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Previous encounters (Leeds )
LEEDS - Home, Falmer Years: Prem 20/21-22/23, seasons 10-12 . . C'ship 11/12-16/17, Seasons 1-6. no league meetings in seasons between 2017 to 2020, 2023 onwards. Prem previous encounters home & away: P6 W3 D3 L0 - see Clubs in Archive. Albion V Leeds PL/EFL record @ Amex: W = 6 D = 3 L = 0 manager: Daniel Farke (2023) . experience: Prem knowledge and standing as a coach able to get promo from lev2. ground: Elland Road 37.8k . nickname: Whites . shirt: white. Prem/EFL record from 11/12: 14 13 15 15 13 7 / 13 3 1 C, 9 17 19 P, 3 C @ 4/5/24. Prem: recent best = 9th, worst = 19th . C'ship: best = 1st, worst = 19th . C'ship p-os - '19 '24, top half - '17. C21 Prem: podium '00, top four '01, top six '02, top ten '21 . stayed up '03 '22, relegated '04 '23. Albion v United (H) from 17/18: - - - 2-0 0-0 1-0 - - . . W = 2 D = 1 L = 0 . F3 A0 scorers: Gross 2 Welbeck. memorable match: Season10 (H) - perhaps Seagulls knew too much by now for aspiring Prem newcomers. note: for away Falmer Years results and reports scroll further below. Season13, (7th) (H) onwards - not Premier League Season12, 6th Premier League (H) Sat 27/8/22 - w 1-0 ~ Gross Home form last term certainly wasn't our best and maybe in Nov '21 that nil-nil here versus struggling Whites, suffering second season syndrome, was a case in point (see scroll below). Seagulls initial Prem hosting registered a victory during the previous run-in of May '21, when visitors were actually top ten, while we laboured again in the bottom six (seasons 10-11). Historically we'd done good against 'em in the C'ship, so perhaps it was time to show who really was the big club now (see C'ship scroll further below). Time only would tell. By August Albion had sold Yves Bissouma (Spurs 25m) and signed Julio Enciso from S America (10m). Deniz Undav, Kaoru Mitoma & Kacper Kozlowski also joined the squad from previously on loan at RUSG. On opening day Marc Cucurella left for Chelsea (60m) but we took Levi Colwill on loan in return. In mid August Pervis Estupinan (Villarreal 15m) signed for 4yrs. A lot of fringe players went out on loan at home & abroad, including Duffy (Fulham) & Connolly (Venezia). Clarke transferred to Middlesbro (3m) late in the transfer window. And on the night before this game Maupay moved to Everton (15m). In comparison Whites spent 91m by start of the season, with a spending spree to significantly re-shape the squad for their third Prem campaign ahead. *** match report: a single goal victory went way of home advantage and extended Albion's unbeaten run to a record 9 games - extended from last season's run in. After a goalless first half, when by law of averages either side might have converted chances, play continued unabated from end to end. Past the hour mark visitors were pressing to open scoring but it was hosts who broke stalemate. Gross completed a move down left flank to drive in an assist by Trossard (66min). The ball game then was to keep a clean sheet and this was completed via competent defending and also travellers missing the target. Potter inserted two sets of double subs to ensure balance in the side over 90+ minutes, which proved seamless alterations during final phases. He was happy, so were Brighton fans and even massed ranks of Whites support got an entertaining afternoon in the south-coast sun. Seagulls had got best of fine margins, although appreciating nothing was won in August. Didn't Micky Adams used to say that back in the day at the theatre of trees? stats: ht 0-0, goal 66, poss 43%-57%, on 4-2, off 9-8, corners 5-3, fouls 10-14, yellows 2-3, subs 5-4, shape 3421-4231 weather: sunny intervals, warm . gate: 30,953 (away 3093) . MoM: Welbeck - up, down, back, then front. team: 1 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 5 Dunk, 4 Webster, 7 March, 10 Mac Allister, 25 Caicedo, 30 Estupinan, 13 Gross, 18 Welbeck, 11 Trossard. subs: 2 Lamptey (34_ 70, 8 Mwepu (7) 70, 22 Mitoma (30) 79, 6 Colwill (11) 79, 29 van Hecke (18) 88. bench: 23 Steele, 17 Alzate, 21 Undav, 28 Ferguson injured: 15 Moder, 19 Sarmiento . squad: 14 Lallana, 20 Enciso. Prem: P4 . W1 D1 L0 . F1 A0 . W2 D0 L0 . F4 A1 . Pt10 Po3 = 2.50pt/gm . W = 75% L = 0% Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L% total: 38 . 07 10 21 . 48 78 -30 . 31 19 = 0.81 . 18.4 55.2 - S Allardyce & J Gracia 3qtrs: 29 . 07 08 14 . 38 49 -11 . 29 13 = 1.00 . 24.1 48.2 - J Gracia hfwy: 19 . 04 06 09 . 26 33 -07 . 18 15 = 0.94 . 21.0 47.3 - J Marsch start: 10 . 02 03 05 . 11 15 -04 . 09 16 = 0.90 . 20.0 40.0 - J Marsch EFL Cup: Wolves 1-0 (A) R3 . Barnsley 3-1 (H) R2. FA Cup: Fulham 2-0 (A) R5 . Accrington 1-3 (A) R4 . Cardiff 5-2 (H) 2-2 (A) R3. Oct: 15th in table, 4pts off 10th at Q1. Jan: 15th, 3pts off 14th at halfway stage Q2. Apr: 13th, 1pt above 14th at three quarters stage Q3. Manager sacked. May: 19th, 5pts below 17th at Q4. Relegated. 22/23 odds at start: top half 9-2, bottom half 1-8, rel 9-4 . sack JM 5/1 . expected to finish: in bottom six but stay up. run in from 8/4/23: Palace 1-5 (H), Liverpool 1-6 (H), Fulham 2-1 (A), Leicester 1-1 (H), Bournmouth 4-1 (A), Man City 2-1 (A), Newcastle 2-2 (H), West Ham 3-1 (A), Spurs 1-4 (H) run in forecast @ 7/4/23: 29pt > 38pts . max was 56 . Actual = 31 . Po was 13th . Actual po = 19th Season11, 5th Premier League (H) Sat 27/11/21 - D 0-0 That single visit here thus far in the PL last May by once-upon-a-time elite regulars had ended in a rare home win. Now was the time to repeat victory but at an earlier stage and increase our standing as worthy and regular Prem opponents. Potter was complicit in BHA admin reducing player numbers on books during the close season and subsequent small-scale signings. Also a whole host of fringe players were sent out on loan. The striker that Brighton fans desired hadn't come to fruition and so we went with what we'd got. In Yorkshire Marcelo Bielsa hadn't exactly splashed mucho dinero either during pre-season but topped it up to around 65m in total by August deadline. Grim northern Prem fans hoped his enhanced squad could continue where they'd left off last term. However things hadn't quite gone as well for Whites from the start, compared to our airborn blue & white reaching for the sky. It was hoped both squads were currently strong enough to compete for all points and one prevail over ninety plus minutes. Potter believed any team could beat any other on any day. * match report: Albion were held to a goalless draw after having best of possession and chances overall. The game was not without incidents, in fact was only lacking the ball crossing a goal-line on at least one occasion. Moder, Trossard & later March hit woodwork, while these and Bissouma, Maupay & later Locadia all got attempts to get names in papers. On a very cold evening the crowd warmed up vocally as chances came and went regularly. Potter was pleased with the display but at a loss to undertand hearing booing on the final whistle. It is true to say frustrations got better of some home support who vented at another fail to score stat. Seagulls soared at start of the season with 4 wins from our first 5 fixtures but now had not won in 8 subsequent matches; 2 lost & 6 draws, 3 being nil-nil. It seemed easy now to criticise lack of getting a new striker last summer, especially as side-lined Welbeck had history of picking up injuries. Potter put on subs Locadia & Sarmiento (on debuts) tonight, which a section of fans might say exceeded desperation. But apart from front men, goals do have to be scored via other out-field personnel as well and Albion's record in this category is scarce. Go to our Squad list and Archive for details. The positive from this contest is that we did keep a clean sheet; thanks mostly to Sanchez. Oh and still being a top ten club wasn't to be degraded either, seeing where we'd come from over a decade since 2011 at Withdean. Stats: ht 0-0, goals 0, poss 58%-42%, on target 4-4, off target 14-5, blocks 2-2, corners 6-1, o/s 2-1, crosses 19-11, tackles 12-27, fouls 12-14, yellows 1-3, subs 3-3, shape 4231-3331 weather: cold . gate: 31,166, away 2997 . MoM: Lamptey - quick & accurate. team: 1 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 4 Webster, 5 Dunk, 3 Cucurella, 8 Bissouma Y, 13 Gross, 2 Lamptey (20 March 76), 15 Moder (60 Sarmiento 82), 11 Trossard, 9 Maupay (27 Locadia 68) . bench: 23 Steele, 24 Duffy, 10 Mac Allister, 12 Mwepu, 14 Lallana, 30 Richards. squad: 7 Connolly, 28 Roberts, 33 Burn . injured: 17 Alzate, 18 Welbeck. Prem: P13 . W2 D3 L2 . F6 A8 . W2 D3 L1 . F6 A6 . Pt18 Po8 = 1.38pt/gm . W = 30.7% L = 23.0% Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L% Total: 38 . 09 11 18 . 42 79 -37 . 38 17 = 1.00 . 23.6 47.3 - Jesse Marsch 3qtrs: 29 . 06 08 15 . 31 65 -34 . 26 16 = 0.89 . 20.6 51.7 - J Marsch & M Bielsa Hfwy: 19 . 04 07 08 . 21 37 -16 . 19 16 = 1.00 . 21.0 42.1 Start: 10 . 02 04 04 . 10 17 -07 . 10 17 = 1.00 . 20.0 40.0 - Marcelo Bielsa EFL Cup: Arsenal 2-0 (A) R4, Fulham 5pen6 0-0 (A) R3, Crewe 3-0 (H) R2. FA Cup: West Ham 2-0 (A) R3. Oct: 17th in table and 3pts above drop zone at Q1. Jan: 15th, 1pt behind 14th at halfway Q2. Out of FA Cup. Mar: 16th, 4pts off 15th at threequarters Q3. Manager was sacked in late Feb. May: finished 17th on 38pts, 3pts off d-z. Stayed up with last day away win. Season10, 4th Premier League (H) Sat 1/5/21 - W 2-0 ~ Gross, Welbeck. Covid restrictions: no fans (post-lockdown3, Tier 3/4/5 = 0 fans, T2 = 2000, T1 = 4000). Brighton fans always got a real buzz from hosting this big Yorkshire club, right back to open-air full-house days at Withdean during those up & down noughties. At the Amex, Whites were constant seasonal C'ship visitors from the get go until Seagulls took higher flight into the Prem after six serial campaigns. Now we hosted last term's level2 champs and that old buzz was back, with all to play for once more but currently contested in the footy elite - albeit covid-restricted fans watched from afar. United had faced a tough task ahead from day1 and although their squad was enhanced, previously on-loan Ben White had returned to BHA despite bids of around 25m notes received during August '20. In the event Whites didn't need him and were currently safely dwelling in midtable. Meanwhile Albion were still struggling to get enough points to ensure safety by registering sufficient numbers once more. * match report: Albion won the match to pretty much ensure safety and qualify for that fifth season in the Prem next term. During opening phases Welbeck went down in the area and Gross sent the pen in low and hard (14min). United stayed in the game but hosts defended superbly and kept them at bay. Chances came and went, both sides racked up ok stats but the result hung in balance until late in the second half. Then Welbeck showed brilliance to control, turn and drive the ball past a stunned keeper (79min). BHA kept a clean sheet and so it was job done, among scenes of squad celebration at ninety odd minutes. Potter was relieved more than ecstatic, having put out a starting eleven who were quite capable but not consistent at scoring. Seagulls had hopped to 37pts in an up & down campaign that needed yet more points, or be regarded as disappointing compared to three previous totals of 40, 36, 41. Stats: ht 1-0, goals 14,79, poss 43%-57%, on target 5-2, off target 8-5, blocks 4-4, o/s 0-1, crosses 11-29, corners 2-9, tackles 11-17, fouls 17-6, yellows 1-1, subs 3-3, shape 3412-4141 . Weather: showers Team: 26 Sanchez, 3 White, 5 Dunk, 4 Webster, 34 Veltman, 13 Gross, 8 Bissouma (10 Mac Allister 91), 33 Burn, 9 Maupay, 11 Trossard (16 Jahanbakhsh 80), 18 Welbeck (15 Moder 90) . Bench: 23 Steele, 17 Alzate, 19 Izquierdo, 24 Propper, 29 Zeqiri. Squad: 6 Karbownik, 22 Tau . Injured: 2 Lamptey, 14 Lallana, 20 March . MoM: Dunk Prem P34 . W3 D8 L6 . F18 A19 . W5 D5 L7 . F17 A20 . Pt37 Po14 = 1.08pt/gm. Wins = 23.5%, Loss = 38.2% Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L% Total: 38 . 18 05 15 . 62 54 08 . 59 09 = 1.55 . 47.3 39.4 3qtrs: 29 . 12 03 14 . 45 47 -02 . 39 11 = 1.30 . 41.3 48.2 Hfwy: 19 . 08 02 09 . 32 35 -03 . 26 12 = 1.36 . 42.1 47.3 Start: 10 . 04 02 04 . 15 17 -02 . 14 12 = 1.40 . 40.0 40.0 - M Bielsa. EFL Cup: Hull 8pen9 (1-1) (H) R2. FA Cup: Crawley 3-0 (A) R3. Nov: after finish of the first quarter, Leeds were 12th in the Prem table. Jan: at the halfway stage Whites were still 12th in mid div. Mar: threequarters completed and up to 11th place. May: Prem tenth place secured after a super initial elite campaign. Seasons 7-9 (1st-3rd) - not Premier League. LEEDS away: Seasn . W D L . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm %Pt . W% L% 23/24 onwards - not Premier League 22/23 - 02 3 14 . 22 41 -19 . 09 19 = 0.47 29.0 . 10.5 73.6 - Sam Allardyce, Javi Gracia & Jesse Marsch 21/22 - 05 5 9 . 23 41 -18 . 20 17 = 1.05 52.6 . 26.3 47.3 - Jesse Marsch & M Bielsa. 20/21 - 10 0 9 . 34 33 01 .. 