HUDDS FALL CLOSER TO DROP
FLORIN ANDONE was the super sub as relieved Brighton eased their growing relegation fears.
The Romania striker, a villain for missing key games after an elbowing incident in the FA Cup against West Brom, came off the bench to head home with 12 minutes left.
And after a run that saw the Seagulls in freefall there is now once again a cushion of five points after Cardiff ’s latest defeat.
Chris Hughton admitted his players have been given a “big fright” – and this was a priceless first win both this year and for eight long Premier League matches.
It marked a first double of the campaign for Brighton. Andone, with five goals, was the matchwinner at the John Smith’s Stadium.
But the Terriers, given fleeting hope with the win over Wolves last week, are 13 points from safety and look doomed to a return to the Championship after two top-flight seasons.
Brighton have now won all five games in which Andone has scored since arriving last summer from Deportivo La Coruna. Their fate may well now rest on home games against fellow strugglers Southampton, the Bluebirds and Newcastle.
Hughton said: “Florin has said it was like a final – I can’t afford to think that way as a manager but it did feel like a big win. There were nerves and apprehension.
“The overwhelming feeling was relief. The players have had a big fright and I hope they can go and finish the job of survival now. This league is really tough.
“Florin was just back from a three-match ban, he wants to play every game and he changed the whole game when he came on.”
Chris Eubank Jr was in the stands watching his hometown team – but neither side looked capable of landing a knockout punch in the opening exchanges.
But in the 38th minute the home side came within a crossbar’s width of taking the lead.
Iran international Alireza Jahanbakhsh has done little to justify his £17million fee but he was inches from a wonder goal.
And Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan was called into action on the stroke of half-time with a smart save from Juninho Bacuna. The breakthrough came after 78 minutes. A short free-kick on the left was well worked by sub Jose Izquierdo and Anthony Knockaert’s cross was glanced in by Andone.
Jan Siewert said: “I am angry and frustrated because we lost the game because of a free-kick. In the Premier League you cannot allow this, we were not switched on. But there are games left, I want points and wins.”