Hughton fumes as Propper red card keeps Brighton in survival fight
WHEN Brighton took a firsthalf lead through Jonas Lossl’s own goal, some in the stadium appeared to think the home side were almost there. A goal up against a Huddersfield team on the slide and without a goal to their name in March, salvation appeared in sight.
Instead, Brighton were pegged back, reduced to 10 men when Davy Propper was dismissed and ended up grateful for a point. For Huddersfield, it was a precious one. This result eased an awful period of form and leaves them four points clear of the drop zone — although Southampton have two games in hand.
This was Brighton’s chance to kill off all fears of the drop. Manager Chris Hughton appears well aware that his side could be drawn into the relegation quicksands and a home assignment against Huddersfield felt like the opportunity to prevent any late-season drama.
David Wagner may feel that the final throes against 10 men offered a vital opportunity to turn one point into three. Predictably, the two managers had differing views on the red card, after Propper lunged in a split-second late on Jonathan
Hogg in the 74th minute. Wagner called the challenge ‘dangerous’ but Brighton manager Chris Hughton said: ‘From the angle from where he was I find it hard to believe he gave it.’
Hughton’s determination to win was palpable and his side gained the advantage on 29 minutes as Solly March fired a daisy-cutter towards the bottom corner. Lossl clawed down low but erred badly, allowing the ball out of his grasp and over the line.
Brighton returned the gift three minutes later. Shane Duffy played a blind pass back towards his goalkeeper, striker Steve Mounie nipped past Mathew Ryan and converted. It was his ninth of the season and third against Brighton.
The game changed in a flash, with a revitalised Huddersfield now a threat on the break.
Rajiv van La Parra sprinted down the left and was hauled to the floor by Duffy. The centre half had already been booked and only referee Anthony Taylor will know why he was not dismissed. BRIGHTON (4-4-1-1): Ryan 6; Schelotto 6, Duffy 5, Dunk 6.5, Bong 5.5; March 7, Propper 5.5, Stephens 6, Izquierdo 7; Gross 6 (Kayal 76min, 6), Murray 5 (Ulloa 67, 5.5). Booked: Duffy. Sent off: Propper (74min). Subs (not used): Krul, Bruno, Baldock, Locadia, Goldson. HUDDERSFIELD (4-4-1-1): Lossl 5; Hadergjonaj 5.5, Jorgensen 6, Schindler 6, Kongolo 6.5; Ince 6 (Depoitre 90), Hogg 7 (Billing 80), Mooy 6.5, Van La Parra 6.5 (Quaner 90); Pritchard 7; Mounie 7. Subs (not used): Coleman, Smith, Malone, Lowe. Referee: A Taylor 7.