Sidwell’s tribute is so fitting
STEVE Sidwell dedicated his Bonfire Night crackerjack to team-mate Anthony Knockaert following the death of his father.
After beating City goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell from fully 50 yards on 13 minutes, Sidwell raced to the dug-out with other Brighton players and held up the absent Knockaert’s No.11 shirt.
Sidwell said: “It was the goal of my career. But family comes before football and that one was for Anthony.”
O’Donnell was caught well off his line by the opportunistic leftfooted shot from inside the centre circle after the ball had run to Sidwell following a challenge by Sam Baldock on Korey Smith.
It was a candidate for goal-ofthe season and took the wind out of City’s sails after Lee Tomlin had missed an early chance for the hosts.
Seven minutes later Jamie Murphy cut in from the left to beat O’Donnell with a low shot from the edge of the box that took a deflection, putting Brighton on course to maintain their recent impressive form.
A delighted Chris Hughton said: “We had opportunities to score more goals, but what we did really well was limit them to very few clear chances.
“In training we do more offensive work than defensive and our good record or clean sheets is down to a great team ethic.
“It was a wonderful strike by Sidwell on his left foot when I would have expected it more from his right.
“It caught everyone by surprise including their keeper. The celebration was for a very popular member of our squad in Anthony Knockaert and showed what the lads think of him.
“At the moment I know we are a good team, but we cannot afford to take the pressure off. We have a better squad than last season, but whether we are a better side only time will tell.”
City barely created a chance after Tomlin fired wide of the near post on three minutes and head coach Lee Johnson admitted: “We have been convincingly beaten.
“If you had a bet on Brighton at half-time you would have felt really comfortable.
“Competing at the top end of the table brings different challenges, but I have told the lads that really good players compete for 90 minutes as if they were 10 up.
“We will continue to grow whether it is by improving the players we have or bringing in new faces. I have said we probably need three more transfer windows to get to where we want to be.
“I was frustrated by the opening goal. It was a great strike but I was disappointed with the way we were caught out by a square pass in midfield, and then that Richard O’Donnell was probably too far off his line and couldn’t move his feet to deal with the shot.
“I have no doubt that Brighton will be promoted this season. They tick all the boxes and remind me of Hull last season.”
There was barely a moment of anxiety for Brighton keeper David Stockdale.
Centre-backs Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk were giants in front of him, snuffing out the threat of the free-scoring Tammy Abraham.
Brighton themselves created few clear openings, but they didn’t need to after going two up and Murphy’s skilful running with the ball often had City stretched.