Gross ends the 34-year wait for Brighton
AT LAST, not one, not two, but three Premier League goals for Brighton and a first win in the top flight for 34 years.
Chris Hughton’s side had registered only six shots on target this season, scoring none. Against West Bromwich Albion, who were uncharacteristically wobbly at the back, they managed just as many and half of them went in.
Gordon Smith was the last man to score for Brighton in the top tier in May 1983. It was German Pascal Gross who broke their duck here in the 45th and 48th minutes.
As one fan, who had gone for a half-time pint and pie, shouted while walking past the press after the start of the second half: ‘I missed both goals. I don’t believe it.’
He got to see the Seagulls’ third, at least, scored in the 63rd minute by Tomer Hemed and set up by Gross. That came before James Morrison’s consolation for West Bromwich.
‘It didn’t feel like we needed some relief but I suppose we did,’ Hughton said of Brighton’s first goal and win this season.
‘I have a group of lads here who are realistic enough to know it’s going to be a tough season.
‘But there’s a really good feeling to have got that win under our belts, and not only to have scored three but to have got into positions to score a few more.’
In the first all-Albion fixture in the top flight for 35 seasons, with the last being Brighton v West Brom in February 1983, the home side started on top. They thought they had got their goal in the 14th minute until the linesman’s flag cut short the celebrations.
A wicked shot by Solly March stung the palms of Ben Foster and Shane Duffy poked in the rebound but was offside.
Gareth Barry, going up against his 45th different club in the Premier League and equalling Ryan Giggs’ record, was West Brom’s best player.
The 36-year-old midfielder went close to opening the scoring with a ferocious half-volley that forced Mathew Ryan to make the save.
Yet it was Brighton who took the lead before half time when a cross by March floated over West Brom’s Allan Nyom to find Gross.
The German could have hit it first time but took a touch instead, cutting inside on his left foot and firing the ball beyond Foster.
Brighton doubled their advantage at the start of the second half, just as supporters were returning to their seats.
What those who were not in the stands missed was a low shot from 20 yards by Gross. Foster was disappointed to be beaten, and Tony Pulis far from happy.
‘To concede just before half-time and a minute after half-time is a real kick in the goolies,’ the West Brom manager said. ‘It gave them a massive lift.
‘The second goal is poor, kills us and lifts them again. Going 3-0 down was the icing on the cake for what we’d done.’
Brighton got their third when Hemed fought his way to the near post ahead of Jonny Evans to meet Gross’ cross. Job done.
West Brom got a goal back in the 77th minute when a cross by Kieran Gibbs found Oliver Burke, who laid it off for Morrison. Despite Duffy’s attempt to handle it off the line, the ball trickled over and the Brighton defender avoided being sent off.
Brighton missed out on signing a striker this summer, much to their annoyance, yet it mattered little here thanks to midfielder Gross. They are up and running.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (4-4-1-1): Ryan 7; Bruno 7 (Rosenior 62, 6.5), Duffy 7.5, Dunk 7.5, Suttner 7; Knockaert 7.5, Propper 7.5, Stephens 7, March 8; Gross 9; Hemed 8 (Murray 83). Subs (not used): Maenpaa, Huenemeier, Skalak, Murphy, Izquierdo. Booked: March, Murray.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-1-4-1): Foster 5; Dawson 5.5, Evans 5.5, Hegazi 5.5 (Gibbs 57, 6), Nyom 5.5; Barry 6; Phillips 5.5, Livermore 6 (Morrison 71, 6.5), Krychowiak 5.5, Rodriguez 5.5; Rondon 5 (Burke 57, 6). Subs (not used): Myhill, Yacob, Brunt, McClean.
Referee: C Kavanagh 6.