Hughton frustrated after Duffy gifts Huddersfield precious point
Two teams trading mistakes and unable to conjure the decisive moment that would have delivered a significant boost to their hopes of remaining clear of the bottom three. Both managers had cause for frustration and relief – particularly Chris Hughton, the Brighton manager, whose side saw out the final 16 minutes with 10 men – and know there are more tension-filled afternoons to come before their Premier League fates are finally decided.
An error by Jonas Lossl, the Huddersfield goalkeeper, from Solly March’s shot allowed Brighton to establish a 29th-minute lead. That, though, was quickly cancelled out by an even starker misjudgment by Brighton centre-back Shane Duffy, who offered a grateful Steve Mounie the chance to equalise.
And while the 74th-minute dismissal of midfielder Davy Propper for a challenge on Jonathan Hogg meant Brighton were forced to work hard to avoid a second successive home defeat, Hughton and David Wagner were both entitled to consider this an opportunity missed.
“I’m disappointed and frustrated,” said Hughton. “It was a real good opportunity. The goal gave them the lift that they probably needed. But in a game where we weren’t at our best, in effect we gifted them a goal and had the two best chances of the game.
“Yes, probably in a few days’ time I’ll be delighted that we didn’t lose it towards the end. But at this moment we had such a good chance and we didn’t win it.”
Wagner took a similar view, although the Huddersfield manager was more satisfied at having secured a potentially invaluable point on the road. “Of course we were able to win, we had opportunities, but there were chances for Brighton as well,” he said. “I can’t ask for more and, if this means you get a point at Brighton away, I have to accept it.”
Brighton’s position is more comfortable, with Hughton’s side positioned seven points clear of the relegation places ahead of Southampton’s meeting with Arsenal today. His side, though, have developed a worrying tendency to create their own problems at a time when cool heads are needed. Propper’s dismissal for a studs-up challenge that left its mark on Hogg’s shin – Hughton thought the decision was harsh and said the club will consider appealing the decision, Wagner took a different view – is likely to see the midfielder miss the next three games. The breakthrough came when March capped a swift break by creating space on the edge of the Huddersfield penalty area and delivered a low shot that caught Lossl out at his near post. The keeper was slow to get down and, after tipping the ball onto a post, could not avoid deflecting the rebound in off his head. Brighton’s hopes of consolidating their advantage disappeared three minutes later when Duffy hit a backpass towards Mat Ryan without spotting the presence of Mounie, who rounded the keeper before rolling home the equaliser. The dismissal of Propper meant the home side ended the game grateful sub Colin Quaner failed to convert in added time.