Leicester - Away, Falmer Years
Manager - Brendan Rodgers (2019)
Record to Aug '19: P10 W5 D2 L3. Wins = 50%
LEICESTER PREM record from 11/12 to 18/19; (9, 6, 1 @ Champ's), 14, 1, 12, 9, 9. Best finish = 1st (2nd sesn), Worst finish = 14th,
Ave finish = 8th.
C21; Ave = 11th (9yrs), TITLE - 1 time, Top ten - 4 times, Relegated - 2 times from 9yrs. King Power Ave Gate; 31.8K, Cap; 32.5K
RECENT managers; Brendan Rodgers (2019), Claude Puel (2017-19), Craig Shakespeare (2017), Claudio Ranieri (2015-17),
Nigel Pearson (2011-15)
PODIUM; 15/16 - Leicester, Arsenal, Spurs.

FOXES FANS Expectations - given a fair wind behind them, to be a steady top eight outfit at very least.
Odds @ start: title 250/1, top four 16/1, top six 4/1, top ten 4-9, top midlands 11-10, BR first for sack 20/1

LEICESTER @ HOME;
19/20 - P4 W3 D1 L0 F10 A2 GD+8 Pt10 Po4 = 2.50pt/gm or 71.4% of total points. Wins = 75%, Loss = 0%
18/19 - P19 W8 D3 L8 F24 A20 GD+4 Pt27 Po9 = 1.42pt/gm or 51.9% of total points. Wins = 42.1%, Loss = 42.1% - Brendan Rodgers &
Claude Puel.
17/18 - P19 W7 D6 L6 F25 A22 GD+3 Pt27 Po9 = 1.42pt/gm or 57.4% of total points. Wins = 36.8%, Loss = 31.5% - Craig Shakespeare &
Claude Puel.
16/17 - P19 W10 D4 L5 F31 A25 GD+6 Pt34 Po12 (Po8 home) = 1.78pt/gm or 77.2% of total points. Home wins = 52.6% - Claudio Ranieri &
Craig Shakespeare.
15/16 - P19 W12 D6 L1 F35 A18 GD+17 Pt42 Po1 = 2.21pt/gm or 51.8% of total points. Wins = 63.1% - Claudio Ranieri.
14/15 - P19 W7 D5 L7 F28 A22 GD+6 Pt26 Po14 = 1.36pt/gm or 63.4% of total points. Wins = 36.8% - Nigel Pearson.
13/14 - not Premier League - see below Season3

Season9 Premier League (A) Sat 21/3/20 -
Brighton fans were fairly used to visiting the King Power stad, especially since regaining Championship status, when beginning new life based at Falmer. Previously we'd also travelled there during the Withdean era for 2 of our 3 years also at level2 thru the noughties. And even once when struggling in League One. Now it was the big time but still all to play for.

stats: shape, ht, goals, poss %-%, on target, off target, corners, fouls, yellows, subs. MoM - . Gate - . Weather - .
1Ryan, subs - 27 Button,
Prem P . W D L . F A . W D L . F A . Pt Po = pt/gm. Wins = %, Loss = %

Leicester:
Start: P8 W4 D2 L2 F14 A7 GD+7 Pt14 Po4 = 1.75pt/gm. Wins = 50%, Loss = 25%
EFL Cup: 4th rnd - Burton (A), 3rd rnd - Luton 0-4 (A), 2nd rnd - Newcastle 2pen4 1-1 (A)
FA Cup:
Aug: broke into top three and as yet unbeaten in all comps to boot.
Oct:
New Year:
March:

Season8 Premier League (A) Tuesday 26/2/19 - L 2-1 Propper
Albion had been hopeless on the road this season, suffering usual defeats at top-six outfits as anticipated but also bad losses at Prem strugglers Cardiff 2-1, Burnley 1-0 and Fulham 4-2. It was just not good enough to ensure survival once again, which therefore very much put onus back onto achieving winning home form in lieu. Original optimism from late summer & early autumn travels quickly evaporated in bleak mid-winter as reverses racked up a string of zero points from visits going north or west. Chris Hughton was phlegmatic as ever but seething inside, knowing another beating was not stopping the rot that took hold and set in from last November. At least the squad knew what they had to do here, having been given a nice few days trip to much warmer climes for some r&r, lick wounds and get a tan. And it had also been a blank Saturday beforehand, due to scheduled Chelsea contesting the EFL Cup final on Sunday instead. In fact other PL weekend results now put us in 16th place, 3pts above the cut-off line, albeit with that aforementioned top-six game in hand.
Guess what? Yeah, you couldn't make it up. City signed a new manager on the night and they got the win to boot. Albion were caught napping from the word go and conceded quickly (10min). From then on they were chasing the game and playing catch up. Early in the second half Murray missed a sitter and Gross went off injured. Hosts scored again around the hour mark and it was all over bar the shouting (63min). Propper notched his first goal for BHA but it was merely a consolation on another road trip for nowt (66min). At the death Duffy went up front with Murray & sub Locadia, while Izquierdo got a few minutes too after coming back from long injury. Seagulls wore green on this sick evening out and Brighton fans felt a bit off colour too following yet another huge let down away from home. Hughton said, 'we had similar amounts of possession and shots, which is good for a team away from home but in the moments that mattered, they put two away and we only one.' As the old saying goes, you're only as good as your last result - and this one cemented Albion in a dog fight to not be dragged tamely into the drop zone.
Stats; ht 1-0, goals 10,63-66, shape 433-451, poss 49%-51%, on target 3-3, off target 16-12, corners 4-8, fouls 6-4, yellows 1-1, subs 3-3. Gate 30,558, away 1238. Weather - mild & dy. MoM - Knockaert
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya Y23, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens (19 Izquierdo 81), 13 Gross (8 Bissouma 51), 24 Propper, 20 March (9 Locadia 67), 17 Murray. Subs - 27 Button, 30 Bernardo, 33 Burn, 16 Jahanbakhsh.
Prem P27 . W5 D4 L4 F16 A15 . W2 D2 L10 F13 A26 . Pt27 Po16 = 1.00pt/gm. Wins = 25.9%, Loss = 51.8%

Total; P38 W15 D7 L16 F51 A48 GD+3 Pt52 Po9 = 1.36pt/gm. Wins = 39.4%, Loss = 42.1% - B Rodgers
3qtrs; P29 W10 D5 L14 F35 A41 GD-6 Pt35 Po11 = 1.20pt/gm. Wins = 34.4%, Loss = 48.2%
Hlfwy; P19 W8 D4 L7 F24 A22 GD+2 Pt28 Po7 = 1.47pt/gm. Wins = 42.1%, Loss = 36.8%
Start; P10 W4 D1 L5 F16 A16 GD0 Pt13 Po12 = 1.30pt/gm. Wins = 40%, Loss = 50% - C Puel.
EFL CUP; q-f - Man City 1-3 pens 1-1 (H), 4th rnd - So'ton 6-5 pens 0-0 (H), 3rd rnd - Wolves 1-3 pens 0-0 (A), 2nd rnd north - Fleetwood 4-0 (H).
FA CUP; 3rd rnd - Newport 2-1 (A).
CP record; to Aug 18 - P35 W13 D10 L12 Wins = 37.1%
Aug; further progress isn't a given based on last term's league & cups results. Is this team actually better?
October; in middle order with polarised results. Still in EL Cup on pens.
New Year; chasing top six, albeit more than a little off the pace set. Out of FA Cup to L2 outfit.
March; new manager and within reach of attaining 7th by May.