30 09 = 1.57 50.8 . 52.6 47.3 - Marcelo Bielsa. 11/12 - 19/20 not Premier League - see below Seasons 1-6. LEEDS Previous Prem: Prem points: (61, 61, 57, 56, 59, 75, 60, 83, 93 C'ship) / 59, 38, 31 - -. Sam Allardyce (2023) . Experience: old school fire fighter, street fighter and very briefly England gaffer. Javi Gracia (2023) . Experience: best known as Watford boss in the Prem for a season and a half. Also FA Cup final. Jesse Marsch (22-23) . P12 W = 33.3% @ July '22 . Experience: an American with recent coaching cv at Leipzig & Saltzburg. Marcelo Bielsa (18-22) - P140 W = 52.8% @ Aug '21 . Experience: revolutionary takes on all comers. Seasn . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L% 23/24 onwards - not Premier League 22/23 - 07 10 21 . 48 78 -30 . 31 19 = 0.81 . 18.4 55.2 - Sam Allardyce @ 28/5/23 Big Sam came in very late in the day but couldn't get them over the line. Trouble & strife from Whites support to boot. 21/22 . 09 11 18 . 42 79 -37 . 38 17 = 1.00 . 23.6 47.3 - Jesse Marsch & Marcelo Bielsa @ 22/5/22 Change of manager was unpopular but fans were grateful to see Whites get over the line on the final day. 20/21 - 18 05 15 . 62 54 08 . 59 09 = 1.55 . 47.3 39.4 - Marcelo Bielsa @ 24/5/21 A mid-table finish in a win or lose kinda campaign conducted by S American maestro Bielsa. 17/18 - 19/20 not Premier League. 11/12 - 16/17 not Premier League - see below Seasons 1-6 Championship. FA Cup: from 11/12 - R3, R5, R3, R3, R5, R4, R3, R3, R3, R3, R3, R5 EFL Cup: R3, q-f, R3, R2, R1, q-f, R4, R2, R2, R2, R4, R3 * * * * * Leeds home, Falmer years - C'ship, 11/12-16/17 . Seasons 1-6. Albion v United (H) from 11/12: 3-3, 2-2, 1-0, 2-0, 4-0, 2-0 . . W = 4 D = 2 L = 0 memorable match: Season5 (H) - plenty of C'ship goals in an evening romp. Season6 (H) Championship 9/12/16 - 2-0 ~ Murray, Hemed. Yet again this fixture was re-scheduled for an evening k-o - now on a Friday nite. In past Amex 7:45 k-o contests we'd been at least a top ten side, apart from season4 (14/15) when Chris Hughton had first arrived to salvage a failing campaign. He had next turned Seagulls into a force to be reckoned with and currently held second spot in this tough division. United also appeared to be on the up after years of mediocrity, so the match was set up as a sort of ongoing promotion chasing affair. Albion were strong at home having recorded W7 D2 L1 F20 A6 to date. With the season approaching the halfway stage on Boxing Day, there were any number of useful teams vying for a play-off place in second half of the season. There was a gap of 5pts below BHA but Reading, Leeds, Birmingham, Sheff Wed, Norwich, Huddersfield, Derby & Fulham were covered by merely 6pts down to 10th place. * match report: Albion won the contest by converting two penalties, to go top of the table. Leeds never really lived up to previous reports, albeit their support was nearly 3k at the Amex this night. They had a man sent off when he handled on the line at Dunk's header from a Knockaert corner. Murray put the ball down the middle from the spot (23min). In the second period Murphy went off injured and fit-again March joined the fray. Later Hemed replaced Murray and he took on penalty duties almost straight away. Ref decided Dunk had been knocked down at a corner and awarded a second pen (82min). Seagulls saw the time out ok and kept a clean sheet to boot. Skalak got a few moments at the death. Hughton said, 'probably the only negative is there was too big a gap between the goals. I don't think we've got to heights of last season but we are a different team. We are certainly resilient and at this moment keep clean sheets.' Brighton fans went home happy once more and had all weekend to celebrate hitting the heights - or just go to the pub Saturday afternoon instead. Stats; h-t 1-0, goals 23 & 82, poss 60%-40%, on target 7-0, off target 10-2, corners 7-1, o/s 2-1, fouls 13-12, yellows 1-3, red 0-1, subs 3-3 . Stockdale, Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Pocognoli, Knockaert (Skalak), Stephens, Norwood, Murphy (March), Baldock, Murray (Hemed) . att 28,206. Champ's P20 . W12 D6 L2 . F30 A11 . Pt42 Po1 . W = 60% L = 10% Season5 (H) 29/2/16 - 4-0 - Hemed 2, og, Dunk. It was a Monday night in winter and Sky Sports made sure Brighton fans were out in the dark once again. At least they were back at the Amex since mid month, when home form had been revived with 3 victories in a row. Prior to that there were 3 losses on the bounce at Falmer, which dented promotion hopes at the previously assumed fortress. Seagulls had been a different team to follow since a year beforehand (see below). Chris Hughton had worked some kind of magic that a big club like United would have paid mega bucks for this term. He now had the squad he wanted (well, could afford!) and merely needed consistent positive results until May to bag a p-o place or perhaps better. It was tight at top of the table and the first two had not gone clear of other auto promo contenders. If Albion could aim for max points at the Amex and average one away then a target of 80+ pts was certainly possible. Confidence was high and maybe lady luck would help during the run in too. On the night, 25k attended, including 1500 from the north. * match report: Albion won at a canter and were four up before halftime. Goals went in at 18, 22, 28 & 38 min for a comprehensive victory to keep B'ton fans happy. Hemed bagged a brace, firstly a pen after Rosenior was decked, then a strikers pop after getting defenders in knots. In between, Whites soiled their own shorts with an og following a Baldock pot shot. Lastly, Dunk rose to nod home from a set piece as visitors fell apart. In the second period Hughton left it fairly late to change things and put three subs on with fifteen & ten mins to go. He said, 'the first half was probably the best we have produced here. We have not been big goal scorers this season although have threatened. Particularly here at the Amex but we didn't have the goals to show for it. I am just as delighted with the clean sheet. At times we made it look comfortable but the team worked the game plan very well. ' Stats; poss 43%-57%, on target 5-1, off target 5-16, corners 5-8, fouls 9-14. Stockdale, Bruno, Goldson, Dunk, Rosenior, Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal (Sidwell), Murphy, Baldock (Wilson), Hemed (Skalak). Champ's P34 . W17 D12 L5 . F49 A34 . Pt63 Po4 . W = 50% L = 14.7% Season4 (H) 24/2/15 - 2-0 ~ Baldock, Calderon. Was this fixture promoted as a relegation type dog-fight of a match? Well, going into this crucial evening fixture Albion had finally scrambled above the drop zone but badly needed many more points at home. Anyway, Chris Hughton had taken over after Sami Hyypia resigned just before Xmas and was kinda doing ok to date. He had made changes in midfield and was trying to find the best starting eleven, now that most players were match-fit and the squad was relatively injury free. What he wanted was a little more consistency in performance at both ends of the pitch - Albion needed to keep clean sheets because it was not every week that strikers were finding the net! in fact the leading overall scorer was central-defender Dunk! * match report: On the night Albion put in an almost complete performance and racked up a vital victory to ease d-z worries. CMS was restored to striker in a 4213 shape with attacking intentions. Positive and fluid forward movement resulted in the breakthrough during the first half. Calderon got CMS away down the right and he centred for Baldock to tuck it home (26min). Seagulls continued to impress in the second period and on/off targets began to mount up. When Kayal went on a run, his shot was parried by the keeper but Calderon was on hand to scramble another goal(63min). The 25k crowd was seeing good entertainment and BHA pressed to increase the final score, going close on numerous occasions, hitting woodwork and having other attempts saved or blocked. Hughton introduced subs fairly late in the day to keep pressure on hapless visitors who had an off night. He said, 'the clean sheet meant a lot tonight. Probably the only negative is that we could have made it more convincing. We got into some really good areas so probably this was our best performance.' Brighton fans went to bed happy and knew if the side could repeat such displays, there wouldn't be too much worry about the drop for rest of this campaign. Stockdale, Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bennett, Kayal (Stephens), Teixeira, Ince, Calderon, Mackail-Smith (O'Grady), Baldock (LuaLua). Champ's P33 . W8 D13 L12 . F38 A42 . Pt37 Po18 . W = 24.2% L = 36.3% Season3 (H) 11/2/14 - 1-0 ~ Ulloa. This fixture got played on a Tue night because FAC4 was scheduled around the Saturday before and Albion were likely doing a knockout cup run again - see Port Vale and Hull. Form at the Amex needed to improve for p-o participation but here was an opportunity to make up lost ground on top six places. The transfer window closed at end of last month and El-Abd, Barnes & Bridcutt had all moved on. Crofts was recently long-term injured but CMS appeared to be on the way back from a very long time out. A gate of 27k showed continuing popularity for matches (v good away group) even though there were four home games on the trot. * match report: Ulloa netted past the hour mark as Albion notched a vital single goal victory (64min). The assist came from LuaLua who had just come on for the new Spanish signing Rodriguez. On stats BHA dominated but could not turn possession and on/offs into early goals scored and put the match to bed. Kuszczak was fairly untroubled, although made no mistake when called into thick of action. At one stage it appeared both defences would prevail and cancel outreal threats in the final thirds. On balance visitors relied on fast counter attacks while Seagulls build-up was a tad slow and side to side. Oscar Garcia also re-introduced Buckley (back from injury) to liven things up for the last twenty minutes. Most Brighton fans would take the one-nil and three points, rather than worry about our lack of goals scored this term. Did Garcia worry for them? Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer, Upson, Ward, Stephens, Ince, Orlandi, March (Buckley), Ulloa (Obika), Rodriguez (LuaLua). Champ's P30 . W12 D10 L8 . F32 A25 . Pt46 Po7 . W = 40% L = 26.6% Season2 (H) 3/11/12 - 2-2 ~ Mackail-Smith 2. Brighton hadn't won for six fixtures beforehand and were stuck in mid table alongside Leeds on equal points. Everybody turned up at the Amex on a Friday night hoping a poor run of form could be reversed. Lack of goal scoring was the biggest problem because when you looked at that Championship Gd column, we were actually third best in the division. All four losses to date were one-nil (2H/2A) and there were four draws too, two nil-nil (H/A) & two one-one (H/A). Another prob was central midfield couldn't bag one for toffee, or even complimentary Brighton rock. Gus was now tending to use one recognised winger in Buckley (Noone transferred), although LuaLua got dropped. Vicente was long-term injured but Crofts, Hammond, Orlandi, Bridcutt, Dicker, David and possibly Harley were all capable of notching. The three available strikers (Hoskins also l-t injured) couldn't hit an empty barn door so we were suffering a right famine. Oh dear, decisions, decisions. There were 26k at the Amex on a cold evening. * match report: Albion got off to a great start and CMS converted a spot kick down the middle after Buckley got floored (16min). Then some fancy fluid moves began to create chances but more goals were on hold. Then against run of play Ref awarded a dodgy decision to Whites, who duly equalised from the spot (37min). In the second period Seagulls took off immediately and CMS notched following good assists from Buckley and Orlandi (48min). We shoulda been home and hosed but United hung in there and made us pay for wasting other opportunities. They levelled again when their sub got his chance (66min). Before too long Ref gave us a second pen but CMS got up from the foul to see his shot saved (73min). Gus soon double subbed midfield but weren't quite a dominant force in a hectic climax. Late in this pulsating fixture GP threw in a fresh striker - no luck. All very good entertainment, although BHA once more failed to kill opponents off. Would we have to spend cash to put things right? Kuszczak, Bruno, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge, Hammond (Dicker), Bridcutt, Orlandi (Crofts), Buckley, Mackail-Smith, Barnes (Dobbie). Champ's P14 . W5 D5 L4 . F18 A11 . Pt20 Po10 . W = 35.7% L = 28.5% Season1 (H) 23/9/11 - 3-3 ~ Mackail-Smith 2, Barnes. This fixture came two nights after entertaining Liverpool in LC3. That experience had resulted in a first full house at the Amex and over 20k attended for the Championship fixture against another big club. Whites brought over 2k of travelling hordes and they were