MAN UTD - Home, Falmer Years: 17/18 - 19/20 Prem, seasons 7, 8, 9.
Manager; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2018)
Prem records from 11/12 to 19/20; 2, 1, 7, 4, 5, 6 / 2, 6, (5 @ 10/7/20). Best finish = 1st, Worst finish = 7th.
C21; title - 8 times, Runners-up - 4 times, top four - 4 times, top six - 3 times, top ten - once.
Old Trafford Ave Gate; 75.2K, Cap; 75.7K
Recent managers; Jose Mourinho (2016-18), Louis van Gaal (2014-16), David Moyes (2013-14), Sir Alex Ferguson (1986-2013)
Podiums; 17/18 - Man City, Man Utd, Tottenham, 12/13 - Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea. 11/12 - Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal.

Run in - fixture deadline extended into close season -
July - So'ton (H) 13/7, Palace (A) 15/7, West Ham (H) 18/7, Leicester (A) 26/7. forecast - 65pts.

UNITED AWAY;
Seasn . W D L . F A GD . Pt Po
19/20 - 06 5 6 . 19 22 +3 . 23 5 = 1.35pt/gm or 39.6% of total points. Wins = 35.2%, Loss = 35.2% - O G Solskjaer. record @ 10/7/20.
18/19 - 09 3 7 . 32 29 03 . 30 6 = 1.57pt/gm or 45.4% of total points. Wins = 47.3%, Loss = 36.8% - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Jose Mourinho.
17/18 - 10 4 5 . 30 19 11 . 34 2 = 1.78pt/gm or 41.9% of total points. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 26.3% - Jose Mourinho.
16/17 - 10 5 4 . 28 17 11 . 35 6 = 1.84pt/gm or 50.7% of total points. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 21.0% - Jose Mourinho.
15/16 - 07 4 8 . 22 26 -4 . 25 5 = 1.31pt/gm or 37.8% of total points. Wins = 36.8%, Loss = 42.1% - Louis van Gaal.
14/15 - 06 8 5 . 21 22 -1 . 26 4 = 1.36pt/gm or 37.1% of total points. Wins = 31.5%, Loss = 26.3% - Louis van Gaal.
13/14 - 10 4 5 . 35 22 13 . 34 7 = 1.78pt/gm or 53.1% of total points. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 26.3% - David Moyes.

Season9 3rd Premier League (H) Tuesday 30/6/20 - L 0-3.
PL suspended until restart from 17/6/20 after Sat 4/4/20 postponed. Revised evening fixture played behind closed doors without fans attending.
Due to spread of coronavirus the PL ordered a suspension of all matches from 14March, which originally included the final international break in proceedings (for Euro play-offs) just prior to this fixture when initially scheduled. Albion had good recent history hosting United and hoped to repeat results from previous Prem campaigns here (see Seasons 7&8 below). The problem was Red Devils were second in a series of four successive home games versus other big-six giants this run-in. We'd hosted Arsenal already (postponed for Covid-19 infection previously) and were then set to entertain Liverpool & Man City in the very same week next month. Graham Potter was now charged with getting a positive result here, to register with those obtained under tenure of Chris Hughton from our two former elite terms. Perhaps now was the time to compare these campaigns for end product, albeit at beginning of the run in. And Man Utd arrived fresh from an FA Cup q-f victory, were close up 6th in the div, so were good to go.
United hit the post early and playing off the front foot were two up by halftime (16,29 min). Early in the second period they countered quickly and netted a third (50 min). Albion couldn't live with them and although weren't bad, they were a class below Red Devils at this stage of the game. Potter changed shape for the second period but it was all over bar the lack of shouting in an empty stadium once Utd scored three. Seagulls plugged away to keep a debacle at bay but couldn't net a consolation as old frailties were exposed in front of the posts. Potter was proud of the graft but at end of the day, we'd been taken apart and the blow to confidence was more of a worry to him than tinkering with the squad. The next match would be mega important and losing again was unthinkable... as Brighton fans sat at home awaited following results from tv, radio, socials and phone calls. They didn't want it to all go to the wire by late July. If so, Brighton beach would be a nervous place to spend a Sunday afternoon, pandemic or not.
stats: shape 4411-4231, ht 0-2, goals 16,29,50, poss 37%-63%, on target 2-6, off target 5-4, corners 4-5, o/s 2-2, fouls 10-8, yellows 0-1, subs 5-5 (5/9). MoM - Dunk. Gate - 0. Weather - cloudy & cool.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk (30 Bernardo 81), 33 Burn, 2 Lamptey (11 Trossard 46), 6 Stephens, 24 Propper (7 Maupay 46), 8 Bissouma, 10 Mac Allister (18 Mooy), 44 Connolly (20 March 87). Subs (5/9) - 27 Button, 23 Schelotto, 13 Gross, 17 Murray.
Squad - 16 Jahanbakhsh, 25 Kayal. Injured - 15 Webster, 19 Izquierdo, 46 Alzate.
Prem: P32 . W5 D6 L5 . F19 A19 . W2 D6 L8 . F15 A25 . Pt33 Po15 = 1.03pt/gm. Wins = 21.8%, Loss = 40.6%

