IT’S SEVEN UP!

Seagulls soar to new unbeaten record

WATFORD

ROY HODGSON has still to ignite Watford’s survival bid – and admits he needs to

do so fast.

After this second defeat in three games at the helm, the new Hornets boss moaned that his strugglers lacked the menace to hurt Brighton.

His side have not scored in 270 minutes under his watch.

And Hodgson said: “Brighton are good and they make you run a lot. But, apart from their two goals, they managed few openings.

“But the worst thing for us was that we were unable to put them under much pressure.

“We need to do everything good in the next 15 games to pull ourselves away from relegation.”

While Watford are trying to defy the history books – no side with 16 defeats from 23 outings has stayed up at this level – Brighton are flying high like never before.

Neal Maupay (left) and Adam Webster were on target in each half to make it a comfortable afternoon – and stretch their unbeaten Premier League run to seven – a new club record.

And, for good measure, this was Graham Potter’s first win over Hodgson in six attempts.

No wonder he was considerably happier than his opposite number as he hailed Maupay’s instinctive finish that put them on their way.

With his side ninth and on 33 points, the Seagulls boss said: “That was a really good display and reaction throughout against one of Roy’s team.

“It was a superb strike and execution from Neal. He didn’t get that many chances, but took that one so well.”

The visitors were in the mood to change Potter’s winless streak against Hodgson from the outset.

Twice in the first 20 minutes, home keeper Ben Foster had to save from midfielder Jakub Moder and then Maupay, who also flashed a header wide.

The hosts struggled to find any momentum.

That finally changed when Emmanuel Dennis lifted the place with a storming 50-yard run. That apart, the first half resembled a training session – 11 Watford players behind the ball asking Albion to find a killer pass.

But just when it seemed it would be goalless at the break, the Seagulls got a breakthrough.

Tariq Lamptey, in space on the right, crossed low and Maupay struck a first-time beauty past Foster on 44 minutes.

In response to that setback, Hodgson shuffled his pack at the break, introducing Senegal forward Ismaila Sarr.

Fresh from lifting the Africa Nations Cup, Sarr is sure to be the key figure if the Hornets do avoid going straight back down. His presence gives the side another dimension and allows others to find room.

As proved the case on the hour mark when Dennis wriggled free inside a congested area only to slam a deflected rocket against the bar.

That was a reminder that Potter’s men could do with a two-goal cushion – and they twice came close after he introduced Yves Bissouma and Alexis Mac Allister.

Moder was denied his first Premier League goal by Foster, who did even better to keep out Marc Cucurella’s drive.

There was, however, no stopping Webster wrapping up the points on 82 minutes.

JUST NEAL AND PLAY Brighton’s first goal scored by striker Maupay VITAL STATS BRIGHTON 1 .............. Shots on Target ........... 6 5 ............. Shots off Target ........... 2 3 ............... Blocked Shots ............ 3 4 ..................... Corners ................... 5 16 ....................... Fouls ..................... 9 1 ...................... Offsides ................... 1 3 ................. Yellow Cards .............. 2 0 ................... Red Cards ................ 0 70.3 ..... Passing Success %.. 79.5 43 ................. Duels Won .............. 73 37.1 ......... Duel Success % ..... 62.9 18 ..................... Tackles .................. 21 72.2 ......... Tackles Won % ....... 47.6 35.3 .......... Possession % ....... 64.7 48.2 ...... Territorial Adv % ..... 51.8 316 ............. Total Passes ......... 589 18 ............... Total Crosses ............ 21 162 ............... Lost Balls .............. 172 78 ................ Recoveries ............. 80 28.5 ........ 1st Half Poss % ....... 71.5 42.8 ...... 2nd Half Poss % ...... 57.2