quite noisy and all. Prior to k-o all fans were united to demonstrate support for the plight of Plymouth FC. Gus Poyet was happy with his side to date and BHA had started the season in fine style, more or less carrying on from L1 displays but with a better squad. That included 2.5mill Craig Mackail-Smith and Spaniard Vicente Rodrigues from Valencia on a free. We hoped both players would make a huge contribution to continued success - especially at level two. * match report: On 18 min, pinball footy up our end saw United nick the opener when they had numbers well forward, although we were a tad unlucky to be behind. By 24 min, Albion were off the pace and Greer allowed an attacker to gain possession out wide. Bridcutt got sold a dummy and Ankergren hardly reacted as a fizzer flashed past from distance. We had to wake up and smell the caffine fix or get roasted. Gus put Vicente in m-f just after the break. Barnes then linked with MACKAIL-SMITH who turned a one-eighty and slotted home using superb strikers skills (47min). At the hour mark CM-S got brought down in the area, Ref was miles away but pointed to the spot. BARNES netted toward top corner, on balance no less than we deserved to be level. Albion dominated and Vicente put Barnes thru into the area and his low centre was between a defender and goalie. CM-S nipped in and bagged a brace in the box (84m). B'ton led and the place went absolutely ballistic on three sides. Gus put on two late subs but Albion failed to close out. Deep into stoppage time, Ankergren needlessly elected to punt up-field to his opposite number. Whites went route one with players still in our box and BHA conceded a third. Lack of basic knowhow to kill a game lost a couple of points. You couldn't make it up. Ankergren, Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Painter, Noone (Vicente), Bridcutt, Dicker, LuaLua (Hoskins), Barnes, Mackail-Smith (Vincelot). Champ's P8 . W5 D2 L1 . F14 A8 . Pt17 Po3 . W = 62.5% L = 12.5% * * * * * Withdean Era: 12 seasons from 1999 to 2011. Seasons 6 04/5, 7 05/6 - Championship . Seasons 9-11 07/8-09/10 - League One. Withdean era: Albion v Leeds 1-0, 2-1, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3 . . . W = 2 D = 0 L = 3 memorable match: Season6 (H) - yes, Seagulls would be hosting Whites at Withdean. see: Seasons 6-7, 9-11 for club & stadium info. Also Adam Virgo, Paul Reid, Gary Hart, Micky Adams & Gus Poyet.
Leeds - Away, Falmer Years: Prem 20/21-22/23, seasons 10-12 . . C'ship 11/12-16/17, seasons 1-6. Albion record @ Whites: W = 5 D = 2 L = 2 United v Albion (A) from 17/18: - - - 0-1 1-1 2-2 - - . W = 1 D = 2 L = 0 . F4 A3 scorers: Maupay Welbeck Mac Allister March. memorable match: Season11 (A) - Brighton fans liked going there and this last away game lived up to what had been a season of twists & turns. note: for home Falmer Years results & reports scroll further up. Season13, (7th) (A) onwards - not Premier League Season12, 6th Premier League (A) Sat 11/3/23 - D 2-2 ~ Mac Allister, March Yes, Brighton fans were going to Elland Road once more following Whites dramatic last day Prem survival away from Yorkshire last term. It kinda suited us because otherwise it was back to visiting chilly (by all senses) Turf Moor in Lancashire and jammed transport on that M6 hells highway up north. Seagulls record in Leeds over the last decade had been good, so there was every reason to anticipate further points coming back down south to Sussex (see C'ship away scroll below). At Prem level in Jan '21 we'd won there and in May '22 drew at very end of last term's best away campaign (seasons 10&11). And throughout C'ship years we'd a good win ratio of 2:1 versus Whites on their turf (seasons 1-6). So maybe Elland Road was lucky for us. Albion head coach now was Roberto de Zerbi and was doing good. He took BHA to Dubai for their warm-weather camp during the World Cup finals in December. By contrast Leeds flew to the Spanish costas for local friendlies. At closing of the January transfer window Whites got in 3 additions from European clubs to bolster ranks. Whether their struggling squad had previously been on the beach or not, the big northern outfit sacked the luckless manager in Feb as an ongoing relegation dogfight developed. So Albion's match-day squad & nationwide travelling support could expect a pretty hostile environment up in Yorkshire whatever the journey beforehand, reception on arriving pitchside or result afterwards. * match report: in the event it finished as another score draw, although Albion might have notched a win based on chances created. Mac Allister headed the opener from a cross by Gross and header back from Mitoma (33mins). But not long before halftime Whites countered and a pot shot went in off the bar (40mins). After turnaround visitors went in front for a second time via March, lurking to snap up any scraps from pinball in the area(61mins). De Zerbi made only two late changes, the second being for injury to Webster. Leeds retained a point at home when a quick short corner went to an opportunist who let fly from distance (78mins). So Brighton fans thought it was more of two points dropped rather than anything else. De Zerbi said of the equaliser, 'there were two balls on the pitch but we had to be more concentrated in that part of the game. We had chances to kill the game before that.' It started snowing on the final whistle just to put football snowballing things into perspective. Results don't always go as expected and perhaps winter weather forecasts are more scientific than predicting score lines over 90+ minutes. Here Albion's dominance had melted away like a snowman stood between jumpers for goalposts in the local park's kids kickabout. stats: ht 1-1, goals 40,78-33,61, poss 38%-62%, on 4-2, off 8-12, corners 4-7, fouls 12-9, yellows 1-1, subs 5-2, shape 4231-4231 weather: cold . gate: 36,471 (away 2700) . MoM: Mac Allister - getting back to form team: 23 Steele 34 Veltman 4 Webster 5 Dunk 20 Estupinan 7 March 13 Gross 10 Mac Allister 25 Caicedo 22 Mitoma 28 Ferguson . subs: 18 Welbeck 68 (28), 29 van Hecke 88 (4) bench: 1 Sanchez (gk) 6 Colwill 19 Sarmiento 20 Enciso 21 Undav 26 Ayari 40 Buonanotte injured: 2 Lamptey 14 Lallana . squad: 27 Gilmour Prem: P24 . W6 D2 L4 . F21 A11 . W5 D4 L3 . F24 A20 . Pt39 Po7 = 1.62pt/gm . W = 45.8% L = 29.1% Season11, 5th Premier League (A) Sun 15/5/22 - D 1-1 ~ Welbeck. This was our last away game of the season. And what a campaign on travels it had been - 7 wins recorded to date. Going off to Elland Road had always been something of a journey with certain expectations - retained from days of yore at lower grade. Now things were on a different level but perhaps elevated those old feelings of anticipation to greater heights for blue & white support. But Leeds were in a bind this term and up against it to retain their place in the Prem. Whites fans were hoping the slide from heights under their well-loved previous boss could somehow be halted by the unloved replacement manager. * match report: Albion went home with a point having conceded in stoppage time. Seagulls bossed the first half and went ahead when Bissouma put Welbeck thru and he did the biz in fine style (21min). But old habits of failing to score more goals when on top resurfaced and hosts stayed in the game. During the second period locals had nothing to lose but their place in the Prem and went for it big time. Visitors defended throughout and all but kept a clean sheet until the death. It was kinda last ditch stuff when a free header sneaked inside the post (90+2min). Sanchez had previously saved, parried, caught or kicked away all other attempts to level the score. Potter went to a flat back 4 after the hour mark and hoped for the best oucome. He also thought it a fair result at end of the afternoon. Brighton fans could feel it in our water that Whites would soil our clean sheet and as they say in the media; be careful what you wish for. It was the proverbial game of two halves, although parity was finally restored via stalemate. Nobody could say we were on the beach - every place in the top ten is worth many extra millions. Our dog fight wasn't another relegation scrap this term but a battle to beat other mid-table contenders to finish in top half of the table. One fixture left... Stats: ht 0-1, goals 21-92, poss 50%-50%, on target 5-6, off target 14-9, corners 8-1, o/s 1-1, fouls 16-8, yellows 3-2, subs 3-3, shape 433-3421 weather: sunny & warm . gate: 36,638 . MoM: Welbeck - top striker. team: 1 Sanchez,34 Veltman, 5 Dunk, 3 Cucurella, 20 March (4 Webster 62), 8 Bissouma, 25 Caicedo Y (14 Lallana 74), 11 Trossard (2 Lamptey Y 87), 13 Gross, 18 Welbeck, 10 Mac Allister . bench: 23 Steele (gk), 14 Lallana, 17 Alzate, 24 Duffy, 57 Offiah, 58 Ferguson. squad: 28 Roberts, 42 Leonard . injured: 12 Mwepu, 15 Moder, 60 Sarmiento. Prem: P37 . W4 D7 L7 . F16 A22 . W7 D8 L4 . F23 A21 . Pt48 Po10 = 1.29pt/gm . W = 29.7% L = 29.7% Season10, 4th Premier League (A) Sat 16/1/21 - W 0-1 ~ Maupay Covid restrictions - lockdown 3, no fans attending (Tier 3/4/5). This fixture marked the current campaign's belated halfway stage and completion of meeting each Prem opponent once by mid January. Bizzarrely United registered in last place twice on the elite club list. Firstly for being the 19th outfit met and secondly because we'd visited all others in previous PL seasons since 2017. Basis of former matches here played at C'ship standard (see scroll belw) had been ability to stay in the game and yet be sufficiently strong to go for broke. Things had now progressed to a higher grade but Albion initially marked this fixture as one from which to possibly add points to tallies latterly gained on the road. However at this stage wins were very hard to come by and victory here would almost be relief from worrying about occupying a bottom three spot. Conversely defeat just didn't bear thinking about tho. *** match report: Albion edged it in a single goal affair against lacklustre Whites. Maupay finished a super flowing move via Mac Allister & Trossard to tap into an open net (17min). Brighton controlled the first half and style of football was ok to boot. Hosts tried to get back in the game after turnaround but visitors defended from front to back and held them off. Potter put on Bissouma and later Tau, reshaping to 541 while locals dominated possession in search of an equaliser. A disciplined display throughout saw Seagulls go home with three points after registering a first win in ten matches. Potter was happy, Brighton fans relieved and when close rivals lost, BHA were in a slightly better position to face second half of this very tough campaign ahead. Stats: ht 0-1, goal 17, poss 66%-34%, on target 2-2, off target 3-3, blocks 2-2, o/s 3-0, crosses 30-15, corners 5-2, tackles 13-12, fouls 8-9, yellows 1-1, subs 3-3, shape 4141-442 . Weather: cold. Team: 26 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 4 Webster, 5 Dunk, 33 Burn, 13 Gross, 3 White, 20 March, 10 Mac Allister (8 Bissouma 62), 9 Maupay (24 Propper 81), 11 Trossard (22 Tau 76) . Bench: 31 Walton, 17 Alzate, 41 Sanders, 47 Jenks, 29 Zeqiri, 67 Khadra . Squad: 1 Ryan, 15 Moder, 19 Izquierdo, 21 Andone, 23 Steele, 30 Bernardo . Injured: 2 Lamptey, 7 Connolly, 14 Lallana, 16 Jahanbakhsh, 18 Welbeck . MoM: Dunk Prem: P19 . W0 D5 L4 . F10 A15 . W3 D3 L4 . F12 A14 . Pt17 Po16 = 0.89pt/gm. Wins = 15.7%, Loss = 42.1% Seasons 7-9 (1st-3rd) - not Premier League. LEEDS @ home: Elland Road. Seasn . W D L . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm %Pt . W% L% 23/24 onwards - not Premier League 22/23 - 5 07 7 . 26 37 -11 .. 22 19 = 1.15 70.9 . 26.3 36.8 - Sam Allardyce, Javi Gracia & Jesse Marsch 21/22 - 4 06 9 . 19 38 -19 . 18 17 = 0.94 47.3 . 21.0 47.3 - J Marsch & M Bielsa 20/21 - 8 05 6 . 28 21 07 .. 29 09 = 1.52 49.1 . 42.1 31.5 - Marcelo Bielsa. 