All Andone

Huddersfield .... 1 Brighton .... 2

AS Christmas approaches for both managers, it is not so much the jingle bells but the relegation chimes rattling the eardrums.

The survival game is already in full flow for Huddersfield’s David Wagner and Brighton’s Chris Hughton.

Yesterday their collective nerves were shredded to bits on a rollercoaster of emotions in the frenzied battle to beat the dreaded drop.

Hughton watched on powerless to prevent the Seagulls conceding the quickest goal so far this season in the Premier League – with just 55 seconds on the clock.

Then Wagner’s ecstasy turned to horror as misfiring striker Steve Mounie was shown a red card by top referee Michael Oliver after implanting his studs in Yves Bissouma’s leg.

Mounie later appeared in the directors’ box – hopefully riddled with guilt – and looked on as Brighton took advantage of the extra man to stage a fine recovery. Wagner, though, believed that it was a harsh decision.

He said: “For me, the red card wasn’t one. If I decide to

give it, maybe it was on the brink but I didn’t think it was. Three of these big decisions went against us today.

“Football is no fun. You have no chance to be successful when this happens.

“No referee is doing it on purpose but the decisions were wrong. Even the best have days off.

“This is the case. They are all humans.” The ever-reliable Shane Duffy shook off his defensive duties to grab a headed Brighton equaliser deep into first-half added time.

And Romanian striker Florin Andone justified Hughton’s faith in starting him ahead of goal machine Glenn Murray with his first goal in English football since his summer move from Deportivo La Coruna enabling Brighton to make off with the three points.

A delighted Hughton