Upson scored the winner at the Riverside earlier this season
Image by: Paul Hazlewood
PUBLISHED
15:38 13th June 2014
by James Hilsum
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Brighton & Hove Albion began the hectic festive period by hosting bottom club, Barnsley and league leaders, Leicester City.The Seagulls suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to the Tykes thanks to strikes from Paddy McCourt and Jacob Mellis.
Matthew Upson scored what proved to be a consolation goal just past the hour mark, as the basement club left the Amex with all three points.
Albion had contrasting emotions just four days later, when high-flying Leicester City were beaten 3-1 after a brace from Ashley Barnes and a strike from Cardiff loanee, Craig Conway.Barnes broke the deadlock in the ninth minute after tapping home a David Lopez cross from close range, before Conway showed great composure to slot the ball past Kasper Schmeichel to make it 2-0.
Andy King halved the deficit in the 64th minute, when he latched on to Anthony Knockaert’s free-kick with a diving header past Peter Brezovan.
But Barnes made sure of the points from the spot, after Wes Morgan was adjudged to have brought down the forward inside the box.
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Up next was the long trip north to Teesside to face Middlesbrough. In a game of few chances, Albion were heading for a goalless draw until Upson’s header beat Shay Given and sealed all three points.Barnes had the best opportunities to break the deadlock, firing wide from Kemy Agustien’s back-heeled pass before seeing a ball come off his knee and go over the bar.
The feeling of frustration continued on Boxing Day, when Albion were beaten by strugglers Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Leo Ulloa gave Albion the lead in the 22nd minute, but the Addicks hit back with a brace from Lawrie Wilson either side of half-time and a goal from Yann Kermorgant in the 75th minute. Ulloa struck again in stoppage time, but the south Londoners held on for victory.
But the month ended on a positive note, as the Seagulls secured their first win at Bloomfield Road since 2000 with a 1-0 victory over Blackpool.
Inigo Calderon scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute, after getting the better of two Tangerine defenders and sending the ball past Matt Gilks to keep Albion within reach of the play-off places.
The Seagulls’ run of consecutive victories was ended when Huddersfield left Amex with a point on a frustrating day for Oscar Garcia’s side.Barnes had the best opportunities to break the deadlock, firing wide from Kemy Agustien’s back-heeled pass before seeing a ball come off his knee and go over the bar.
The feeling of frustration continued on Boxing Day, when Albion were beaten by strugglers Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Leo Ulloa gave Albion the lead in the 22nd minute, but the Addicks hit back with a brace from Lawrie Wilson either side of half-time and a goal from Yann Kermorgant in the 75th minute. Ulloa struck again in stoppage time, but the south Londoners held on for victory.
But the month ended on a positive note, as the Seagulls secured their first win at Bloomfield Road since 2000 with a 1-0 victory over Blackpool.
Inigo Calderon scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute, after getting the better of two Tangerine defenders and sending the ball past Matt Gilks to keep Albion within reach of the play-off places.
Original article