NEWCASTLE AGONY AS LEEDS LEAVE IT LATE
Win puts Brighton on verge of promotion
BANK HOLIDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE SPECIAL:
THE party poppers are poised for Monday after Brighton’s promotion festivities moved tantalisingly within reach thanks to two goals from Anthony Knockaert.
Should Huddersfieldld drop points at Derby, then victoryctory over Wigan will confirmirm Brighton’s automatic ic promotion. And how w they have earned it.
After missing out on promotion to Middlesbrough on goal difference last season, slipping into their third play- offs in four years, Brighton havee become a well- drilleded machine, their promotion ion to the Premier Leagueague seemingly a formalitylity as Huddersfield and even Newcastletl have faltered. They lead thirdplaced Huddersfield by 12 points after this sixth win in seven games and with Newcastle slipping late on at home to Leeds last night, are four points clear.
Knockaert may have been in an offside position when taking David Stockdale’s long clearance before shooting home for his first goal just before half-time, but his status as a Brighton legend in the making is gaining credence. The Championship Player of the Year embodies boss Chris Hughton’s approach as he blends graft with craft.
That was his 14th goal of the season but the manner in which he and Solly March tuck in from the flanks to give Brighton’s midfield such solidity reflects Hughton’s tactical acumen.
Brighton have not been in the top flight for 34 years but, in Hughton, they have a manager capable of giving them a chance in the Premier League. But first, we should let them enjoy their party.
They were given a stern enough test in the second half at Molineux last night as Wolves, despite possessing the third worst home record in the Championship, looked more like the sturdy outfit Paul Lambert led to five straight wins recently to stave off any threat of relegation.
But after Ben Marshall had two efforts saved by Stockdale, Brighton broke with devastating effect eight minutes from time.
Jamie Murphy played a through ball which broke for Glenn Murray, who played in Knockaert to slide home right- footed from close range. That left Brighton’s travelling fans proclaiming, ‘We’re going to win the league’, and with Newcastle having wobbled recently as they edge towards their own promotion, few could argue with them.
Hosting Wigan on Monday offers Brighton’s players and fans the chance to savour their biggest moment at the Amex Stadium since it opened in July 2011.
Unchanged from the side that won at Queens Park Rangers last Friday, Hughton’s team are so fluent in their game-plan. It is hard to knock them out of their stride.
Knockaert is always dangerous cutting in from the right flank and it was from there that the Frenchman gave Brighton the lead.
Kortney Hause misread Stockdale’s clearance but Knockaert showed coolness to take the ball down, dummy inside the recovering defender and drill a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area. Perhaps Andy Lonergan should have done better with the one hand he did get to the ball.
Even before his goal, Knockaert threatened. When Romain Saiss conceded possession in the centre circle in the 15th minute, he slipped in a pass for Tomer Hemed to fire a first-time shot against the corner of bar and post.
When Dale Stephens’ diagonal pass found Bruno Saltor, Hemed almost converted from his ensuing cross before Murray’s header from Knockaert’s free-kick was brilliantly tipped over by Lonergan.
Wolves have found their feet lately and were chasing a fourth consecutive win at Molineux for the first time since 2014. Lambert has instilled a forceful pressing game, which is frequently lit up with pace and devilry on the flanks, but the absence of Helder Costa with an ankle injury drained them of their greatest attacking source.
Brighton were able to pass around the Wolves midfield press and, after Knockaert’s breakthrough goal, Hemed could have scored again in stoppage time at the end of the first half, but he only managed to blast his shot over the top after Conor Coady’s error.
Brighton played within themselves in the second half, content to attack on the counter as Wolves pressed. Promotion is surely a formality.