Season7 Premier League (A) 19/8/17 - L 2-0
On a summer Saturday, Albion went to the King Power stadium for this very first away match played in the new Premier League campaign. Brighton fans had been there often enough through the Falmer years (see seasons 1-3 below) and also on occasions during that long & infamous Withdean era. Chris Hughton had bolstered last term's Championship runners-up squad with several foreign signings over pre-season and fielded a few from the get go. Pascal Gross & Markus Suttner arrived from Germany, Davy Propper came in from Holland, while Maty Ryan got the keeper's gloves via Spain. All were experienced in European domestic leagues & competitions, although everyone realised this was virgin territory for any BHA team of proven level2 ability at best.
Seagulls suffered defeat and were chasing the game from the first moment. A fast counter attack resulted in Ryan spilling the shot and City put home the rebound (1min). Albion held hosts to the single score until h-t but conceded once more soon after. At a set piece City out-jumped the defence & keeper to net another soft goal (54min). Albion appeared on paper to have put in a shift but in truth it was merely a time & motion study illusion. BHA were way off the pace and lacked cohesion as force to go forward. It was a harsh introduction to playing away and a measure of just how difficult it would be to gain points in future contests. Hughton sent on Knockaert & Hemed around the hour mark but it made little difference overall. He said, 'we certainly weren't at our level on the ball. It's a different game altogether when you concede the second from a set play. It's about staying in there - and learning fast.' Brighton fans could also see writing on the wall already and wondered if the 'enhanced' squad was really capable of getting up to speed pdq.
Stats; shape 4411-4411, h-t 1-0, goals 1,54, poss 45%-55%, on target 4-2, off target 4-0, blocked 6-3, crosses 19-17, corners 6-2, o/s 1-2, fouls 8-10, tackles 10-9, yellows 1-0, subs 2-2. Att 31,902 (away 3298)
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 29 Suttner, 20 March, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 15 Murphy, 13 Gross (11 Knockaert), 17 Murray (10 Hemed)
Prem P2 . W0 D0 L2 . F0 A4 . Pt0 Po18

Total; P38 W12 D11 L15 F56 A60 GD-4 Pt47 Po9 = 1.23pt/gm. Wins = 31.5%, Loss = 39.4% - Puel. R5 Y56
3qtrs; P29 W9 D10 L10 F41 A42 GD-1 Pt37 Po8 = 1.27pt/gm. Wins = 31%, Loss = 34.4% - Puel.
Hlfwy; P19 W7 D6 L6 F29 A28 GD+1 Pt27 Po8 = 1.42pt/gm. Wins = 36.8%, Loss = 31.5% - Shakespeare & Puel.
Start; P10 W3 D3 L4 F14 14 GD0 Pt12 Po11 = 1.20pt/gm. Wins = 30%, Loss = 40% - Shakespeare.
Aug - yoyo history suggested a bottom half place initially with a manager kinda learning the ultimate job in situ.
New Year - change of manager has produced much better results.
March - competing to be just behind top six. EFL Cup Q-F. FA Cup Q-F.

PREVIOUS PREM;
18/19 - P38 W15 D7 L16 F51 A48 GD+3 Pt52 Po9 = 1.36pt/gm. Wins = 39.4%, Loss = 42.1% - B Rodgers
A late change of manager to seek future success. But continuing middle order is implicit in dna at present.
17/18 - P38 W12 D11 L15 F56 A60 GD-4 Pt47 Po9 = 1.23pt/gm. Wins = 31.5%, Loss = 39.4% - Claude Puel & Craig Shakespeare.
As English as they literarily come, CS replaced title-winning Italian Claudio Ranieri late in the following testing campaign. City picked up for different tinkering but time shortly saw it develop into an everyday domestic story of sacking.
16/17 - P38 W12 D8 L18 F48 A63 GD-15 Pt44 Po12 = 1.15pt/gm. Wins = 31.5%, Draws = 21%, Loss = 47.3%, CS = 24% - Claudio Ranieri & Craig Shakespeare.
The up & down nature of City's C21 football life kinda flattened out toward the end of a seriously unsettling title defence.
15/16 - P38 W23 D12 L3 F68 A36 GD+32 Pt81 Po1 = 2.13pt/gm. Wins = 60.5% - Claudio Ranieri, (P43 W25 D14 L4 Wins = 58.1%)
Sensational is one word to describe this campaign. Long odd against would be another phrase, as Foxes started at 5k to 1 for winning the title. The stats aren't that impressive but the kudos certainly caught neutrals imagination.
14/15 - P38 W11 D8 L19 F46 A55 GD-9 Pt41 Po14 = 1.07pt/gm. Wins = 28.9% - Nigel Pearson.
Foxes got out of a deepening hole, or rather beat the drop, with a very late surge to get clear of the danger zone. Nigel Pearson appeared to put his foot in mouth on several occasions and consequently reached the end of his tenure.
13/14 - not Premier League - see below, Season3