11/12 - 19/20 not Premier League - see below Seasons 1-6. * * * * * Leeds away, Falmer years - C'ship 11/12-16/17 . Seasons 1-6. United v Albion (A) from 11/12: 1-2, 1-2, 2-1, 0-2, 1-2, 2-0 . . W = 4 D = 0 L = 2 memorable match: Season5 (A) - Albion on an unbeaten C'ship run up north. Season6 (A) Championship 18/3/17 - L 2-0. TV cameras covered this teatime kick off of top six sides. It was the last of 3 away fixtures this month prior to the international break. In the first two, Seagulls were beaten at Forest but won against Rotherham, over the space of four slightly up & down days. Then followed the only home match during March, versus Derby, which was also a victory. Chris Hughton had gotten BHA into a strong position for possible auto-promo and a lot of last term's team that won here in Oct '15 were regulars available for selection - bar Zamora, Greer & Crofts (all released 2016) and Bong (injured). Albion now had Murray & Knockaert on the books and both scored goals, which helped make the attack competitve as Baldock & Hemed were also into double figures at this latter stage of the campaign. Tomori made his starting debut in lieu of injured captain Bruno. * match report: Albion crashed to defeat again, losing for the third time in the last five fixtures. In a largely forgettable first half both teams were mindful of conceding and keeping it clean rather than going for broke. But the second period was quite different, more open and attacking end to end. United opened the scoring with a header that looped over Stockdale (63min). Hughton responded by inserting March & Akpom between 20 & 15 minutes to go. Seagulls became much more of a threat up front but failed to convert chances to equalise. With time running out Norwood got on but almost immediately BHA went 2 behind. Tomori tripped his man and Whites striker netted the spot kick (85min). Hughton said, 'a draw was a fair result in terms of chances created. The international break comes at a good time and allows us to get some of our injured players back and regroup.' Brighton fans were not too down as all the top three clubs dropped points and couldn't muster a goal between them either. So Albion remained clear of the chasing p-o group with eight games left during the run-in thru April into May - 4H & 4A. Travelling support were hoping to see at least another win on the road next month. Stats; h-t 0-0, goals 63,85, poss 50%-50%, on target 3-3, off target 5-4, blocks 3-5, corners 3-8, o/s 3-1, fouls 10-11, yellows 0-2, subs 3-3 . att 29,767. Stockdale, Tomori, Huenemeier, Dunk (capt), Rosenior, Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal (Norwood), Skalak (March), Murray, Baldock (Akpom). Champ's P38 . W23 D8 L7 . F63 A33 . Pt77 Po2 . W = 60.5% L = 18.4% Season5 (A) 17/10/15 - w 1-2 ~ March, Zamora. An odd trend had emerged to possibly contradict extending that amazing start to this season. Although table topping Albion went into this fixture unbeaten thru the first ten matches, they had not won during October for four years - a run spanning twenty games. Chris Hughton said, 'it's probably just one of those weird stats. There's no particular reason for it and I think we've got a few more games this month to put it right.' This contest came after the second of three international breaks but despite the stop-start nature of the Championship, Seagulls were remarkably consistent to date. On the day nearly 1000 away fans got to Elland Road to join a crowd of 22k. * match report: Albion maintained an unbeaten start to the season when taking all points late in the day. March opened the scoring for visitors when shooting across the keeper after Kayal neatly put him thru (14min). But Whites didn't take too long to equalise when touching on a f-k that eluded Seagulls rearguard (23min). Greer had to come off injured just before the break and by then Leeds were more than a match for Brighton. In the second period the contest drifted toward remaining level, although was quite open throughout. On the hour mark Crofts got into the action after a long time out. But United had used all 3 subs with ten minutes left and almost immediately lost a man to injury. Brighton took advantage as Zamora had just arrived and visitors pressed for a late winner. Bobby duly scored when Bong set him up to chip the keeper (89min). He said, 'we probably gave the ball away a lot more than we usually do but the spirit was good in grinding out three more points.' Hughton said, 'we had three players who came on and made an impact in the game. It is about making sure you can keep the levels up for those not playing regularly. It's a long tough season and you won't do well with 11 players.' Perhaps Albion were fortunate today but Hughton also said, 'we had to show some old fashioned qualities of digging in, being resolute and fighting through to the end... we were the side more likely to score.' In the event, that late winner allowed BHA to now go four points clear at top of the table. Onward & upward? Stats; poss LU43%-BHA57%, on target 2-6, off target 2-5, corners 3-6, o/s 2-3, f-k 9-9. Stockdale, Bruno, Greer (Huenemeier), Dunk, Bong, Rosenior (Crofts), Kayal, Stephens, March, Baldock Hemed (Zamora). Champ's P11 . W7 D4 L0 . F16 A9 . Pt25 Po1 . W = 63.6 L = 0% Season4 (A) 19/8/14 - W 0-2 ~ Teixeira, LuaLua. The transfer window was closing in less than a fortnight and Albion were in need of adding to the squad. Tony Bloom had promised to flash the cash but most supporters realised it would not be big-bucks this time around. The squad was different to previous years in the developing Falmer period and players like Bridcutt, Ulloa, Upson, Barnes & Buckley were now operating in the Prem. New boss Sami Hyypia had his own ideas for keeping the club successful and improving on past performance but so far, forecasts appeared fanciful. For better or worse, Albion were once again a work in progress. The squad had a different look and two new guys, Joao Teixeira and Danny Holla started at k-o with an evening k-o. About 400 faithful added to a crowd of 21k. * match report: Albion took an early lead when hitting the ground running from k-o. Teixeira finished well after Bruno got the ball - as Ref played on with CMS decked (5min). Seagulls dominated the first 45min, although did not get that second killer goal they deserved. In the second period the home outfit nearly got back in it but missed a sitter. Hyypia replaced Agustien on the hour mark and LuaLua got to dribble a bit. Holla, who also had done very good work, gave way to Ince 15min from time. The sub almost immediately hit a post. The points were not in the bag until LuaLua smashed home a direct f-k very late in the night (84min). BHA had been a revelation in performance and dug in at the back to keep it clean too. Sami said of the 2 new guys, 'they added the kind of quality that maybe we lacked in previous games.' He could say that again! Stockdale, Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Chicksen, Bruno, Holla (Ince),Forster-Caskey, Teixeira (Hughes), Agustien (LuaLua), Mackail-Smith. Champ's P3 . W1 D0 L2 . F2 A2 . Pt3 Po16 . W = 33.3% L = 66.6% Season3 (A) 3/8/13 - L 2-1 ~ Ulloa. Bizarrely this was the first fixture of the third Championship season (see S2 below) - after Albion failed in play-off semi-finals versus Palace. The proverbial sh!te hit the fans soon afterwards when Gus Poyet was; suspended, given a hearing, sacked (allegedly on TV) and then the old tintac got confirmed following an appeal. Meanwhile Oscar Garcia was headhunted by Tony Bloom & friends to become new Head Coach. Albion also appointed ex-Seagull Nathan Jones as his Spanish speaking assistant. BHA squad was slightly different to previously; where Vicente & Bridge had gone but Kemy Agustien signed from Swansea. Bloom wanted another top-six finish and expectations were quite high among Brighton fans for another successful season. The defection of Poyet (supposedly he wanted out) seemed to be an incident we could get over fairly quickly, although the saga would be ongoing - see you in court! * match report: Albion lost a match they should have drawn and possibly won. Margins are tight in football and it merely takes a dodgy decision or rough luck to tip the balance one way. Ulloa opened the scoring from a pinpoint cross by Bruno and hushed the 30k+ home crowd (13min). Whites hit back quickly and were level when TK got hand to but not to stop an equaliser (19min). This fixture hung in balance for long periods, although the home outfit probably bested the second half. Garcia made subs just before and after the hour mark in an attempt to shore up m-f with Agustien and attack with pace from Buckley. Very late on LuaLua was also introduced. Buckley might have snatched it for Seagulls with a late header but we got done deep in stoppage anyway. A suspect handball was missed by Ref and United had grabbed victory right at the death (90+4). It was tough to take and some. Kuszczak, Bruno, Greer, Upson, Calderon, David (Agustien), Bridcutt, Crofts, Barnes (Buckley), Ulloa, Orlandi (LuaLua). Champ's P1 . W0 D0 L1 . F1 A2 . Pt0 Po15 . W = 0% L = 100% Season2 (A) 27/4/13 - W 1-2 ~ Buckley, Ulloa. This was the last away fixture of the season and Gus wanted BHA to win it and secure a play-off place. He said, 'we want to finish it and not have it still undecided going into the final game.' Cardiff were already Champions and Hull likely runners-up, then; Watford 74pt, Brighton 69pt, Palace 67pt, Bolton 66pt, Leicester 65pt, Forest 64pt. So it was in our hands and the recent away record in reverse was; dwd lld wld dw in 2013. Gus had a pretty settled defence since New Year, including Bridcutt as rearguard shield. He tended to tinker with combinations of wingers in m-f, or without widemen in 451 using Ulloa alone up front. On the day he went with one winger using attacking 433 - fortune favoured the brave. * match report: During the game about 2k travelling fans gave good account of themselves in a gate of 24k. Excitement reached high levels when Seagulls opened the scoring and so continued vocal throughout. Buckley seized on a mistake in United's rearguard to plunder the home outfit's points (10min). Just afterwards Leeds had a man sent off for striking Barnes (13min). Albion should have gone for broke but United stayed in contention and put visitors under pressure. On re-starting after a little word from Gus, Dicker came on and Orlandi went to left back (46min). Later Vicente replaced Buckley (65min) then Bruno pulled up and Calderon subbed (68min). He got sent off within five minutes when preventing a goal-scoring opportunity (73min) and LU netted the pen. But their striker abused BHA fans and also got his marching orders. As the clock wound down Brighton exploited spaces and Orlandi provided a cross for Ulloa to head the winner (88min). Gus said, 'we are delighted to be in the play-offs.' He knew you couldn't make it up. Kuszczak, Bruno (Calderon), Greer, Upson, Painter (Dicker), David, Hammond, Orlandi, Buckley (Vicente), Ulloa, Barnes. Champ's P45 . W18 D18 L9 . F67 A43 . Pt72 Po4 . W = 40% L = 20% Season1 (A) 11/2/12 - W 1-2 ~ Mackail-Smith, Navarro. Brighton had not won at Leeds during the Withdean era, or even those early nineties before the Goldstone became kinda gory. But tides turn and no more so than on the Sussex coast, where Brighton & Hove city soccer representatives were on the up again, especially since moving to the Amex and competing in the Championship. Ambitions for both city council and club were closely linked these days and we were back on the map in more ways than one. Although the whole country faced a period of austerity, local and county councillors and MPs were keen to cash in on expansion of BHA. Albion was a meaningful employer and heavily involved in community projects too, which was recognised throughout the region and politically highlighted at Westminster. We'd come a long way from promoting the Seagulls Party as a minority voice for change. Gus Poyet rang the changes for this fixture, after increasing size of the squad prior to transfer deadline and getting several players return from injury. Brighton was in a good run of form, unbeaten in 2012 and a kick in the shirt behind play-off places. Poyet's mantra was for passing football, plus positive mental attitude and will to win. But United were a tough nut to crack, albeit not the force of recent history. * match report: The home outfit probably had better of exchanges in the first half, where Seagulls fielded an attacking variation of 451. Gus swapped one winger (right flank) for Noone at half-time and brought Vicente on just past the hour. With fifteen minutes left, CMS came off the bench. Two minutes later he duly notched from Vicente's corner (77min) to break his long goalless spell. Whites levelled almost immediately, also from a corner (79m). Energetic visitors, backed by almost 1k travelling support, upped the ante and pressed hard for a winner. Vicente fed Navarro in space and he unleashed a low drive to claim all three points at the death (90m). Gus said, 'I don't think we were outstanding. I need to find that click between the players.' Most Brighton fans who witnessed another late winner thought it was pretty damn good anyway. If this sequence continued, play-offs were possible. Brezovan, Reyes, Greer, El-Abd, Mattock, Bridcutt, Navarro, Buckley (Noone), Barnes, LuaLua (Vicente), Vokes (Mackail-Smith). Champ's P30 . W14 D6 L10 . F34 A31 . Pt48 Po8 . W = 46.6% L = 33.3% * * * * * Withdean Era: 12 seasons from 1999 to 2011. Seasons 6 04/5, 7 05/6 - Championship . Seasons 9-11 07/8-09/10 - League One. Withdean era: Leeds v Albion 1-1, 3-3, 0-0, 3-1, 1-1 . . . W = 0 D = 4 L = 1 memorable match: Season10 (A) - Murray scored but other news & views were disappointing. Noughties last there - 20/2/10 (A) League One. The final visit of five over 2 divs but no win at Elland Park in that decade. see: Seasons 6-7, 9-11 for club & stadium info. Also Guy Butters, Leon Knight & Glenn Murray.
