SHANE’S HOME RULE
SHANE DUFFY was history at Brighton this time last year when he was sent out on loan to Celtic.
But yesterday the Seagulls’ central defender completed a magical, most unexpected homecoming as he helped Graham Potter’s men make history.
Duffy’s thumping first-half header, combined with Neal Maupay’s second of the campaign before the break, made it two wins out of two for the South Coast club this term.
And that is the first time ever in the top flight they have collected maximum points at this stage.
Talk about a strange twist of fate for ex-Blackburn man Duffy, who until Ben White’s £50million switch to Arsenal this month was surplus to requirements under boss Potter.
That could still prove the case once full-back Dan Burn is fit. However, for now Duffy is a valued member of the Seagulls’ set-up.
He said: “It’s been a long year and I’ve missed the place.
“The reception from the fans was brilliant all day.
“It feels like home here and it was great to be back.
“The first half especially I thought we controlled it and in the second half they had nothing to lose and threw it all at us. But I thought we defended well and could have even added more.”
Premier League new boys Watford, meanwhile, left the Amex Stadium licking their wounds, having received a serious reality check about costly lapses in concentration.
They could – and possibly should – have been behind in 30 seconds after one of the sloppiest, most bizarre starts imaginable.
Watford kicked off but gave the ball straight to Leandro Trossard who, having made his way into the the area, somehow decided not to shoot and the attacking move petered out.
Duffy did just the opposite, the 6ft 4in Republic of Ireland ace slipping marker Adam Masina to head in a beauty off the underside of the bar following Pascal Gross’ inswinging corner.
Watford needlessly conceded a killer second.
Defender William Ekong sold Tom Cleverly short with a desperately weak, off-target pass.
That was the incentive for brilliant Yves Bissouma to pounce and put Maupay through to score.