FA CUP from 13/14; 3rd rnd, 5th rnd, 3rd rnd, 5th rnd, q-f, 3rd rnd.
LEAGUE CUP; q-f, 2nd rnd, 4th rnd, 3rd rnd, q-f, q-f.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE; nq, nq, nq, q-f, nq, nq.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Season3 Championship (A) 8/4/14 - W 1-4 ~ Ward, Lingard, Ulloa 2
Going into this fixture, Albion were previously attempting to break into play-off positions but it was home rather than away formthat prevented filling a top-six berth. We had not won in five matches over all. Seven victories on the road kept Seagulls flying high and now they faced already promoted Foxes who had been defeated only once at King Power. City had last lost a contest when visiting the Amex many weeks ago. Oscar Garcia was a coach who liked to use a squad principle and do certain changes in his line-up to suit each game tactically. Here he started impact player LuaLua and went with pace up front from the outset.
Albion were four up with ten minutes left and by then many in the 30k gate began to head for early exits. The display throughout was superb and once ahead, visitors never looked back. Ward headed an opener (17min) then Lingard nodded a second (24min). In the second period Ulloa bagged a brace and might have had three (64, 80 min). But the sorry home unit wrecked a clean sheet very late this evening (89min). OG had luxury of putting subs on quite late too because BHA were getting it done in fine style already. CMS got a few moments back from long-term injury as Oscar withdrew his quick men, who had instigated this historic win. Brighton were impressive in triumph and if only we could see three or four netted every week!
Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer, Upson, Ward, March (Forster-Caskey), Andrews, Stephens, Lingard (Mackail-Smith), Ulloa, LuaLua (David).
Champ's P 41 . W 16 D 13 L 12 . F 46 A 37 . Pt 61 Po 7

Season2 (A) 23/10/12 - L 1-0
Brighton went to table toppers in midweek following a poor run of results and worryingly, distinct lack of scoring goals. It was maybe also a marker for rest of this season, by thus completing the first quarter of fixtures. Albion were on heels of play-off places but needed to find some winning form pdq to help maintain an above average points per game index. Currently this was 1.63 (before k-o) and required tweaking to around 1.7 in order to guarantee knockout qualification next May. A dramatic win here would indicate the gig was a goer, setting us up for sold-out repeat performances until summer time. Well, that's what we and 600 travelling fans hoped for in a crowd of 25k on a misty autumn nite.
Oh dear, the dream all fell apart before Albion were out of their blocks and conceded an early soft goal after 10min. BHA got battered in the first half but hung in there and gradually reduced potent threats on the away goal. Gus had words at half time and the team came out a second time looking for a quick equaliser. Ref gave us a pen when Buckley got floored but unfortunately Barnes spot kick was saved. He then dobbed the rebound over the bar (54m). Gus withdrew Dicker for Dobbie on the hour and wanted more support for CMS up front. Later with about ten minutes left Hammond arrived in lieu of Crofts. Albion gave good account of themselves but failed to make a breakthrough. We were still second best at ninety minutes on goals scored and other stats and all. There were a few chances to net but probably not enough to make only one really count. Gus said he was bored and we wondered what context he wanted to put that statement in. Something needed to be done - but what?
Kuszczak, Bruno, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge, Crofts (Hammond), Bridcutt, Dicker (Dobbie), Buckley, Mackail-Smith, Barnes
Champ's P 12 . W 5 D 3 L 4 . F 15 A 8 . Pt 18 Po 9

