Escape artist Glenn all set for next trick
GLENN MURRAY has typically lived life at the undesirable end of the Premier League table, but he always seems to know the escape code.
His previous top- flight seasons with Crystal Palace and Bournemouth have been fraught with relegation danger, only for a timely surge to propel them to safety.
That same pattern could well be repeated at Brighton, as Murray’s two goals in the win over Swansea on Saturday made it four games without defeat in the league.
Murray only managed 11 goals in his previous three Premier League campaigns, but the 34-year-old already has 10 this season and his knowhow in a relegation scrap is proving handy.
‘Everybody knows Glenn Murray, he does what he does,’ said Anthony Knockaert, also on target in a victory that lifted the Seagulls to 12th. ‘He is always in the right place at the right moment, that’s what I call a goalscorer. He does his job perfectly.
‘It’s not about age — age is nothing now. Bruno (Brighton’s 37-year- old full back) is exactly the same. I’m delighted for Glenn because he is a great man and he deserves everything.’ Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jamie Vardy are the only Englishmen to have scored more Premier League goals than Murray this season.
Often perceived as a forward who couldn’t quite cut it in the top flight, Murray is relishing proving his detractors wrong in an Indian summer to his career.
‘You can’t be Glenn’s age and playing in this division without having worked hard to get there,’ said manager Chris Hughton. ‘With regards to goals, he’s always had that knack, that desire to get into the right position and I don’t think that will change.’
Murray may have scored twice, but Jose Izquierdo and Pascal Gross were equally impressive and Jurgen Locadia opened his league account for the club with the fourth after Lewis Dunk’s own goal.
Murray was full of praise for playmaker Gross. ‘He’s very composed on the ball, he never gets flustered,’ he said. ‘He’s got a very different outlook on the game. He is a creator, more than anyone else I’ve played with. He gets great enjoyment out of creating chances and goals.’
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (4-4-1-1): Ryan 6.5; Schelotto 6.5, Duffy 6.5, Dunk 6.5, Bong 6; Knockaert 7 (March 78min), Stephens 6.5, Propper 6.5, Izquierdo 7.5; Gross 7.5 (Kayal 90); MURRAY 8 (Locadia 82).
Subs not used: Krul; Bruno, Goldson, Ulloa. Scorers: Murray 18 pen, 69, Knockaert 73, Locadia 90. Booked: Murray. Manager: Chris Hughton 8.
SWANSEA CITY (5-4-1): Fabianski 5; Naughton 5, Van der Hoorn 4 (Narsingh 46, 6), Fernandez 5, Mawson 5.5, Olsson 6; Dyer 5 (A Ayew 36, 6), Ki 6.5, Carroll 6.5 (Abraham 65, 6), Clucas 6; J Ayew 5.
Subs not used: Nordfeldt, Routledge, King, Bartley. Scorer: Dunk 85 og. Booked: None. Manager: Carlos Carvalhal 5. Referee: Mike Dean 7. Attendance: 30,523.