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Previous encounters (Leeds )
LEEDS - Home, Falmer Years: Prem 20/21-22/23, seasons 10-12 . . C'ship 11/12-16/17, Seasons 1-6. no league meetings in seasons between 2017 to 2020, 2023 onwards. Prem previous encounters home & away: P6 W3 D3 L0 - see Clubs in Archive. Albion V Leeds PL/EFL record @ Amex: W = 6 D = 3 L = 0 manager: Daniel Farke (2023) . experience: Prem knowledge and standing as a coach able to get promo from lev2. ground: Elland Road 37.8k . nickname: Whites . shirt: white. Prem/EFL record from 11/12: 14 13 15 15 13 7 / 13 3 1 C, 9 17 19 P, 3 C @ 4/5/24. Prem: recent best = 9th, worst = 19th . C'ship: best = 1st, worst = 19th . C'ship p-os - '19 '24, top half - '17. C21 Prem: podium '00, top four '01, top six '02, top ten '21 . stayed up '03 '22, relegated '04 '23. Albion v United (H) from 17/18: - - - 2-0 0-0 1-0 - - . . W = 2 D = 1 L = 0 . F3 A0 scorers: Gross 2 Welbeck. memorable match: Season10 (H) - perhaps Seagulls knew too much by now for aspiring Prem newcomers. note: for away Falmer Years results and reports scroll further below. Season13, (7th) (H) onwards - not Premier League Season12, 6th Premier League (H) Sat 27/8/22 - w 1-0 ~ Gross Home form last term certainly wasn't our best and maybe in Nov '21 that nil-nil here versus struggling Whites, suffering second season syndrome, was a case in point (see scroll below). Seagulls initial Prem hosting registered a victory during the previous run-in of May '21, when visitors were actually top ten, while we laboured again in the bottom six (seasons 10-11). Historically we'd done good against 'em in the C'ship, so perhaps it was time to show who really was the big club now (see C'ship scroll further below). Time only would tell. By August Albion had sold Yves Bissouma (Spurs 25m) and signed Julio Enciso from S America (10m). Deniz Undav, Kaoru Mitoma & Kacper Kozlowski also joined the squad from previously on loan at RUSG. On opening day Marc Cucurella left for Chelsea (60m) but we took Levi Colwill on loan in return. In mid August Pervis Estupinan (Villarreal 15m) signed for 4yrs. A lot of fringe players went out on loan at home & abroad, including Duffy (Fulham) & Connolly (Venezia). Clarke transferred to Middlesbro (3m) late in the transfer window. And on the night before this game Maupay moved to Everton (15m). In comparison Whites spent 91m by start of the season, with a spending spree to significantly re-shape the squad for their third Prem campaign ahead. *** match report: a single goal victory went way of home advantage and extended Albion's unbeaten run to a record 9 games - extended from last season's run in. After a goalless first half, when by law of averages either side might have converted chances, play continued unabated from end to end. Past the hour mark visitors were pressing to open scoring but it was hosts who broke stalemate. Gross completed a move down left flank to drive in an assist by Trossard (66min). The ball game then was to keep a clean sheet and this was completed via competent defending and also travellers missing the target. Potter inserted two sets of double subs to ensure balance in the side over 90+ minutes, which proved seamless alterations during final phases. He was happy, so were Brighton fans and even massed ranks of Whites support got an entertaining afternoon in the south-coast sun. Seagulls had got best of fine margins, although appreciating nothing was won in August. Didn't Micky Adams used to say that back in the day at the theatre of trees? stats: ht 0-0, goal 66, poss 43%-57%, on 4-2, off 9-8, corners 5-3, fouls 10-14, yellows 2-3, subs 5-4, shape 3421-4231 weather: sunny intervals, warm . gate: 30,953 (away 3093) . MoM: Welbeck - up, down, back, then front. team: 1 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 5 Dunk, 4 Webster, 7 March, 10 Mac Allister, 25 Caicedo, 30 Estupinan, 13 Gross, 18 Welbeck, 11 Trossard. subs: 2 Lamptey (34_ 70, 8 Mwepu (7) 70, 22 Mitoma (30) 79, 6 Colwill (11) 79, 29 van Hecke (18) 88. bench: 23 Steele, 17 Alzate, 21 Undav, 28 Ferguson injured: 15 Moder, 19 Sarmiento . squad: 14 Lallana, 20 Enciso. Prem: P4 . W1 D1 L0 . F1 A0 . W2 D0 L0 . F4 A1 . Pt10 Po3 = 2.50pt/gm . W = 75% L = 0% Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L% total: 38 . 07 10 21 . 48 78 -30 . 31 19 = 0.81 . 18.4 55.2 - S Allardyce & J Gracia 3qtrs: 29 . 07 08 14 . 38 49 -11 . 29 13 = 1.00 . 24.1 48.2 - J Gracia hfwy: 19 . 04 06 09 . 26 33 -07 . 18 15 = 0.94 . 21.0 47.3 - J Marsch start: 10 . 02 03 05 . 11 15 -04 . 09 16 = 0.90 . 20.0 40.0 - J Marsch EFL Cup: Wolves 1-0 (A) R3 . Barnsley 3-1 (H) R2. FA Cup: Fulham 2-0 (A) R5 . Accrington 1-3 (A) R4 . Cardiff 5-2 (H) 2-2 (A) R3. Oct: 15th in table, 4pts off 10th at Q1. Jan: 15th, 3pts off 14th at halfway stage Q2. Apr: 13th, 1pt above 14th at three quarters stage Q3. Manager sacked. May: 19th, 5pts below 17th at Q4. Relegated. 22/23 odds at start: top half 9-2, bottom half 1-8, rel 9-4 . sack JM 5/1 . expected to finish: in bottom six but stay up. run in from 8/4/23: Palace 1-5 (H), Liverpool 1-6 (H), Fulham 2-1 (A), Leicester 1-1 (H), Bournmouth 4-1 (A), Man City 2-1 (A), Newcastle 2-2 (H), West Ham 3-1 (A), Spurs 1-4 (H) run in forecast @ 7/4/23: 29pt > 38pts . max was 56 . Actual = 31 . Po was 13th . Actual po = 19th Season11, 5th Premier League (H) Sat 27/11/21 - D 0-0 That single visit here thus far in the PL last May by once-upon-a-time elite regulars had ended in a rare home win. Now was the time to repeat victory but at an earlier stage and increase our standing as worthy and regular Prem opponents. Potter was complicit in BHA admin reducing player numbers on books during the close season and subsequent small-scale signings. Also a whole host of fringe players were sent out on loan. The striker that Brighton fans desired hadn't come to fruition and so we went with what we'd got. In Yorkshire Marcelo Bielsa hadn't exactly splashed mucho dinero either during pre-season but topped it up to around 65m in total by August deadline. Grim northern Prem fans hoped his enhanced squad could continue where they'd left off last term. However things hadn't quite gone as well for Whites from the start, compared to our airborn blue & white reaching for the sky. It was hoped both squads were currently strong enough to compete for all points and one prevail over ninety plus minutes. Potter believed any team could beat any other on any day. * match report: Albion were held to a goalless draw after having best of possession and chances overall. The game was not without incidents, in fact was only lacking the ball crossing a goal-line on at least one occasion. Moder, Trossard & later March hit woodwork, while these and Bissouma, Maupay & later Locadia all got attempts to get names in papers. On a very cold evening the crowd warmed up vocally as chances came and went regularly. Potter was pleased with the display but at a loss to undertand hearing booing on the final whistle. It is true to say frustrations got better of some home support who vented at another fail to score stat. Seagulls soared at start of the season with 4 wins from our first 5 fixtures but now had not won in 8 subsequent matches; 2 lost & 6 draws, 3 being nil-nil. It seemed easy now to criticise lack of getting a new striker last summer, especially as side-lined Welbeck had history of picking up injuries. Potter put on subs Locadia & Sarmiento (on debuts) tonight, which a section of fans might say exceeded desperation. But apart from front men, goals do have to be scored via other out-field personnel as well and Albion's record in this category is scarce. Go to our Squad list and Archive for details. The positive from this contest is that we did keep a clean sheet; thanks mostly to Sanchez. Oh and still being a top ten club wasn't to be degraded either, seeing where we'd come from over a decade since 2011 at Withdean. Stats: ht 0-0, goals 0, poss 58%-42%, on target 4-4, off target 14-5, blocks 2-2, corners 6-1, o/s 2-1, crosses 19-11, tackles 12-27, fouls 12-14, yellows 1-3, subs 3-3, shape 4231-3331 weather: cold . gate: 31,166, away 2997 . MoM: Lamptey - quick & accurate. team: 1 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 4 Webster, 5 Dunk, 3 Cucurella, 8 Bissouma Y, 13 Gross, 2 Lamptey (20 March 76), 15 Moder (60 Sarmiento 82), 11 Trossard, 9 Maupay (27 Locadia 68) . bench: 23 Steele, 24 Duffy, 10 Mac Allister, 12 Mwepu, 14 Lallana, 30 Richards. squad: 7 Connolly, 28 Roberts, 33 Burn . injured: 17 Alzate, 18 Welbeck. Prem: P13 . W2 D3 L2 . F6 A8 . W2 D3 L1 . F6 A6 . Pt18 Po8 = 1.38pt/gm . W = 30.7% L = 23.0% Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L% Total: 38 . 09 11 18 . 42 79 -37 . 38 17 = 1.00 . 23.6 47.3 - Jesse Marsch 3qtrs: 29 . 06 08 15 . 31 65 -34 . 26 16 = 0.89 . 20.6 51.7 - J Marsch & M Bielsa Hfwy: 19 . 04 07 08 . 21 37 -16 . 19 16 = 1.00 . 21.0 42.1 Start: 10 . 02 04 04 . 10 17 -07 . 10 17 = 1.00 . 20.0 40.0 - Marcelo Bielsa EFL Cup: Arsenal 2-0 (A) R4, Fulham 5pen6 0-0 (A) R3, Crewe 3-0 (H) R2. FA Cup: West Ham 2-0 (A) R3. Oct: 17th in table and 3pts above drop zone at Q1. Jan: 15th, 1pt behind 14th at halfway Q2. Out of FA Cup. Mar: 16th, 4pts off 15th at threequarters Q3. Manager was sacked in late Feb. May: finished 17th on 38pts, 3pts off d-z. Stayed up with last day away win. Season10, 4th Premier League (H) Sat 1/5/21 - W 2-0 ~ Gross, Welbeck. Covid restrictions: no fans (post-lockdown3, Tier 3/4/5 = 0 fans, T2 = 2000, T1 = 4000). Brighton fans always got a real buzz from hosting this big Yorkshire club, right back to open-air full-house days at Withdean during those up & down noughties. At the Amex, Whites were constant seasonal C'ship visitors from the get go until Seagulls took higher flight into the Prem after six serial campaigns. Now we hosted last term's level2 champs and that old buzz was back, with all to play for once more but currently contested in the footy elite - albeit covid-restricted fans watched from afar. United had faced a tough task ahead from day1 and although their squad was enhanced, previously on-loan Ben White had returned to BHA despite bids of around 25m notes received during August '20. In the event Whites didn't need him and were currently safely dwelling in midtable. Meanwhile Albion were still struggling to get enough points to ensure safety by registering sufficient numbers once more. * match report: Albion won the match to pretty much ensure safety and qualify for that fifth season in the Prem next term. During opening phases Welbeck went down in the area and Gross sent the pen in low and hard (14min). United stayed in the game but hosts defended superbly and kept them at bay. Chances came and went, both sides racked up ok stats but the result hung in balance until late in the second half. Then Welbeck showed brilliance to control, turn and drive the ball past a stunned keeper (79min). BHA kept a clean sheet and so it was job done, among scenes of squad celebration at ninety odd minutes. Potter was relieved more than ecstatic, having put out a starting eleven who were quite capable but not consistent at scoring. Seagulls had hopped to 37pts in an up & down campaign that needed yet more points, or be regarded as disappointing compared to three previous totals of 40, 36, 41. Stats: ht 1-0, goals 14,79, poss 43%-57%, on target 5-2, off target 8-5, blocks 4-4, o/s 0-1, crosses 11-29, corners 2-9, tackles 11-17, fouls 17-6, yellows 1-1, subs 3-3, shape 3412-4141 . Weather: showers Team: 26 Sanchez, 3 White, 5 Dunk, 4 Webster, 34 Veltman, 13 Gross, 8 Bissouma (10 Mac Allister 91), 33 Burn, 9 Maupay, 11 Trossard (16 Jahanbakhsh 80), 18 Welbeck (15 Moder 90) . Bench: 23 Steele, 17 Alzate, 19 Izquierdo, 24 Propper, 29 Zeqiri. Squad: 6 Karbownik, 22 Tau . Injured: 2 Lamptey, 14 Lallana, 20 March . MoM: Dunk Prem P34 . W3 D8 L6 . F18 A19 . W5 D5 L7 . F17 A20 . Pt37 Po14 = 1.08pt/gm. Wins = 23.5%, Loss = 38.2% Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L% Total: 38 . 18 05 15 . 62 54 08 . 59 09 = 1.55 . 47.3 39.4 3qtrs: 29 . 12 03 14 . 45 47 -02 . 39 11 = 1.30 . 41.3 48.2 Hfwy: 19 . 08 02 09 . 32 35 -03 . 26 12 = 1.36 . 42.1 47.3 Start: 10 . 04 02 04 . 15 17 -02 . 14 12 = 1.40 . 40.0 40.0 - M Bielsa. EFL Cup: Hull 8pen9 (1-1) (H) R2. FA Cup: Crawley 3-0 (A) R3. Nov: after finish of the first quarter, Leeds were 12th in the Prem table. Jan: at the halfway stage Whites were still 12th in mid div. Mar: threequarters completed and up to 11th place. May: Prem tenth place secured after a super initial elite campaign. Seasons 7-9 (1st-3rd) - not Premier League. LEEDS away: Seasn . W D L . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm %Pt . W% L% 23/24 onwards - not Premier League 22/23 - 02 3 14 . 22 41 -19 . 09 19 = 0.47 29.0 . 10.5 73.6 - Sam Allardyce, Javi Gracia & Jesse Marsch 21/22 - 05 5 9 . 23 41 -18 . 20 17 = 1.05 52.6 . 26.3 47.3 - Jesse Marsch & M Bielsa. 20/21 - 10 0 9 . 34 33 01 .. 30 09 = 1.57 50.8 . 