Season1 (A) 17/9/11 - L 1-0
Going into this fixture, Brighton fans of older generations were very hard put to find a similar past season when the Albion had gone unbeaten in opening weeks. What a start to the current campaign, with five wins and a draw to date and also Seagulls leading the Championship table by a point. Even Gus Poyet was surprised, although he musta been pleased with the way things were working out so far. Those remaining at our club who had been part of the League1 title-winning squad, were now doing the do at level two, aided and abetted by new signings like Craig Mackail-Smith. Young Lewis Dunk was proving to be a class act at the back and helped our defence keep three clean sheets out of six matches. BHA were also into LCr3 against Liverpool at the Amex and went to the renamed King Power stadium on a real high.
Oh dear, the bubble burst and BHA didn't exactly cover themselves in glory against a Leicester side just getting into gear in this division. We were lucky to go in at half time goal-less and opposition were proving a tough nut to crack at the back. More or less straight from turn-around, City swarmed forward and snatched a lead. Talk about the psychological moment, Sven Goran Eriksson had used the same tactic a week before. Albion huffed and puffed, had limited chances and what we did get were wasted. CM-S dobbed over from a yard out and it sort of summed up our afternoon. Gus swapped all subs in last half hour but it came to nowt for altering balance of play. Only perhaps in changing shape to orthodox 442. Painter got a second bookable and so was sent off ten mins from time. Dunk, Dicker and LuaLua also collected cards. A bad day at the office but we all get 'em sometime. How would Seagulls rise to the next occasion?
Ankergren, Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Painter, Harley (LuaLua), Bridcutt, Dicker (Navarro), Noone (LuaLua), Barnes, Mackail-Smith.
Champ's P 7 . W 5 D 1 L 1 . F 11 A 5 . Pt 16 . Po 2
* * * * *

Withdean Era: 12 seasons from 1999 to 2011.
Seasons 6 04/5, 7 05/6 - Championship. Season10 08/9 - League One.

Leicester Home, Falmer Years
LEICESTER AWAY;
19/20 P4 W1 D1 L2 F4 A5 GD-1 Pt4 Po4 = 1.00pt/gm or 28.5% of total points. Wins = 25%, Loss = 50%
18/19 - P19 W7 D4 L8 F27 A28 GD-1 Pt25 Po9 = 1.31pt/gm or 48% of total points. Wins = 36.8%, Loss = 42.1% - Claude Puel &
Brendan Rodgers.
17/18 - P19 W5 D5 L9 F31 A38 GD-7 Pt20 Po9 = 1.05pt/gm or 42.5% of total points. Wins = 26.3%, Loss = 47.3% - Craig Shakespeare &
Claude Puel.
16/17 - P19 W2 D4 L13 F17 A38 GD-21 Pt10 Po12 (Po17 away) = 0.52pt/gm or 22.7% of total points. Away wins = 10.5% - Claudio Ranieri & Craig Shakespeare.
15/16 - P19 W11 D6 L2 F33 A18 GD+15 Pt39 Po1 = 2.05pt/gm or 48.1% of total points. Wins = 57.9% - Claudio Ranieri.
14/15 - P19 W4 D3 L12 F18 A32 GD-14 Pt15 Po14 = 0.78pt/gm or 36.5% of total points. Wins = 21% - Nigel Pearson.
13/14 - not Premier League - see below Season3

Season9 Premier League (H) Sat 23/11/19 -
The third international break just occurred and Albion had taken stock. The Prem fixture list threw up a series of ok home matches from the get go but alternately some very tough games to face on the road until New Year.

