Potter’s blotters
SEAGULLS FLAP... BUT BOO BOYS TOLD TO LEARN HISTORY
NEAL MAUPAY’S dismal finishing let Leeds off the hook on a miserable evening on the south coast for Marcelo Bielsa’s boys.
Brighton striker Maupay missed two golden chances to fire his side into the European places at the expense of the struggling Yorkshiremen.
He wasn’t alone in his wastefulness and, when it really mattered, keeper Illan Meslier was equal to the best the Seagulls had to throw at him.
Leeds are in pickle at the bottom and another defeat here would have only added to their frustrations.
But, despite the best efforts of Tariq Lamptey, who stole the show with his rapid pace and exceptional talent down the right for Brighton, and thanks to some very good fortune, they somehow held on and might even have nicked it themselves had it not been for a couple of decent saves from Robert Sanchez.
Brighton’s manager Graham Potter (right) said: “It’s frustrating not to score.
I thought our performance was brave. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen on the day but that’s life.”
On some fans booing, he added: “The fans are entitled to their opinions but I disagree with them. We are sitting eighth in the Premier League but maybe I need a history lesson on this club?”
Brighton flew out of the traps with Lamptey and Leandro Trossard dangerous in particular.
Poor Junior Firpo just couldn’t live with Lamptey for pace, and he was hooked at half-time.
Lamptey’s first centre picked out
Pascal Gross, who couldn’t keep his effort down, and when his second ball in worked its way to Maupay, he sent a chance over with the goal open.
The early pressure prompted a tweak in formation from
Bielsa, with Kalvin
Phillips pushed out of defence, Diego Llorente moving central and Stuart Dallas slotting in at right-back.
At times it looked as if Leeds weren’t sure what system they had.
Brighton pressed and can perhaps consider themselves unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty when Lamptey’s cross struck Liam Cooper on a hand from enough distance for the Leeds man to have moved his flailing limb out of the way.
A second handball penalty shout against Cooper soon after was weaker.
Leeds went close when Raphina’s free-kick deflected off Maupay in the wall. Dan James went lunging in but couldn’t quite extend a leg enough to make the contact required.
Brighton got back on the front foot and Meslier saved from Trossard’s low drive, then made a fingertip save to deny the same player, pushing the ball to a post.
Jakub Moder hit the outside of the woodwork from a tight angle and Firpo again had his blushes saved after getting skinned by Lamptey when Maupay failed to convert another chance.
The big question was how much Brighton might rue those misses and the first hint at an answer came when Dallas let rip from 25 yards with an effort firmly fisted away by Sanchez.
Then Roberts was released soon after coming on, and Leeds threatened, but his low diagonal drive was never going to trouble the Seagulls keeper.
Brighton were nowhere near as lively in the second period but they still had enough chances to win the game.
Maupay fired over again and Solly March looked to make an immediate impact after replacing Lamptey, but his shot deflected off Dallas and was tipped over by Meslier.
Sanchez had to be alert to another chance from Roberts and kept it out with an outstretched right boot.
The fans can have their opinions. We’re eighth in the Premier League... but maybe I need a history lesson on this club?