Hughton happy with any victory as Seagulls steer clear of relegation scrap
CHRIS HUGHTON preached pragmatism rather than delight after snatching victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a game that his Seagulls side spent mostly on the back foot.
The victory put Brighton nine points clear of the relegation zone after ten Premier League outings for Albion, who were far from their best in front of a record crowd of 30,654 at the Amex Stadium.
It mattered little to the former Ireland international and assistant manager however, as he dealt with the reality which faces the likes of Brighton in the cauldron of the Premier League battle for survival.
“I think when you are Brighton playing in this division you are always looking down as opposed to up and it’s really about picking up points and securing as big a gap as we can from that bottom three,” he said. “That’s pleasing.
“Hopefully at some stage we’ll get a victory where it’s an open, freeflowing game where we’ve played to what our potential is.”
The 59-year-old guided Brighton to safety with two fixtures to spare last term following promotion and has repeatedly said that survival remains the club’s primary objective. Just like last season, it looks as though Glenn Murray’s goals will be crucial to their target as he claimed his 100th goal for the club with a neat finish which proved the difference against Wolves.
The 35-year-old required hospital treatment after being knocked unconscious in last week’s victory at Newcastle but was determined to play and his manager had no doubts about starting him.
“Glenn always was adamant he was fine, he wanted to play,” said Hughton. “Because we followed the protocol, we knew that medically he was fine to play so then really it’s about the player.
“If we feel that there might be some reluctance, a little bit of fear or something... but we never got that feeling with Glenn.
“He’s somebody who wants to play and wants to play as many games as possible.
“My thoughts were always to play him, if we were able to. He’s somebody that’s desperate to score goals.”
Murray, making his 231st Albion appearance over two spells, swept home the winner three minutes into the second half with his side’s sole effort on target.
Despite hitting a post through Shane Duffy’s first-half header, the hosts were second best for the majority of the game but clung on for a third consecutive 1-0 victory.
“Winning three on the spin for a club like ourselves is something very
difficult to do,” added Hughton.
“We certainly can play better. In the last two weeks we’ve really had to rely on determination, team spirit and players defending very, very well.
“It would be nice to have a more comfortable victory but at this level, a victory is a victory.”
The dominant visitors peppered Albion’s goal with 25 attempts but were unable to make a breakthrough.
Irish international full-back Matt Doherty wasted several chances, while Ruben Neves twice threatened from range in the second half.
Doherty was also denied a first-half penalty when his powerful drive appeared to strike the arm of Jose Izquierdo.
Afterwards, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo called for the introduction of VAR following Anthony Taylor’s decision not to point to the spot.
“It is something that there’s no doubt it will come,” head coach Nuno said of VAR, which is being trialled in the top flight this season.
“I just hope that when it comes it’s better than is going around in football.
“When it comes to the Premier League, they must be really sure but if it represents the truth of the game, (it is) welcome.
“Sometimes the referee sees things and gives them, sometimes they don’t see it.”