adone, headed past Lossl.
As the match progressed the confidence of Hughton’s men only grew more evident with Brighton having several opportunities to increase their lead even further. However, the match would end 2-1 with Brighton’s second away win of the season.
Brief resurgence for Wagner’s Huddersfield
Quite frankly, no-one expected Huddersfield to get a result last weekend against Wolves; however, the Terriers impressed with an early lead and dominance throughout the game. Against Albion, Wagner’s men displayed similar tenacity and drive early on, although the result was not to be the same as their trip to Molineux.
It’s been a difficult season for the German manager thus far with this season starting out rather poorly compared to last season when they started their campaign with a dominant 3-0 win against Crystal Palace. Huddersfield were favourites for this match, and considering Brighton’s poor away form, a win for Hughton looked very unlikely.
The unlikely occurred, however, and the Huddersfield today looked nothing like the Huddersfield of last weekend. Wagner will be disappointed at his team’s disjointed, ugly match, especially since they established an early lead in the game.
Brighton must start more sharply
The Seagulls were able to tie the game in the first half after being a goal down – a great display of passion and persistence. Yet, Brighton were only in that position because they allowed themselves to concede a goal in the first minute of the game. One must wonder where that passion and enthusiasm was at the beginning of the match.
It isn’t so much that Brighton lack passion, it is that they are too often hesitant and cautious when they should be starting games with the same guile they display when they’re a goal or two goals down. Hughton must coax a proactive spirit out of his players as his team has the capacity to be the protagonist in matches like the one seen today.
Mounie red card changes outlook of match
It’s alarming for any manager to see one of his players being sent off. The loss of a midfielder or defender could spell disaster for a team, disrupting tempo or distribution. The loss of a forward seems to mean only a lack of goals perhaps; the midfield and back line remain intact.
Still, Mounie’s sending off changed the entire dynamic of the match, and Brighton firmly established themselves late in the first half, and all throughout the second. The Seagulls enjoyed 70% of the ball in the match and Huddersfield seemed to shrink every time Brighton’s wingers pushed forward. Whether it was an increase in cautiousness or a blow to morale, Huddersfield melted away after their forward’s sending off.
Brighton’s back line crucial again
The beautiful thing about Brighton’s defensive pairing of Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk is their abilities at both ends of the pitch. Between them, the pair have five goals, with Duffy’s tally of three goals being more than any other defender in the Premier League.
Against the Terriers, their defensive talents proved absolutely vital in securing Brighton’s first Premier League win from behind. The duo did well in snuffing out any of Huddersfield’s foray’s into Brighton’s half, and their distribution from the back was without mistakes. An absolutely fluid display from both centre-backs which bodes well for Brighton as they enter the gruelling December fixture list.
The importance of wingers
Huddersfield do not really have what one would consider authentic wingers in their team. Against Wolves it didn’t make much of a difference as their direct style of play won the match. Against Brighton the Terriers desperately needed creative players on the flank.
The Seagull’s pair on the flanks, Izquierdo and March, tormented Wagner’s men with March creating both of Brighton’s goals. Wingers create space for other players, they provide creativity through dribbling and crossing, and they offer support on the flanks for fullbacks. Hughton wise move of directing his play through his wingers won him this match.
On the other hand, Wagner could only watch as his team was pinned back further and further as the match dragged on. A lack of dynamism was evident today at John Smith’s stadium, and other’s watching the match will be sure to exploit the weaknesses on display today.
