TON-UP SAM HAS SEAGULLS SOARING
CHRIS Hughton toasted the striking riches at his disposal as Brighton got their promotion push back on course in emphatic fashion.
Sam Baldock’s 100th career goal coupled with Tomer Hemed’s double and substitute Glenn Murray’s late header helped the Seagulls return to winning ways after three games without a victory.
Manager Hughton said: “What Sam gives us is different to what we have. He is someone that will run behind at pace and it is good to have him back in the fold.
“We have four good strikers now in Sam, Tomer Hemed, Glenn Murray and Chuba Akpom and it is always going to be a squad game.
“Tomer is in good form and scoring goals and Glenn showed he does not have to start games to get on the scoresheet.”
Hughton sprang a surprise by dropping top-scorer Murray to the bench to make space for Hemed.
The in-form Israeli repaid his manager’s faith by putting Brighton in front after only 12 minutes.
French winger Anthony Knockaert raced down the right before driving in a low cross for Hemed to sweep in from six yards.
Brighton, without a win in their previous three league and cup games, started brightly with Steve Sidwell firing wide and Shane Duffy heading off target from a Solly March free-kick.
The mercurial Knockaert had the Burton defence running for cover moments after Hemed’s equaliser before powering a long-range shot into the arms of Jon McLaughlin.
March had a big hand in Brighton’s second two minutes after half-time.
Sidwell played in March down the left and his cross was turned home at the near post by the sliding Baldock.
Hughton, whose side are unbeaten at home in the league since September, added: “The timing of the first two goals helped us against a resilient Burton side.
“After that we looked like we could go and get a few more. It was good to get back to winning ways.”
Hemed looked to have put the game beyond doubt from the penalty spot on 57 minutes.
March was sent tumbling by Ben Turner and the ice-cool Hemed stepped up to roll the ball past McLaughlin from 12 yards.
Marvin Sordell should have reduced the deficit after dumping Lewis Dunk on his backside but failed to hit the target with only a helpless home goalkeeper David Stockdale to beat.
Michael Kightly showed Sordell how it should be done with a stunning 20-yard free-kick into the top corner 15 minutes from time.
Burton’s hopes of staging a dramatic fightback were thwarted when super sub Murray headed Knockaert’s cross into the far corner.
Burton boss Nigel Clough said: “I was disappointed with the first part of the game. We didn’t start playing until we were 3-0 down.
“We had to be brave against top of the league and we did not do that in the first half and gave the ball away every time we got it.
“The two goals at the start of the second half killed us and the only good thing is that at 3-0 some teams would have crumbled and lost five or six and we didn’t do that.
“At 3-1 we were on top and needed a bit of quality to get that second goal and push for an equaliser.
“We have good players but they have better and that gulf told in the end.”