MAUP-A-DOPE!
It’s a knockout after Duffy’s homecoming joy
SHANE DUFFY was history at Brighton this time last year when sent out on loan to Celtic.
Yesterday the Seagulls’ central defender completed a magical, most unexpected homecoming as he was on hand to help Graham Potter’s men create history.
Duffy’s thumping first-half header, combined with Neal Maupay’s second of the campaign before the break, made it two wins out of two for the South Coast club this term.
And that is the first time ever in the top flight they have collected maximum points at this stage.
Talk about a strange twist of fate for ex-blackburn man Duffy, who until Ben White’s £50million switch to Arsenal this month was surplus to requirements under boss Potter.
That could still prove the case once full-back Dan Burn is fit. However, for now, Duffy, 29, is certainly a valued member of the Seagulls set-up.
Duffy declared: “It was amazing to score again in front of our fans. This is a special place for me. It’s football. You have to believe and prove yourself. I’m not going away unless told otherwise.”
Potter added: “He’s done really well since coming back – a real breath of fresh air. Credit to Shane. And he looks like he’s enjoying his football here too, which is great.”
Premier League new-boys Watford, meanwhile, left the Amex Stadium licking their wounds after costly lapses in concentration.
Scoring, of course, was a real issue for the hosts last season – and their poor finishing left them battling relegation until the penultimate weekend. Watford had bounced back into the big-time at the first attempt – and walloped Aston Villa last Saturday. Yet they could have been behind after just 30 seconds last night after a bizarre start.
Watford kicked off but gave the ball straight to Leandro Trossard who, having made his way into the area, inexplicably decided not to shoot and the move petered out.
The contest did the opposite. A minute later Yves Bissouma blasted over for Brighton before Hornets winger Ken Sema had a shot deflected over.
And in the 10th minute, Duffy slipped Adam Masina and headed in a beauty off the underside of the bar from Pascal Gross’ inswinging corner. Watford continued to be their own worst enemies and on 41 minutes they needlessly conceded the killer second.
Defender William Troost-ekong sold Tom Cleverly short with an awful pass and Bissouma pounced to put Maupay through and he calmly drilled past helpless keeper Daniel Bachmann.
Maupay’s joy was shortlived. Seconds later he was in a crumpled heap after falling heavily on his shoulder and was subbed at the interval.
Brighton held on to the lead despite a vastly improved final 30 minutes from Watford. Cleverly forced a sharp save from Robert Sanchez before Emmanuel Dennis’s effort was ruled out for offside.
After only his seventh defeat at the Vicarage Road helm, coach Xisco Munoz groaned: “The first half was not a good performance.
“We need to learn quickly about the Premier League. One mistake and you have problems.”