A*classy finish from James Wilson lifted Albion in the automatic promotion places in the Championship.
The recalled Manchester United loanee struck in the first half to secure a 1-0 win at home to Reading.
With Hull only drawing 1-1 at home to Nottingham Forest, the Seagulls climbed to second in the table with nine games to play.
It was also a fifth clean sheet in a row for Albion, the first time they have achieved that since May 2004.
Chris Hughton made two changes for the game, recalling Beram Kayal and Wilson for Steve Sidwell and Tomer Hemed who dropped to the bench.
There was an early scare for the hosts as Matej Vydra, so often a thorn in Albion’s side, held up the ball well and Hal Robson-Kanu’s low shot went inches wide of the far post.
Albion could have taken the lead in the 17th minute but they were denied by former loanee goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi. Lewis Dunk’s powerful header forward was latched on to by Sam Baldock, he fed Dale Stephens who burst into the box and unleashed a shot which the Royals keeper saved with his legs.
The breakthrough came with a well-worked goal on 25 minutes. Jamie Murphy fed Baldock who did tremendously well to keep control, work from right to left before teeing up Wilson for a precise left-footed strike into the far corner.
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There was another scare for Albion on 34 minutes and again Vydra was at the heart of it. His 20-yard strike bounced off the chest of David Stockdale but Michael Hector, once of Horsham and now back at Reading on loan from Chelsea, put the rebound over the bar.
Hughton’s side were in control but needed a second goal.
Baldock had a chance to get it on 57 minutes but he fired high over the bar after Anthony Knockaert burst into the box and pulled the ball back to him.
The hard-working Baldock was involved again on 62 minutes when Albion threatened again. Stephens led a fast break before feeding Baldock whose pass released Murphy into the area but he pulled his shot wide of the far post.
Hughton responded to a spell of Reading pressure by introducing Kazenga LuaLua and the returning Gaetan Bong.
Ola John fluffed a good chance for the Royals as the home side rode their luck.
At the other end Connor Goldson had a header cleared off the line.
It was a nervy finish but they held on and the win was enough to lift them up to second.
Albion: Stockdale; Bruno, Goldson, Dunk, Rosenior; Knockaert (sub LuaLua 79), Stephens, Kayal, Murphy (sub Bong 79); Wilson, Baldock (sub Sidwell 88). Subs not used: Greer, Skalak, Hemed, Maenpaa.
Reading: Al-Habsi; Gunter, McShane, Ferdinand, Obita; Robson-Kanu, Williams, Hector, John (sub Rakels 81); Vydra (sub McCleary 4), Kermorgant. Subs not used: Taylor, Norwood, Quinn, Cox, Bond.
Original article
The recalled Manchester United loanee struck in the first half to secure a 1-0 win at home to Reading.
With Hull only drawing 1-1 at home to Nottingham Forest, the Seagulls climbed to second in the table with nine games to play.
It was also a fifth clean sheet in a row for Albion, the first time they have achieved that since May 2004.
Chris Hughton made two changes for the game, recalling Beram Kayal and Wilson for Steve Sidwell and Tomer Hemed who dropped to the bench.
There was an early scare for the hosts as Matej Vydra, so often a thorn in Albion’s side, held up the ball well and Hal Robson-Kanu’s low shot went inches wide of the far post.
Albion could have taken the lead in the 17th minute but they were denied by former loanee goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi. Lewis Dunk’s powerful header forward was latched on to by Sam Baldock, he fed Dale Stephens who burst into the box and unleashed a shot which the Royals keeper saved with his legs.
The breakthrough came with a well-worked goal on 25 minutes. Jamie Murphy fed Baldock who did tremendously well to keep control, work from right to left before teeing up Wilson for a precise left-footed strike into the far corner.
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There was another scare for Albion on 34 minutes and again Vydra was at the heart of it. His 20-yard strike bounced off the chest of David Stockdale but Michael Hector, once of Horsham and now back at Reading on loan from Chelsea, put the rebound over the bar.
Hughton’s side were in control but needed a second goal.
Baldock had a chance to get it on 57 minutes but he fired high over the bar after Anthony Knockaert burst into the box and pulled the ball back to him.
The hard-working Baldock was involved again on 62 minutes when Albion threatened again. Stephens led a fast break before feeding Baldock whose pass released Murphy into the area but he pulled his shot wide of the far post.
Hughton responded to a spell of Reading pressure by introducing Kazenga LuaLua and the returning Gaetan Bong.
Ola John fluffed a good chance for the Royals as the home side rode their luck.
At the other end Connor Goldson had a header cleared off the line.
It was a nervy finish but they held on and the win was enough to lift them up to second.
Albion: Stockdale; Bruno, Goldson, Dunk, Rosenior; Knockaert (sub LuaLua 79), Stephens, Kayal, Murphy (sub Bong 79); Wilson, Baldock (sub Sidwell 88). Subs not used: Greer, Skalak, Hemed, Maenpaa.
Reading: Al-Habsi; Gunter, McShane, Ferdinand, Obita; Robson-Kanu, Williams, Hector, John (sub Rakels 81); Vydra (sub McCleary 4), Kermorgant. Subs not used: Taylor, Norwood, Quinn, Cox, Bond.
Original article