MATCH FACTS ‘You should be DEVASTATED’
MATHEMATICALLY, it still may not be quite done and dusted.
Yet Norwich are as good as down for the third time in seven years after this fifth successive league defeat.
Daniel Farke’s basement boys, who were also relegated in 2014 and 2016, remain eight points adrift of safety.
Brighton, meanwhile, are just about safe for another season after Leandro Trossard’s fourth goal of the campaign earned them their first win in nine away dates.
That fired Graham Potter’s troops nine points clear of the drop zone – temporarily at least – and the Seagulls’ celebrations at the final whistle suggested they believe 36 points will be enough.
While his team may have become worryingly predictable on the pitch – they had only one victory from 10 games in all competitions and a pathetic three goals scored in the
BRIGHTON boss Graham Potter refused to accept his side have extended their Premier League stay – despite hitting 36 points.
That total has been sufficient to guarantee survival in the relegation scrap for each of the last three years.
Potter, whose side now have the same amount of points as
■ Norwich have failed to score in three consecutive home Premier League games for the first time ever.
■ Brighton have completed their first league last term under Chris Hughton, said: “Whatever history says, this is a unique season. I don’t think it makes us safe. But it’s a huge win, a huge three points as we all knew the importance of the game, with Liverpool and Man City coming up next.
“Our players are sensible.
They won’t listen to external noise and historical predictions about the last three years only – what about the fourth year? Anything can still happen.”
Norwich boss Daniel Farke’s mood was far less upbeat.
Defending his decision to leave top scorers Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell on the bench, Farke said: “We have a heavy workload, we play every three days. It was a quick turnaround after Arsenal when everyone looked tired. Todd had a good game versus Man United in the cup, but before that there were 12 league games with no goals and no assists. It’s not like we can’t win a game without him, and it’s the same with Pukki.
“It’s a tough day for us, we’re not relegated yet, but we’re very disappointed with the outcome.
“Yet it’s important to feel this pain – and I want my players to be devastated.”