52.6 47.3 - Marcelo Bielsa. 11/12 - 19/20 not Premier League - see below Seasons 1-6. LEEDS Previous Prem: Prem points: (61, 61, 57, 56, 59, 75, 60, 83, 93 C'ship) / 59, 38, 31 - -. Sam Allardyce (2023) . Experience: old school fire fighter, street fighter and very briefly England gaffer. Javi Gracia (2023) . Experience: best known as Watford boss in the Prem for a season and a half. Also FA Cup final. Jesse Marsch (22-23) . P12 W = 33.3% @ July '22 . Experience: an American with recent coaching cv at Leipzig & Saltzburg. Marcelo Bielsa (18-22) - P140 W = 52.8% @ Aug '21 . Experience: revolutionary takes on all comers. Seasn . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L% 23/24 onwards - not Premier League 22/23 - 07 10 21 . 48 78 -30 . 31 19 = 0.81 . 18.4 55.2 - Sam Allardyce @ 28/5/23 Big Sam came in very late in the day but couldn't get them over the line. Trouble & strife from Whites support to boot. 21/22 . 09 11 18 . 42 79 -37 . 38 17 = 1.00 . 23.6 47.3 - Jesse Marsch & Marcelo Bielsa @ 22/5/22 Change of manager was unpopular but fans were grateful to see Whites get over the line on the final day. 20/21 - 18 05 15 . 62 54 08 . 59 09 = 1.55 . 47.3 39.4 - Marcelo Bielsa @ 24/5/21 A mid-table finish in a win or lose kinda campaign conducted by S American maestro Bielsa. 17/18 - 19/20 not Premier League. 11/12 - 16/17 not Premier League - see below Seasons 1-6 Championship. FA Cup: from 11/12 - R3, R5, R3, R3, R5, R4, R3, R3, R3, R3, R3, R5 EFL Cup: R3, q-f, R3, R2, R1, q-f, R4, R2, R2, R2, R4, R3 * * * * * Leeds home, Falmer years - C'ship, 11/12-16/17 . Seasons 1-6. Albion v United (H) from 11/12: 3-3, 2-2, 1-0, 2-0, 4-0, 2-0 . . W = 4 D = 2 L = 0 memorable match: Season5 (H) - plenty of C'ship goals in an evening romp. Season6 (H) Championship 9/12/16 - 2-0 ~ Murray, Hemed. Yet again this fixture was re-scheduled for an evening k-o - now on a Friday nite. In past Amex 7:45 k-o contests we'd been at least a top ten side, apart from season4 (14/15) when Chris Hughton had first arrived to salvage a failing campaign. He had next turned Seagulls into a force to be reckoned with and currently held second spot in this tough division. United also appeared to be on the up after years of mediocrity, so the match was set up as a sort of ongoing promotion chasing affair. Albion were strong at home having recorded W7 D2 L1 F20 A6 to date. With the season approaching the halfway stage on Boxing Day, there were any number of useful teams vying for a play-off place in second half of the season. There was a gap of 5pts below BHA but Reading, Leeds, Birmingham, Sheff Wed, Norwich, Huddersfield, Derby & Fulham were covered by merely 6pts down to 10th place. * match report: Albion won the contest by converting two penalties, to go top of the table. Leeds never really lived up to previous reports, albeit their support was nearly 3k at the Amex this night. They had a man sent off when he handled on the line at Dunk's header from a Knockaert corner. Murray put the ball down the middle from the spot (23min). In the second period Murphy went off injured and fit-again March joined the fray. Later Hemed replaced Murray and he took on penalty duties almost straight away. Ref decided Dunk had been knocked down at a corner and awarded a second pen (82min). Seagulls saw the time out ok and kept a clean sheet to boot. Skalak got a few moments at the death. Hughton said, 'probably the only negative is there was too big a gap between the goals. I don't think we've got to heights of last season but we are a different team. We are certainly resilient and at this moment keep clean sheets.' Brighton fans went home happy once more and had all weekend to celebrate hitting the heights - or just go to the pub Saturday afternoon instead. Stats; h-t 1-0, goals 23 & 82, poss 60%-40%, on target 7-0, off target 10-2, corners 7-1, o/s 2-1, fouls 13-12, yellows 1-3, red 0-1, subs 3-3 . Stockdale, Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Pocognoli, Knockaert (Skalak), Stephens, Norwood, Murphy (March), Baldock, Murray (Hemed) . att 28,206. Champ's P20 . W12 D6 L2 . F30 A11 . Pt42 Po1 . W = 60% L = 10% Season5 (H) 29/2/16 - 4-0 - Hemed 2, og, Dunk. It was a Monday night in winter and Sky Sports made sure Brighton fans were out in the dark once again. At least they were back at the Amex since mid month, when home form had been revived with 3 victories in a row. Prior to that there were 3 losses on the bounce at Falmer, which dented promotion hopes at the previously assumed fortress. Seagulls had been a different team to follow since a year beforehand (see below). Chris Hughton had worked some kind of magic that a big club like United would have paid mega bucks for this term. He now had the squad he wanted (well, could afford!) and merely needed consistent positive results until May to bag a p-o place or perhaps better. It was tight at top of the table and the first two had not gone clear of other auto promo contenders. If Albion could aim for max points at the Amex and average one away then a target of 80+ pts was certainly possible. Confidence was high and maybe lady luck would help during the run in too. On the night, 25k attended, including 1500 from the north. * match report: Albion won at a canter and were four up before halftime. Goals went in at 18, 22, 28 & 38 min for a comprehensive victory to keep B'ton fans happy. Hemed bagged a brace, firstly a pen after Rosenior was decked, then a strikers pop after getting defenders in knots. In between, Whites soiled their own shorts with an og following a Baldock pot shot. Lastly, Dunk rose to nod home from a set piece as visitors fell apart. In the second period Hughton left it fairly late to change things and put three subs on with fifteen & ten mins to go. He said, 'the first half was probably the best we have produced here. We have not been big goal scorers this season although have threatened. Particularly here at the Amex but we didn't have the goals to show for it. I am just as delighted with the clean sheet. At times we made it look comfortable but the team worked the game plan very well. ' Stats; poss 43%-57%, on target 5-1, off target 5-16, corners 5-8, fouls 9-14. Stockdale, Bruno, Goldson, Dunk, Rosenior, Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal (Sidwell), Murphy, Baldock (Wilson), Hemed (Skalak). Champ's P34 . W17 D12 L5 . F49 A34 . Pt63 Po4 . W = 50% L = 14.7% Season4 (H) 24/2/15 - 2-0 ~ Baldock, Calderon. Was this fixture promoted as a relegation type dog-fight of a match? Well, going into this crucial evening fixture Albion had finally scrambled above the drop zone but badly needed many more points at home. Anyway, Chris Hughton had taken over after Sami Hyypia resigned just before Xmas and was kinda doing ok to date. He had made changes in midfield and was trying to find the best starting eleven, now that most players were match-fit and the squad was relatively injury free. What he wanted was a little more consistency in performance at both ends of the pitch - Albion needed to keep clean sheets because it was not every week that strikers were finding the net! in fact the leading overall scorer was central-defender Dunk! * match report: On the night Albion put in an almost complete performance and racked up a vital victory to ease d-z worries. CMS was restored to striker in a 4213 shape with attacking intentions. Positive and fluid forward movement resulted in the breakthrough during the first half. Calderon got CMS away down the right and he centred for Baldock to tuck it home (26min). Seagulls continued to impress in the second period and on/off targets began to mount up. When Kayal went on a run, his shot was parried by the keeper but Calderon was on hand to scramble another goal(63min). The 25k crowd was seeing good entertainment and BHA pressed to increase the final score, going close on numerous occasions, hitting woodwork and having other attempts saved or blocked. Hughton introduced subs fairly late in the day to keep pressure on hapless visitors who had an off night. He said, 'the clean sheet meant a lot tonight. Probably the only negative is that we could have made it more convincing. We got into some really good areas so probably this was our best performance.' Brighton fans went to bed happy and knew if the side could repeat such displays, there wouldn't be too much worry about the drop for rest of this campaign. Stockdale, Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bennett, Kayal (Stephens), Teixeira, Ince, Calderon, Mackail-Smith (O'Grady), Baldock (LuaLua). Champ's P33 . W8 D13 L12 . F38 A42 . Pt37 Po18 . W = 24.2% L = 36.3% Season3 (H) 11/2/14 - 1-0 ~ Ulloa. This fixture got played on a Tue night because FAC4 was scheduled around the Saturday before and Albion were likely doing a knockout cup run again - see Port Vale and Hull. Form at the Amex needed to improve for p-o participation but here was an opportunity to make up lost ground on top six places. The transfer window closed at end of last month and El-Abd, Barnes & Bridcutt had all moved on. Crofts was recently long-term injured but CMS appeared to be on the way back from a very long time out. A gate of 27k showed continuing popularity for matches (v good away group) even though there were four home games on the trot. * match report: Ulloa netted past the hour mark as Albion notched a vital single goal victory (64min). The assist came from LuaLua who had just come on for the new Spanish signing Rodriguez. On stats BHA dominated but could not turn possession and on/offs into early goals scored and put the match to bed. Kuszczak was fairly untroubled, although made no mistake when called into thick of action. At one stage it appeared both defences would prevail and cancel outreal threats in the final thirds. On balance visitors relied on fast counter attacks while Seagulls build-up was a tad slow and side to side. Oscar Garcia also re-introduced Buckley (back from injury) to liven things up for the last twenty minutes. Most Brighton fans would take the one-nil and three points, rather than worry about our lack of goals scored this term. Did Garcia worry for them? Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer, Upson, Ward, Stephens, Ince, Orlandi, March (Buckley), Ulloa (Obika), Rodriguez (LuaLua). Champ's P30 . W12 D10 L8 . F32 A25 . Pt46 Po7 . W = 40% L = 26.6% Season2 (H) 3/11/12 - 2-2 ~ Mackail-Smith 2. Brighton hadn't won for six fixtures beforehand and were stuck in mid table alongside Leeds on equal points. Everybody turned up at the Amex on a Friday night hoping a poor run of form could be reversed. Lack of goal scoring was the biggest problem because when you looked at that Championship Gd column, we were actually third best in the division. All four losses to date were one-nil (2H/2A) and there were four draws too, two nil-nil (H/A) & two one-one (H/A). Another prob was central midfield couldn't bag one for toffee, or even complimentary Brighton rock. Gus was now tending to use one recognised winger in Buckley (Noone transferred), although LuaLua got dropped. Vicente was long-term injured but Crofts, Hammond, Orlandi, Bridcutt, Dicker, David and possibly Harley were all capable of notching. The three available strikers (Hoskins also l-t injured) couldn't hit an empty barn door so we were suffering a right famine. Oh dear, decisions, decisions. There were 26k at the Amex on a cold evening. * match report: Albion got off to a great start and CMS converted a spot kick down the middle after Buckley got floored (16min). Then some fancy fluid moves began to create chances but more goals were on hold. Then against run of play Ref awarded a dodgy decision to Whites, who duly equalised from the spot (37min). In the second period Seagulls took off immediately and CMS notched following good assists from Buckley and Orlandi (48min). We shoulda been home and hosed but United hung in there and made us pay for wasting other opportunities. They levelled again when their sub got his chance (66min). Before too long Ref gave us a second pen but CMS got up from the foul to see his shot saved (73min). Gus soon double subbed midfield but weren't quite a dominant force in a hectic climax. Late in this pulsating fixture GP threw in a fresh striker - no luck. All very good entertainment, although BHA once more failed to kill opponents off. Would we have to spend cash to put things right? Kuszczak, Bruno, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge, Hammond (Dicker), Bridcutt, Orlandi (Crofts), Buckley, Mackail-Smith, Barnes (Dobbie). Champ's P14 . W5 D5 L4 . F18 A11 . Pt20 Po10 . W = 35.7% L = 28.5% Season1 (H) 23/9/11 - 3-3 ~ Mackail-Smith 2, Barnes. This fixture came two nights after entertaining Liverpool in LC3. That experience had resulted in a first full house at the Amex and over 20k attended for the Championship fixture against another big club. Whites brought over 2k of travelling hordes and they were quite noisy and all. Prior