Stats; shape 343-4231, h-t 0-0, goals xx, poss 50%-50%, on target 0-0, off target 0-0, crosses 0-0, corners 0-0, o/s 0-0, tackles 0-0, fouls 0-0, yellows 0-0, reds 0-0 (xx), subs 0-0. Gate 30,xxx, away xxxx. MoM - . Weather - .
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 33 Burn, 20 March, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 13 Gross, 17 Murray. Subs - 23 Steele, 30 Bernardo, 15 Webster, 18 Mooy, 11 Trossard, 7 Maupay.
Prem P13 . W0 D0 L0 . F0 A0 . W0 D0 L0 . F0 A0 . Pt0 Po0 = 1.00pt/gm. Wins = 0%, Loss = 0%

Season8 Premier League (H) Sat 24/11/18 - 1-1 Murray
This fixture came after yet another international break in first half of the PL season, for the 3rd month running. Albion's home form going into this contest was; Man Utd 3-2, Fulham 2-2, Spurs 1-2, West Ham 1-0 & Wolves 1-0 = 10/15pt or 2.00pt/gm. The Amex needed to be a fortress again this term in front of sold-out crowds, with Brighton fans knowing every goal scored and block made for a clean sheet would make a difference to survival hopes come next May. Chris Hughton more or less had a complete squad available for selection, bar Stephens banned and Jahanbakhsh injured. Murray made his 100th PL appearance. On the day it rained for whole of the contest.
The match began well with an early goal to hosts. Murray notched his 7th of the season to date when heading home a Knockaert corner (15min). But Seagulls failed to add another score and it was a tad frustrating for Brighton fans. City were reduced to ten men around the half hour mark for a second bookable offence - actually simulation in the area! In the second period visitors piled on the pressure, made astute substitutions and were all over Albion like a rash. As time ticked, Ref pointed to the spot when Kayal decked his man - City levelled (79min). Hughton put on March, Andone & Locadia but nothing changed the result. Hughton said, 'you've got to be able to kill the game off and we weren't able to do that. It can go one of two ways. You either have not to concede or take advantage of the situation. It feels like two points lost.' Brighton fans were less than vocal, while Leicester support really got behind their outfit for the hour of a man short - and they made a positive difference. The Amex rocks when things go well but today they didn't, on & off the pitch.
Stats; shape 4411-4231, h-t 1-0, goals 15-79, poss 54%-46%, on target 3-3, off target 8-3, crosses 25-12, corners 6-1, o/s 5-1, tackles 20-17, fouls 10-7, yellows 3-1, reds 0-1 (28), subs 3-3. Gate 30,553, away 3008. MoM Bernardo. Weather - cold & rain.
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno Y66, 4 Duffy Y60, 5 Dunk, 30 Bernardo, 11 Knockaert (20 March 72), 24 Propper, 7 Kayal, 19 Izquierdo Y72, 13 Gross (10 Andone 82), 17 Murray (9 Locadia 89). Subs - 23 Steele, 3 Bong, 14 Balogun, 8 Bissouma.
Prem P13 . W3 D2 L1 . F9 A7 . W1 D1 L5 . F5 A12 . Pt15 Po12 = 1.15pt/gm. Wins = 30.7%, Loss = 46.1%

