Slick Gulls climb back above Mags

Brighton boss Chris Hughton hailed matchwinner Tomer Hemed after the Israeli’s superb goal took the Seagulls back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship last night.

Albion leapfrogged Newcastle with a 1-0 Amex Stadium victory.

Hemed’s first-team opportunities have been limited, but with Glenn Murray suspended and Sam Baldock injured, Hemed was outstanding as Albion made it five home league wins in a row.

Hemed settled the issue with a rasping rightfoot shot 17 minutes from time and Hughton said: “It was a great goal; he created something out of nothing.

“Tomer has been frustrated, no doubt. But he’s done what every good professional does and that is makes the most the opportunity when it has come.”

Brighton are on course for automatic promotion having lost only one of their last 21 games.

Hughton felt his men “worked very hard” to open up an 11-point cushion on third place. He added: “We have shown ability to get over the line and are capable of winning games in different ways. In this performance, I was confident we’d score; I always felt we had enough in the side to be able to find the goal.”

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock said: “Brighton are the best team and Newcastle have the best squad.

“The 12-point gap to third place means that the top two can lose four or five games and still go up.”