Chris Hughton launched his Albion reign with a 2-0 victory at Brentford in the FA Cup.
The Seagulls rode their luck in the first half as goalkeeper David Stockdale made fine saves for deny Jota and Jon Toral.
The second half was a far more even affair and late goals from Lewis Dunk and Chris O’Grady saw them book a place in the fourth round.
Albion were totally outplayed in the first half and were indebted to goalkeeper David Stockdale for keeping the score goalless at the interval.
Stockdale was called into action inside two minutes when he saved from Jota from point-blank range with Andre Gray somehow firing the rebound across the face of goal.
It was all one-way traffic in the opening 35 minutes and Stockdale had to react quickly to keep out a close-range effort from Jon Toral after a tricky run from Jota down the right.
Gordon Greer, Sam Baldock and Joao Teixeira all received yellow cards as Albion struggled to cope with Brentford’s slick passing football.
But despite all their possession the Bees were unable to carve out any further clear-cut opportunities and Albion began to offer more of a threat going forward approaching the interval.
The second half began in lively fashion with both sides going close to breaking the deadlock.
Solly March tested Jack Bonham for the first real time in the game after being set up by some good work by Craig Mackail-Smith while at the other end Andre Gray could have scored a hat-trick.
The Bees striker scuffed a shot from 12 yards after Stockdale had pushed a cross into his path and then put two free headers wide when well placed.
March looked like he had put the Seagulls in front in the 68th minute when his 20-yard effort slipped through Bonham’s hands but the ball span inches wide of a post.
Hughton brought on Greg Halford and O’Grady for Mackail-Smith and Joao Teixeira and O’Grady very nearly won it for Albion. The former Barnsley striker was set up by Sam Baldock who won the ball out wide but his shot came back off the foot of a post.
It looked like the two sides would have to do it all again at the Amex until Dunk rose highest to head home a long free kick from March with two minutes to go.
O’Grady put the icing on the cake for Albion with his first goal since joining the club in the summer. He latched on to a through ball from Danny Holla and showed great composure to turn inside and send Bonham the wrong way.
Original article
The Seagulls rode their luck in the first half as goalkeeper David Stockdale made fine saves for deny Jota and Jon Toral.
The second half was a far more even affair and late goals from Lewis Dunk and Chris O’Grady saw them book a place in the fourth round.
Albion were totally outplayed in the first half and were indebted to goalkeeper David Stockdale for keeping the score goalless at the interval.
Stockdale was called into action inside two minutes when he saved from Jota from point-blank range with Andre Gray somehow firing the rebound across the face of goal.
It was all one-way traffic in the opening 35 minutes and Stockdale had to react quickly to keep out a close-range effort from Jon Toral after a tricky run from Jota down the right.
Gordon Greer, Sam Baldock and Joao Teixeira all received yellow cards as Albion struggled to cope with Brentford’s slick passing football.
But despite all their possession the Bees were unable to carve out any further clear-cut opportunities and Albion began to offer more of a threat going forward approaching the interval.
The second half began in lively fashion with both sides going close to breaking the deadlock.
Solly March tested Jack Bonham for the first real time in the game after being set up by some good work by Craig Mackail-Smith while at the other end Andre Gray could have scored a hat-trick.
The Bees striker scuffed a shot from 12 yards after Stockdale had pushed a cross into his path and then put two free headers wide when well placed.
March looked like he had put the Seagulls in front in the 68th minute when his 20-yard effort slipped through Bonham’s hands but the ball span inches wide of a post.
Hughton brought on Greg Halford and O’Grady for Mackail-Smith and Joao Teixeira and O’Grady very nearly won it for Albion. The former Barnsley striker was set up by Sam Baldock who won the ball out wide but his shot came back off the foot of a post.
It looked like the two sides would have to do it all again at the Amex until Dunk rose highest to head home a long free kick from March with two minutes to go.
O’Grady put the icing on the cake for Albion with his first goal since joining the club in the summer. He latched on to a through ball from Danny Holla and showed great composure to turn inside and send Bonham the wrong way.
Original article