to k-o all fans were united to demonstrate support for the plight of Plymouth FC. Gus Poyet was happy with his side to date and BHA had started the season in fine style, more or less carrying on from L1 displays but with a better squad. That included 2.5mill Craig Mackail-Smith and Spaniard Vicente Rodrigues from Valencia on a free. We hoped both players would make a huge contribution to continued success - especially at level two. * match report: On 18 min, pinball footy up our end saw United nick the opener when they had numbers well forward, although we were a tad unlucky to be behind. By 24 min, Albion were off the pace and Greer allowed an attacker to gain possession out wide. Bridcutt got sold a dummy and Ankergren hardly reacted as a fizzer flashed past from distance. We had to wake up and smell the caffine fix or get roasted. Gus put Vicente in m-f just after the break. Barnes then linked with MACKAIL-SMITH who turned a one-eighty and slotted home using superb strikers skills (47min). At the hour mark CM-S got brought down in the area, Ref was miles away but pointed to the spot. BARNES netted toward top corner, on balance no less than we deserved to be level. Albion dominated and Vicente put Barnes thru into the area and his low centre was between a defender and goalie. CM-S nipped in and bagged a brace in the box (84m). B'ton led and the place went absolutely ballistic on three sides. Gus put on two late subs but Albion failed to close out. Deep into stoppage time, Ankergren needlessly elected to punt up-field to his opposite number. Whites went route one with players still in our box and BHA conceded a third. Lack of basic knowhow to kill a game lost a couple of points. You couldn't make it up. Ankergren, Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Painter, Noone (Vicente), Bridcutt, Dicker, LuaLua (Hoskins), Barnes, Mackail-Smith (Vincelot). Champ's P8 . W5 D2 L1 . F14 A8 . Pt17 Po3 . W = 62.5% L = 12.5% * * * * * Withdean Era: 12 seasons from 1999 to 2011. Seasons 6 04/5, 7 05/6 - Championship . Seasons 9-11 07/8-09/10 - League One. Withdean era: Albion v Leeds 1-0, 2-1, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3 . . . W = 2 D = 0 L = 3 memorable match: Season6 (H) - yes, Seagulls would be hosting Whites at Withdean. see: Seasons 6-7, 9-11 for club & stadium info. Also Adam Virgo, Paul Reid, Gary Hart, Micky Adams & Gus Poyet.
Leeds - Away, Falmer Years: Prem 20/21-22/23, seasons 10-12 . . C'ship 11/12-16/17, seasons 1-6. Albion record @ Whites: W = 5 D = 2 L = 2 United v Albion (A) from 17/18: - - - 0-1 1-1 2-2 - - . W = 1 D = 2 L = 0 . F4 A3 scorers: Maupay Welbeck Mac Allister March. memorable match: Season11 (A) - Brighton fans liked going there and this last away game lived up to what had been a season of twists & turns. note: for home Falmer Years results & reports scroll further up. Season13, (7th) (A) onwards - not Premier League Season12, 6th Premier League (A) Sat 11/3/23 - D 2-2 ~ Mac Allister, March Yes, Brighton fans were going to Elland Road once more following Whites dramatic last day Prem survival away from Yorkshire last term. It kinda suited us because otherwise it was back to visiting chilly (by all senses) Turf Moor in Lancashire and jammed transport on that M6 hells highway up north. Seagulls record in Leeds over the last decade had been good, so there was every reason to anticipate further points coming back down south to Sussex (see C'ship away scroll below). At Prem level in Jan '21 we'd won there and in May '22 drew at very end of last term's best away campaign (seasons 10&11). And throughout C'ship years we'd a good win ratio of 2:1 versus Whites on their turf (seasons 1-6). So maybe Elland Road was lucky for us. Albion head coach now was Roberto de Zerbi and was doing good. He took BHA to Dubai for their warm-weather camp during the World Cup finals in December. By contrast Leeds flew to the Spanish costas for local friendlies. At closing of the January transfer window Whites got in 3 additions from European clubs to bolster ranks. Whether their struggling squad had previously been on the beach or not, the big northern outfit sacked the luckless manager in Feb as an ongoing relegation dogfight developed. So Albion's match-day squad & nationwide travelling support could expect a pretty hostile environment up in Yorkshire whatever the journey beforehand, reception on arriving pitchside or result afterwards. * match report: in the event it finished as another score draw, although Albion might have notched a win based on chances created. Mac Allister headed the opener from a cross by Gross and header back from Mitoma (33mins). But not long before halftime Whites countered and a pot shot went in off the bar (40mins). After turnaround visitors went in front for a second time via March, lurking to snap up any scraps from pinball in the area(61mins). De Zerbi made only two late changes, the second being for injury to Webster. Leeds retained a point at home when a quick short corner went to an opportunist who let fly from distance (78mins). So Brighton fans thought it was more of two points dropped rather than anything else. De Zerbi said of the equaliser, 'there were two balls on the pitch but we had to be more concentrated in that part of the game. We had chances to kill the game before that.' It started snowing on the final whistle just to put football snowballing things into perspective. Results don't always go as expected and perhaps winter weather forecasts are more scientific than predicting score lines over 90+ minutes. Here Albion's dominance had melted away like a snowman stood between jumpers for goalposts in the local park's kids kickabout. stats: ht 1-1, goals 40,78-33,61, poss 38%-62%, on 4-2, off 8-12, corners 4-7, fouls 12-9, yellows 1-1, subs 5-2, shape 4231-4231 weather: cold . gate: 36,471 (away 2700) . MoM: Mac Allister - getting back to form team: 23 Steele 34 Veltman 4 Webster 5 Dunk 20 Estupinan 7 March 13 Gross 10 Mac Allister 25 Caicedo 22 Mitoma 28 Ferguson . subs: 18 Welbeck 68 (28), 29 van Hecke 88 (4) bench: 1 Sanchez (gk) 6 Colwill 19 Sarmiento 20 Enciso 21 Undav 26 Ayari 40 Buonanotte injured: 2 Lamptey 14 Lallana . squad: 27 Gilmour Prem: P24 . W6 D2 L4 . F21 A11 . W5 D4 L3 . F24 A20 . Pt39 Po7 = 1.62pt/gm . W = 45.8% L = 29.1% Season11, 5th Premier League (A) Sun 15/5/22 - D 1-1 ~ Welbeck. This was our last away game of the season. And what a campaign on travels it had been - 7 wins recorded to date. Going off to Elland Road had always been something of a journey with certain expectations - retained from days of yore at lower grade. Now things were on a different level but perhaps elevated those old feelings of anticipation to greater heights for blue & white support. But Leeds were in a bind this term and up against it to retain their place in the Prem. Whites fans were hoping the slide from heights under their well-loved previous boss could somehow be halted by the unloved replacement manager. * match report: Albion went home with a point having conceded in stoppage time. Seagulls bossed the first half and went ahead when Bissouma put Welbeck thru and he did the biz in fine style (21min). But old habits of failing to score more goals when on top resurfaced and hosts stayed in the game. During the second period locals had nothing to lose but their place in the Prem and went for it big time. Visitors defended throughout and all but kept a clean sheet until the death. It was kinda last ditch stuff when a free header sneaked inside the post (90+2min). Sanchez had previously saved, parried, caught or kicked away all other attempts to level the score. Potter went to a flat back 4 after the hour mark and hoped for the best oucome. He also thought it a fair result at end of the afternoon. Brighton fans could feel it in our water that Whites would soil our clean sheet and as they say in the media; be careful what you wish for. It was the proverbial game of two halves, although parity was finally restored via stalemate. Nobody could say we were on the beach - every place in the top ten is worth many extra millions. Our dog fight wasn't another relegation scrap this term but a battle to beat other mid-table contenders to finish in top half of the table. One fixture left... Stats: ht 0-1, goals 21-92, poss 50%-50%, on target 5-6, off target 14-9, corners 8-1, o/s 1-1, fouls 16-8, yellows 3-2, subs 3-3, shape 433-3421 weather: sunny & warm . gate: 36,638 . MoM: Welbeck - top striker. team: 1 Sanchez,34 Veltman, 5 Dunk, 3 Cucurella, 20 March (4 Webster 62), 8 Bissouma, 25 Caicedo Y (14 Lallana 74), 11 Trossard (2 Lamptey Y 87), 13 Gross, 18 Welbeck, 10 Mac Allister . bench: 23 Steele (gk), 14 Lallana, 17 Alzate, 24 Duffy, 57 Offiah, 58 Ferguson. squad: 28 Roberts, 42 Leonard . injured: 12 Mwepu, 15 Moder, 60 Sarmiento. Prem: P37 . W4 D7 L7 . F16 A22 . W7 D8 L4 . F23 A21 . Pt48 Po10 = 1.29pt/gm . W = 29.7% L = 29.7% Season10, 4th Premier League (A) Sat 16/1/21 - W 0-1 ~ Maupay Covid restrictions - lockdown 3, no fans attending (Tier 3/4/5). This fixture marked the current campaign's belated halfway stage and completion of meeting each Prem opponent once by mid January. Bizzarrely United registered in last place twice on the elite club list. Firstly for being the 19th outfit met and secondly because we'd visited all others in previous PL seasons since 2017. Basis of former matches here played at C'ship standard (see scroll belw) had been ability to stay in the game and yet be sufficiently strong to go for broke. Things had now progressed to a higher grade but Albion initially marked this fixture as one from which to possibly add points to tallies latterly gained on the road. However at this stage wins were very hard to come by and victory here would almost be relief from worrying about occupying a bottom three spot. Conversely defeat just didn't bear thinking about tho. *** match report: Albion edged it in a single goal affair against lacklustre Whites. Maupay finished a super flowing move via Mac Allister & Trossard to tap into an open net (17min). Brighton controlled the first half and style of football was ok to boot. Hosts tried to get back in the game after turnaround but visitors defended from front to back and held them off. Potter put on Bissouma and later Tau, reshaping to 541 while locals dominated possession in search of an equaliser. A disciplined display throughout saw Seagulls go home with three points after registering a first win in ten matches. Potter was happy, Brighton fans relieved and when close rivals lost, BHA were in a slightly better position to face second half of this very tough campaign ahead. Stats: ht 0-1, goal 17, poss 66%-34%, on target 2-2, off target 3-3, blocks 2-2, o/s 3-0, crosses 30-15, corners 5-2, tackles 13-12, fouls 8-9, yellows 1-1, subs 3-3, shape 4141-442 . Weather: cold. Team: 26 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 4 Webster, 5 Dunk, 33 Burn, 13 Gross, 3 White, 20 March, 10 Mac Allister (8 Bissouma 62), 9 Maupay (24 Propper 81), 11 Trossard (22 Tau 76) . Bench: 31 Walton, 17 Alzate, 41 Sanders, 47 Jenks, 29 Zeqiri, 67 Khadra . Squad: 1 Ryan, 15 Moder, 19 Izquierdo, 21 Andone, 23 Steele, 30 Bernardo . Injured: 2 Lamptey, 7 Connolly, 14 Lallana, 16 Jahanbakhsh, 18 Welbeck . MoM: Dunk Prem: P19 . W0 D5 L4 . F10 A15 . W3 D3 L4 . F12 A14 . Pt17 Po16 = 0.89pt/gm. Wins = 15.7%, Loss = 42.1% Seasons 7-9 (1st-3rd) - not Premier League. LEEDS @ home: Elland Road. Seasn . W D L . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm %Pt . W% L% 23/24 onwards - not Premier League 22/23 - 5 07 7 . 26 37 -11 .. 22 19 = 1.15 70.9 . 26.3 36.8 - Sam Allardyce, Javi Gracia & Jesse Marsch 21/22 - 4 06 9 . 19 38 -19 . 18 17 = 0.94 47.3 . 21.0 47.3 - J Marsch & M Bielsa 20/21 - 8 05 6 . 28 21 07 .. 29 09 = 1.52 49.1 . 42.1 31.5 - Marcelo Bielsa. 