Season7 Premier League (H) 31/3/18 - L 0-2
Another month ended and merely six weeks to go until end of the season. Including today the run in had seven games left to play - 4 home & 3 away. So how were Albion placed? Perhaps their status was put into true perspective when considering results already against established top half sides here: Man City 0-2, Everton 1-1, Liverpool 1-5, Burnley 0-0, Watford 1-0, Bournemouth 2-2, Chelsea 0-4 & Arsenal 2-1. The trend being toward a 37.5% pts return at the Amex against such opposition. However Seagulls had indeed gained majority of their overall points tally at the community stadium and needed several more to maintain chance of PL participation next season.
Albion lost the game in final moments of madness. It all seemed this scrappy contest might finish nil-nil, following neither side looking that likely to score. Hosts had good chances to take a lead in the first half but spurned them. And Seagulls misses came home to roost when Murray's penalty kick was saved with 20 minutes to go of the ninety. After the hour mark Kayal got booked and then March replaced Locadia. He set up Izquierdo but the winger was chopped down in the box. Bong was next into the book just prior to Foxes opening scoring. BHA were on the back foot when a deep cross fell to an unmarked attacker (83min). Shortly afterwards visitors had a man sent off for a 2nd yellow. Albion piled forward but couldn't beat the keeper who had a good one on the day. At the death a stretched home team fell to a second sucker punch to complete the mugging (96m). Chris Hughton said, 'it's frustrating and hard to take. They got a lift in the last period after the penalty miss and it got them the goal. We were the better side.' Brighton fans went home in reflective mood, knowing once again we'd missed a decent chance for valuable points at the Amex.
Stats; shape 4141-4411, ht 0-0, goals 83,90+6, poss 47%-53%, on target 3-4, off target 7-2, blocks 5-0, crosses 24-14, corners 6-1, o/s 6-1, tackles 11-14, fouls 11-13, yellows 2-5, red 0-1, subs 2-3. Gate 30,629 (away )
1 Ryan, 21 Schelotto, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 25 Locadia (20 March 75), 7 Kayal (9 Baldock 84), 13 Gross, 24 Propper, 19 Izquierdo, 17 Murray.
Prem P 31 . W 8 D 10 L 13 . F 28 A 42 . Pt 34 Po 13
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Season3 Championship (H) 7/12/13 - W 3-1 ~ Barnes 2, Conway
Albion's Amex record prior to this clash with current league leaders was; W3 D3 L3. It certainly wasn't anything to write home about in a campaign where expectation was to gain a play-off place again. The latest reversal was in midweek beforehand against the bottom club and amounted to Seagulls being booed off at h-t and clocking a very poor display over all. Oscar Garcia exercised restraint with his selections on this following Saturday, making merely one change - Ince came in to midfield once more, after growing in stature previously as Bridcutt's stand-in. Usual keeper Kuszczak pulled up short in the warm-up and so out of favour Brez got the gloves by default. On a chilly but still afternoon, another 27k turnout gave one minute's applause in memory of Nelson Mandella.
Goals make games and the first one was gonna be crucial. Albion opened the scoring when David provided a perfect low ball to the far post where Barnes duly notched (9 min). El-Abd replaced Greer on 15min due to our captain sustaining a calf injury. This exciting fixture then lived up to billing because subsequent football was open, had tempo and very welcome entertainment value at Championship level. Inside half an hour, David got his second assist as he threaded a pass to Conway who moved centrally from left flank to slot home in fine style (28 min). During the second period, Ref turned down a pen shout in visitors area and they were soon counter attacking and won a f-k in our final third. A free header from the set-piece beat Brez just inside his far post (64 min). Home support began to encourage a grandstand finish, especially when LuaLua got a run out in a late tactical move from BHA dugout. Ref made no mistake with another spot-kick decision, following Barnes getting floored before his jump for a cross. He got up and smashed the ball into opposition's net to seal this clash in favour of locals (77 min). Fans and staff went home happy because the same team beaten earlier in the week had played so well against superior (on paper) rivals. That is football for yer and you can't ever make it up.
Brezovan, Bruno, Greer (El-Abd), Upson, Ward, Crofts, Bridcutt, Ince, David (LuaLua), Barnes, Conway.
Champ's P 19 . W 7 D 7 L 5 . F 24 A 19 . Pt 28 Po 10

