BRIGHTON FREEFALL
In their bid to stave off the unthinkable, Brighton can no longer afford to bottle it.
They host Cardiff tomorrow night knowing that victory should all but secure their topflight status, but it was never supposed to come to this.
After a 2-2 draw at West Ham on January 2, they were 10 points clear of the drop and sitting comfortably in mid-table. now, following a devastating 5-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth — their heaviest at the Amex since moving in — Chris Hughton’s side are just one place and five points above the third and final relegation spot. Lose tomorrow and it becomes a nerve-jangling two points.
Only Fulham and Huddersfield, the two clubs to have already waved goodbye to their Premier League status this season, have collected fewer points than Brighton’s eight in 2019.
‘We were obviously in a good place,’ said Hughton. ‘But you always know it’s going to be difficult, particularly because of the league we are playing in.
‘This is still a club that needs to be fighting in every game. I didn’t think we would be scrapping as much as we are having to scrap now. And what I certainly didn’t see was the performance today.’
Saturday’s hammering was not the way Hughton would have envisaged kicking off a hectic schedule that sees his side play five matches in a fortnight.
It also brought up consecutive home defeats for the first time in the Premier League. Throw in the fact that they have scored just twice in their last six home games and you understand how daunting this relegation showdown feels.
‘ However big we thought Cardiff was, it’s become bigger,’ added Hughton.
‘We approach it by trying to win it. The best result for us is to make sure we end up being eight points clear rather than a draw or a defeat.
‘So as regards to the players, they have no choice, we have a game in three days’ time and they have to lift themselves up. I will pick a team that I think can get a result.’
That preparation won’t involve Anthony Knockaert. The winger (below) will be suspended after his red card for a rash lunge on Adam Smith in the second half. Bournemouth defender Steve Cook insists the Frenchman was lucky that was the only consequence of his mindless moment.
‘It was nasty,’ said the 27-yearold, who started his career at Brighton. ‘I know the guy quite well and it’s not like him, but I can’t really defend him. Smudger was lucky to come out and continue the game. I don’t know what was going through his head.’
Cook can also count himself a little lucky. It was the defender’s first run out after having a virus that left him unable to stand on his own two feet. The impact of his return, manager Eddie Howe said, was there for all to see. ‘Cook returning was huge for us,’ said the Bournemouth boss. ‘His leadership, his mentality, his experience was just what we needed.’
BRIGHTON (4-3-3): Ryan 5; Montoya 5, Duffy 5, Dunk 5, Bernardo 5; Stephens 5, Bissouma 5.5, Propper 5 (Izquierdo 63, 5); Knockaert 3, Locadia 5, Andone 5 (Murray 58, 5). Subs not used: Button, Kayal, Jahanbakhsh, Bong, Burn. Booked: Andone, Bissouma. Sent off: Knockaert. Manager: Chris Hughton 5. BOURNEMOUTH (3-4-3): Boruc 6; Cook 6.5 (Simpson 87), Ake 6.5, Mepham 6; FRASER 8, Lerma 7, Gosling 7.5, Smith 6.5; Brooks 6.5, King 6 (Solanke 76), Wilson 8 (Stanislas 83). Subs not used: Begovic, Ibe, Mousset, Clyne. Booked: Boruc, Gosling, Ake, Mepham. Scorers: Gosling 33, Fraser 55, Brooks 74, Wilson 82, Stanislas 90+2. Manager: Eddie Howe 8.5. Referee: Kevin Friend 7. Attendance: 30,460.