EVERTON 0
Hughton so happy to have Jurgen on board
BRIGHTON’S £14million man Jurgen Locadia has been told there’s no chance of him leaving in January after scoring the winner in a feisty clash with Everton.
Locadia, who was Brighton’s record signing when he arrived from PSV 12 months ago, has been stuck on the bench for the best part of a year.
But since telling Dutch newspapers that he wanted to quit the club, he has suddenly come alive.
Having scored in a draw against Arsenal on Boxing Day, the striker put Everton to the sword at the Amex.
And now boss Chris Hughton says he’s here to stay. He said: “Our thoughts have never been about him leaving.
“Jurgen’s a really decent lad and our thinking always was that he was misquoted. We are aware that he wouldn’t have been happy not playing, I can understand that.
“But he’s knuckled down, trained well every day and I’m delighted for him. Credit to him.”
Hughton (below) was delighted with his side’s performance as they held off Everton to keep a clean sheet for the first time in 10 Premier League games.
The result leaves them on 25 points, 13th in the table and looking odds-on to stay up again.
For the Blues, however, the result means four defeats and two draws in their last seven games – and frustration got the better of them at the final whistle.
Defender Lucas Digne appeared to shove Brighton striker Glenn Murray as a furious row broke out on the far side of the pitch.
Everton boss Marco Silva then had words with referee Andy Madley – but refused to discuss what was said.
“What I told him is to stay between me and him,” Silva insisted.
“The referee has conditions to be better but it’s not an excuse. It was a tough match for us and for Brighton – and for the referee it was the same.”
Brighton worked hard for their win. Captain Lewis Dunk led the way with a powerful display, while left-back Bernardo is an outstanding prospect.
Then there was stand-in keeper David Button with first-choice Matty Ryan at the Asian Cup with Australia.
And despite a nervy start, Button succeeded in keeping a clean sheet.
The goal came when a corner from Pascal Gross cannoned off the calf of Andre Gomes into the path of Locadia, who lashed in a first-time shot.
There was a moment of uncertainty as the linesman put up his flag, concerned that the ball may have struck an offside Brighton man.
But Madley correctly pointed to the centre spot.