DOUBLE TOP
SAM BALDOCK was on fire in the second half at Barnsley as his two clinically-taken strikes fired Brighton back to the top of the Championship.
After a minor blip which had seen the Seagulls win just one of their previous four games, Chris Hughton’s side were right back on the money in this one and looked every inch automatic promotion certainties once again.
Hughton, who celebrated his 100th league game in charge in some style, said: “We were a little better. We got back to the kind of level we know we are capable of reaching.
“We needed to get back to that kind of performance because we were up against a very good side who were in good form.
“It was about working hard, keeping your shape, and in the second half in particular, we were resolute in that.
“When things haven’t necessarily been going for you, you are looking for a reaction from players. I think everyone saw that here. I was delighted with all 11 players out there.
“A clean sheet is important too. We had been working on a few basics and that has paid off.”
Hughton saluted Baldock’s opening strike as the gamechanger. “It was a very good finish from Sam,” he said.
“It was always going to be difficult here, so maybe you need to find a strike like that to make the difference.
“The second goal was a good one too. It’s been a really good day for Sam.”
It was an enterprising opening period at sun-drenched Oakwell. Both sides came close to making a breakthrough, with the Tykes threatening first as Ryan Kent’s well-executed free-kick was deflected narrowly wide.
The Seagulls should have gone in front in the 20th minute when the recalled Jamie Murphy charged in to meet Bruno’s cross only to head over from eight yards.
Back came Barnsley, with Marley Watkins and Adam Armstrong both denied in rapid succession by Seagulls keeper David Stockdale.
It was pretty much one-way traffic in the second period as Brighton pressed their foot on the