Murray at double to keep Seagulls flying
OFTEN derided as being below Premier League class, Glenn Murray has clearly taken it upon himself to set the record straight.
The striker who managed a mere 11 goals in four top-flight campaigns for Crystal Palace and Bournemouth earlier in his career has now scored 10 this season alone.
Murray’s two goals here could well prove crucial in ensuring Brighton get another crack at the big time next season, while shunting Swansea precariously close to the Championship.
The 34-year-old has hit form at just the right moment, his fifth goal in five outings in all competitions a major contributory factor in Brighton’s six-game unbeaten run.
Indeed, in terms of English goalscorers in the Premier League this season, only Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jamie Vardy have more goals than Murray, just in case Gareth Southgate wants an auxiliary striker for the World Cup this summer.
Chris Hughton praised Murray’s recent hot streak. ‘For a side like us that you know are going to find it difficult in the Premier League, that is some achievement,’ he said
‘He has been very good with his goals and what he is putting in for the team which, for a team like us, is as important as the goals.’
Anthony Knockaert added Brighton’s third and the £14million January signing, Jurgen Locadia, rounded things off with a late Premier League debut goal after Lewis Dunk’s deflection of Tammy Abraham’s shot offered Swansea a glimmer of hope.
The victory lifted Brighton to 12th place in the table though the four points that separate them from the relegation zone can hardly be considered a comfortable margin as they have many of the big hitters still to play.
Still, it’s a better position than Swansea, back below the safety line after their recent upturn in fortunes under Carlos Carvalhal came to a grinding halt.
Their manager gambled by throwing on attacking threats in the form of Andre Ayew, Luciano Narsingh and Abraham, but they lacked invention going forward and deserved everything they got.
‘We did a big bet today and we lost that bet,’ said Carvalhal of his attacking gambles. ‘We knew the high threat in these moments — you can win a lot of money or lose a lot of money.’
Brighton were awarded a penalty when Murray brushed aside Mike van der Hoorn before being clipped by the Dutchman as he prepared to shoot. Murray’s penalty was crisp and straight down the middle.
Dunk headed against the crossbar just before the break, but Swansea threatened when Jordan Ayew cannoned a shot off a post and Ki Sung-yueng forced Mathew Ryan into a full-stretch save.
Murray had a goal disallowed but he did eventually double the lead, firing home from close range after lovely build-up work by Pascal Gross and Jose Izquierdo. Gross then played a superb through pass to spring Knockaert and the Frenchman made no mistake to put his side 3-0 ahead.
Though Abraham’s long-range shot somehow found a way in off Dunk, Swansea were well beaten by the time Locadia turned home a Dale Stephens shot in the final minute.