Season2 (H) 6/4/13 - 1-1 ~ LuaLua
Compared to a year ago (see below) Albion were well and truly still on the up when now in top six. This gate was anticipated to be in excess of 28k and fair enough because prior to k-o, Foxes were currently one place and two points behind us in seventh position. There would be a continuing battle thru the run-in ahead, where several contenders had not given up hope of making p-o phases. Prior to 3pm the top half clubs were: Cardiff 78pt, Hull 71pt, Watford 70pt, Palace 65pt, Forest 62pt, Albion 61pt, Leicester 59pt, Bolton 57pt, Middlesbrough 55pt, Derby 54pt, Birmingham 52pt, Leeds 52pt. On paper our squad was stronger than last season and were capable of going the distance. Up front was short in numbers coz CMS got crocked and Barnes was suspended big time. If proper springtime ever arrived after this continuing cold winter, then Vicente was expected to be equally hot at long last.
Well we suppose a draw was inevitable, following Albion's unbeaten home run in 2013. Ten mins in, Buckley was replaced by LuaLua due to hamstring probs. But the thing is, City looked to be heading for victory after taking the lead late on in this p-o clash. Brighton should have gone ahead during the first half but failed to convert chances. There was usual ebb and flow throughout and looking at stats, visitors had us licked for on/off targets. Vicente got on before the hour in an attempt to penetrate Foxes defence. They soaked us up and netted after we failed to clear a long throw into the area (73min). With time running out, LuaLua picked up a loose ball and smashed it home low inside a post (88min). Gus said, 'we had to take a risk and as it turned out I was happy to have Vicente on the bench. We thought it was better to have him fresh at the end.' Concerning play-offs he said, 'I think it will go to the last game.'
Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer, Upson, Bridge, David (Vicente), Bridcutt, Hammond, Buckley (LuaLua), Ulloa, Orlandi (Barker)
Champ's P 41 . W 15 D 17 L 9 . F 57 A 41 . Pt 62 Po 6

Season1 (H) 4/2/12 - W 1-0 ~ Buckley
One big advantage in having a pukka new stadium, apart from that lovely curvy roof, was benefit of under soil heating. Most other Championship matches got to be played at end of a very cold week, while lower league fixtures were decimated by Feb's frozen conditions. Yes we'd come a long way from Withdean in terms of gaining big club status at Falmer. With Gus Poyet's name regularly in newspapers, fantastic cup runs and greater coverage of English tier two, BHA was earning respect again nationwide. Poyet added to the squad before that transfer deadline and also had alternative players available for selection following an injury crisis. On the day it was freezing in the Amex but 20k attended, warmed by faith keeping feelings of being well and truly on the footy map.
It was like a chess match during first half back and forth. First Albion advanced, then City moved forward. Defences ensured neither back line was breached and there was a certain fascination for purist footy types. Early in the second period, Foxes shot themselves in the foot when a bloke got dismissed for retaliation (53min). Gus subbed two on the hour, introducing new boys Mattock and Vokes. A little later Vicente came on to try and help break deadlock. The match appeared to be heading for nil-nil but Sparrow saw red for a late tackle (85m). Play was more open now with space available. Brighton took the lead from a sensational piece of footy involving Vicente who crossed and Buckley who volleyed low and hard past their keeper (90m). As you can imagine, the place erupted and shivering was replaced by cheering. Another Leicester man took the walk of shame when bringing down Vicente in stoppage as he went thru on goal. Gus was pleased but realised quality over quantity counted at the death, where Buckley had gotten us a right result once more. On present form, Albion's future in this league seemed very promising.
Brezovan, Calderon, Greer, Dunk, El-Abd (Mattock), Navarro (Vokes), Bridcutt, Sparrow, Buckley, Mackail-Smith (Vicente), Barnes
Champ's P 29 . W 13 D 6 L 10 . F 32 A 30 . Pt 45 Po 10