11/12 - 19/20 not Premier League - see below Seasons 1-6. * * * * * Leeds away, Falmer years - C'ship 11/12-16/17 . Seasons 1-6. United v Albion (A) from 11/12: 1-2, 1-2, 2-1, 0-2, 1-2, 2-0 . . W = 4 D = 0 L = 2 memorable match: Season5 (A) - Albion on an unbeaten C'ship run up north. Season6 (A) Championship 18/3/17 - L 2-0. TV cameras covered this teatime kick off of top six sides. It was the last of 3 away fixtures this month prior to the international break. In the first two, Seagulls were beaten at Forest but won against Rotherham, over the space of four slightly up & down days. Then followed the only home match during March, versus Derby, which was also a victory. Chris Hughton had gotten BHA into a strong position for possible auto-promo and a lot of last term's team that won here in Oct '15 were regulars available for selection - bar Zamora, Greer & Crofts (all released 2016) and Bong (injured). Albion now had Murray & Knockaert on the books and both scored goals, which helped make the attack competitve as Baldock & Hemed were also into double figures at this latter stage of the campaign. Tomori made his starting debut in lieu of injured captain Bruno. * match report: Albion crashed to defeat again, losing for the third time in the last five fixtures. In a largely forgettable first half both teams were mindful of conceding and keeping it clean rather than going for broke. But the second period was quite different, more open and attacking end to end. United opened the scoring with a header that looped over Stockdale (63min). Hughton responded by inserting March & Akpom between 20 & 15 minutes to go. Seagulls became much more of a threat up front but failed to convert chances to equalise. With time running out Norwood got on but almost immediately BHA went 2 behind. Tomori tripped his man and Whites striker netted the spot kick (85min). Hughton said, 'a draw was a fair result in terms of chances created. The international break comes at a good time and allows us to get some of our injured players back and regroup.' Brighton fans were not too down as all the top three clubs dropped points and couldn't muster a goal between them either. So Albion remained clear of the chasing p-o group with eight games left during the run-in thru April into May - 4H & 4A. Travelling support were hoping to see at least another win on the road next month. Stats; h-t 0-0, goals 63,85, poss 50%-50%, on target 3-3, off target 5-4, blocks 3-5, corners 3-8, o/s 3-1, fouls 10-11, yellows 0-2, subs 3-3 . att 29,767. Stockdale, Tomori, Huenemeier, Dunk (capt), Rosenior, Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal (Norwood), Skalak (March), Murray, Baldock (Akpom). Champ's P38 . W23 D8 L7 . F63 A33 . Pt77 Po2 . W = 60.5% L = 18.4% Season5 (A) 17/10/15 - w 1-2 ~ March, Zamora. An odd trend had emerged to possibly contradict extending that amazing start to this season. Although table topping Albion went into this fixture unbeaten thru the first ten matches, they had not won during October for four years - a run spanning twenty games. Chris Hughton said, 'it's probably just one of those weird stats. There's no particular reason for it and I think we've got a few more games this month to put it right.' This contest came after the second of three international breaks but despite the stop-start nature of the Championship, Seagulls were remarkably consistent to date. On the day nearly 1000 away fans got to Elland Road to join a crowd of 22k. * match report: Albion maintained an unbeaten start to the season when taking all points late in the day. March opened the scoring for visitors when shooting across the keeper after Kayal neatly put him thru (14min). But Whites didn't take too long to equalise when touching on a f-k that eluded Seagulls rearguard (23min). Greer had to come off injured just before the break and by then Leeds were more than a match for Brighton. In the second period the contest drifted toward remaining level, although was quite open throughout. On the hour mark Crofts got into the action after a long time out. But United had used all 3 subs with ten minutes left and almost immediately lost a man to injury. Brighton took advantage as Zamora had just arrived and visitors pressed for a late winner. Bobby duly scored when Bong set him up to chip the keeper (89min). He said, 'we probably gave the ball away a lot more than we usually do but the spirit was good in grinding out three more points.' Hughton said, 'we had three players who came on and made an impact in the game. It is about making sure you can keep the levels up for those not playing regularly. It's a long tough season and you won't do well with 11 players.' Perhaps Albion were fortunate today but Hughton also said, 'we had to show some old fashioned qualities of digging in, being resolute and fighting through to the end... we were the side more likely to score.' In the event, that late winner allowed BHA to now go four points clear at top of the table. Onward & upward? Stats; poss LU43%-BHA57%, on target 2-6, off target 2-5, corners 3-6, o/s 2-3, f-k 9-9. Stockdale, Bruno, Greer (Huenemeier), Dunk, Bong, Rosenior (Crofts), Kayal, Stephens, March, Baldock Hemed (Zamora). Champ's P11 . W7 D4 L0 . F16 A9 . Pt25 Po1 . W = 63.6 L = 0% Season4 (A) 19/8/14 - W 0-2 ~ Teixeira, LuaLua. The transfer window was closing in less than a fortnight and Albion were in need of adding to the squad. Tony Bloom had promised to flash the cash but most supporters realised it would not be big-bucks this time around. The squad was different to previous years in the developing Falmer period and players like Bridcutt, Ulloa, Upson, Barnes & Buckley were now operating in the Prem. New boss Sami Hyypia had his own ideas for keeping the club successful and improving on past performance but so far, forecasts appeared fanciful. For better or worse, Albion were once again a work in progress. The squad had a different look and two new guys, Joao Teixeira and Danny Holla started at k-o with an evening k-o. About 400 faithful added to a crowd of 21k. * match report: Albion took an early lead when hitting the ground running from k-o. Teixeira finished well after Bruno got the ball - as Ref played on with CMS decked (5min). Seagulls dominated the first 45min, although did not get that second killer goal they deserved. In the second period the home outfit nearly got back in it but missed a sitter. Hyypia replaced Agustien on the hour mark and LuaLua got to dribble a bit. Holla, who also had done very good work, gave way to Ince 15min from time. The sub almost immediately hit a post. The points were not in the bag until LuaLua smashed home a direct f-k very late in the night (84min). BHA had been a revelation in performance and dug in at the back to keep it clean too. Sami said of the 2 new guys, 'they added the kind of quality that maybe we lacked in previous games.' He could say that again! Stockdale, Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Chicksen, Bruno, Holla (Ince),Forster-Caskey, Teixeira (Hughes), Agustien (LuaLua), Mackail-Smith. Champ's P3 . W1 D0 L2 . F2 A2 . Pt3 Po16 . W = 33.3% L = 66.6% Season3 (A) 3/8/13 - L 2-1 ~ Ulloa. Bizarrely this was the first fixture of the third Championship season (see S2 below) - after Albion failed in play-off semi-finals versus Palace. The proverbial sh!te hit the fans soon afterwards when Gus Poyet was; suspended, given a hearing, sacked (allegedly on TV) and then the old tintac got confirmed following an appeal. Meanwhile Oscar Garcia was headhunted by Tony Bloom & friends to become new Head Coach. Albion also appointed ex-Seagull Nathan Jones as his Spanish speaking assistant. BHA squad was slightly different to previously; where Vicente & Bridge had gone but Kemy Agustien signed from Swansea. Bloom wanted another top-six finish and expectations were quite high among Brighton fans for another successful season. The defection of Poyet (supposedly he wanted out) seemed to be an incident we could get over fairly quickly, although the saga would be ongoing - see you in court! * match report: Albion lost a match they should have drawn and possibly won. Margins are tight in football and it merely takes a dodgy decision or rough luck to tip the balance one way. Ulloa opened the scoring from a pinpoint cross by Bruno and hushed the 30k+ home crowd (13min). Whites hit back quickly and were level when TK got hand to but not to stop an equaliser (19min). This fixture hung in balance for long periods, although the home outfit probably bested the second half. Garcia made subs just before and after the hour mark in an attempt to shore up m-f with Agustien and attack with pace from Buckley. Very late on LuaLua was also introduced. Buckley might have snatched it for Seagulls with a late header but we got done deep in stoppage anyway. A suspect handball was missed by Ref and United had grabbed victory right at the death (90+4). It was tough to take and some. Kuszczak, Bruno, Greer, Upson, Calderon, David (Agustien), Bridcutt, Crofts, Barnes (Buckley), Ulloa, Orlandi (LuaLua). Champ's P1 . W0 D0 L1 . F1 A2 . Pt0 Po15 . W = 0% L = 100% Season2 (A) 27/4/13 - W 1-2 ~ Buckley, Ulloa. This was the last away fixture of the season and Gus wanted BHA to win it and secure a play-off place. He said, 'we want to finish it and not have it still undecided going into the final game.' Cardiff were already Champions and Hull likely runners-up, then; Watford 74pt, Brighton 69pt, Palace 67pt, Bolton 66pt, Leicester 65pt, Forest 64pt. So it was in our hands and the recent away record in reverse was; dwd lld wld dw in 2013. Gus had a pretty settled defence since New Year, including Bridcutt as rearguard shield. He tended to tinker with combinations of wingers in m-f, or without widemen in 451 using Ulloa alone up front. On the day he went with one winger using attacking 433 - fortune favoured the brave. * match report: During the game about 2k travelling fans gave good account of themselves in a gate of 24k. Excitement reached high levels when Seagulls opened the scoring and so continued vocal throughout. Buckley seized on a mistake in United's rearguard to plunder the home outfit's points (10min). Just afterwards Leeds had a man sent off for striking Barnes (13min). Albion should have gone for broke but United stayed in contention and put visitors under pressure. On re-starting after a little word from Gus, Dicker came on and Orlandi went to left back (46min). Later Vicente replaced Buckley (65min) then Bruno pulled up and Calderon subbed (68min). He got sent off within five minutes when preventing a goal-scoring opportunity (73min) and LU netted the pen. But their striker abused BHA fans and also got his marching orders. As the clock wound down Brighton exploited spaces and Orlandi provided a cross for Ulloa to head the winner (88min). Gus said, 'we are delighted to be in the play-offs.' He knew you couldn't make it up. Kuszczak, Bruno (Calderon), Greer, Upson, Painter (Dicker), David, Hammond, Orlandi, Buckley (Vicente), Ulloa, Barnes. Champ's P45 . W18 D18 L9 . F67 A43 . Pt72 Po4 . W = 40% L = 20% Season1 (A) 11/2/12 - W 1-2 ~ Mackail-Smith, Navarro. Brighton had not won at Leeds during the Withdean era, or even those early nineties before the Goldstone became kinda gory. But tides turn and no more so than on the Sussex coast, where Brighton & Hove city soccer representatives were on the up again, especially since moving to the Amex and competing in the Championship. Ambitions for both city council and club were closely linked these days and we were back on the map in more ways than one. Although the whole country faced a period of austerity, local and county councillors and MPs were keen to cash in on expansion of BHA. Albion was a meaningful employer and heavily involved in community projects too, which was recognised throughout the region and politically highlighted at Westminster. We'd come a long way from promoting the Seagulls Party as a minority voice for change. Gus Poyet rang the changes for this fixture, after increasing size of the squad prior to transfer deadline and getting several players return from injury. Brighton was in a good run of form, unbeaten in 2012 and a kick in the shirt behind play-off places. Poyet's mantra was for passing football, plus positive mental attitude and will to win. But United were a tough nut to crack, albeit not the force of recent history. * match report: The home outfit probably had better of exchanges in the first half, where Seagulls fielded an attacking variation of 451. Gus swapped one winger (right flank) for Noone at half-time and brought Vicente on just past the hour. With fifteen minutes left, CMS came off the bench. Two minutes later he duly notched from Vicente's corner (77min) to break his long goalless spell. Whites levelled almost immediately, also from a corner (79m). Energetic visitors, backed by almost 1k travelling support, upped the ante and pressed hard for a winner. Vicente fed Navarro in space and he unleashed a low drive to claim all three points at the death (90m). Gus said, 'I don't think we were outstanding. I need to find that click between the players.' Most Brighton fans who witnessed another late winner thought it was pretty damn good anyway. If this sequence continued, play-offs were possible. Brezovan, Reyes, Greer, El-Abd, Mattock, Bridcutt, Navarro, Buckley (Noone), Barnes, LuaLua (Vicente), Vokes (Mackail-Smith). Champ's P30 . W14 D6 L10 . F34 A31 . Pt48 Po8 . W = 46.6% L = 33.3% * * * * * Withdean Era: 12 seasons from 1999 to 2011. Seasons 6 04/5, 7 05/6 - Championship . Seasons 9-11 07/8-09/10 - League One. Withdean era: Leeds v Albion 1-1, 3-3, 0-0, 3-1, 1-1 . . . W = 0 D = 4 L = 1 memorable match: Season10 (A) - Murray scored but other news & views were disappointing. Noughties last there - 20/2/10 (A) League One. The final visit of five over 2 divs but no win at Elland Park in that decade. see: Seasons 6-7, 9-11 for club & stadium info. Also Guy Butters, Leon Knight & Glenn Murray.
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