Delight for Duffy at long last as Seagulls fly high

SHANE DUFFY’S loan spell at Celtic last season ended in ignominy but the Irishman is flying high again with the Seagulls after helping Brighton to a 2-0 win over Watford yesterday.

The centre-back netted with a magnificent header to open the scoring at the AMEX Stadium as Brighton swept aside the newly-promoted Hornets.

Graham Potter’s men started brightly and Pascal Gross’s corner was bulleted in off the bar by Duffy from 12 yards out in the 10th minute.

It was his first Premier League goal since November 2019 and put Brighton in the driving seat, with the defender a popular scorer after a testing 18 months.

The 29-year-old spent last term at Parkhead after making just 12 starts in two years under boss Potter at Brighton. But the death of his father and other off-field issues led to an error-strewn stint in Scotland, and Duffy did not start for Celtic after February.

Duffy returned to Brighton in the close season expecting to head out on loan again, only for his Seagulls status to turn on its head.

Ben White’s £50million move to Arsenal and injuries to Dan Burn, Adam Webster and Lewis Dunk opened the door — and the Irishman has positively booted through the frame with his sparkling form.

Duffy might have impressed in last weekend’s 2-1 win at Burnley, but his towering header here cemented his hard-earned return to form.

This was a cruise for the Seagulls and Neal Maupay ended the contest on 41 minutes after Yves Bissouma won possession just outside Watford’s box.

The midfielder slipped in Maupay, who applied the cool finish.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa beat visitors Newcastle 2-0. The hosts took the lead in first-half stoppage time when new signing Danny Ings found the back of the net with a brilliant overhead kick.

Magpies boss Steve Bruce said he did not think anyone ‘in the ground thought that was handball’ when Tyrone Mings’ header hit Jamaal Lascelles’ arm for Anwar El Ghazi to double Villa’s lead with a 62nd-minute penalty.

Brentford built on their opening-day victory over Arsenal with a creditable 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Bees had the best of the few chances and boss Thomas Frank said: ‘I am enjoying it. I hope it will continue. It is a fantastic stage to be at and performing on.

‘I am really pleased and proud of how the boys presented themselves on the pitch.’