Man Utd:
Quatr: P . W D L . F A GD . . Pt Po
Total: 34 . 16 10 8 . 59 33 26 . 58 5 = 1.70pt/gm. Wins = 47.0%, Loss = 23.5% - updated asap, record @ 10/7/20.
3qtrs: 29 . 12 9 8 . 44 30 14. 45 5 = 1.55pt/gm. Wins = 41.3%, Loss = 27.5% PREM SUSPENDED
Hlfwy: 19 . 7 7 5 . 30 23 7 .. 28 7 = 1.47pt/gm. Wins = 36.8%, Loss = 26.3%
Start: 10 . 3 4 3 .. 13 10 3 . . 13 7 = 1.30pt/gm. Wins = 30%, Loss = 30% - O G Solskjaer.
Europa League: 16 - LASK 0-5 (A) 5/8/20 (H). 32 - Bruges 5-0 (H) 1-1 (A). Group - Astana 2-1 (A) 1-0 (H), Partizan 0-1 (A) 3-0 (H), AZ Alkmaar 0-0 (A) 4-0 (H).
EFL Cup: s-f - Man City 0-1 (A) 1-3 (H), q-f - Colchester 3-0 (H), 4th rnd - Chelsea 1-2 (A), 3rd rnd - Rochdale 5pen3 1-1 (H).
FA Cup: Chelsea s-f, Norwich 1-2 aet (A) q-f, Derby 0-3 (A) R5, Tranmere 0-6 (A) R4, Wolves 1-0 (H) 0-0 (A) R3.
Aug: outside top six and merely chasing top four already.
Oct: falling behind leading six, seven points adrift of fourth spot.
New Year: back into 5th pos, qual for last 32 of Eu Lg and in FAC4 draw via replay.
March: in 5th position when PL suspended. Into FAC last eight. Eu Lg last 16.
July:

Season8 2nd Premier League (H) Sunday 19/8/18 - W 3-2 ~ Murray, Duffy, Gross.
This match began Seagulls second PL home campaign and again obtained select tv coverage, by moving to Sunday kickoff. Irony suggested we had previously won here versus United, when our very last game at the Amex (see season7 below) got switched from Saturday. Meanwhile fringe players Ulloa (loan), Goldson, Huenemeier, Rosenior (U23 coach), Maenpaa, Sidwell, Krul, Ince, Murphy, Baldock & Skalak left during the close season. Norwood went out on loan. Prior to BHA's July tour to base camp in Austria, Ryan, Izquierdo & new guy Leon Balogun had played at the World Cup during June in Russia. The PL summer transfer window now closed at start of the season and to date Martin Montoya, Ali Jahanbakhsh, Yves Bissouma, Bernardo da Silva, Leon Balogun, Florin Andone and homegrown keepers David Button & Jason Steele had been added to the rejigged 25 man PL squad. Reserve c-d Dan Burn signed on deadline day. The revised U23 group, with several new signings, were now competing in PL2 div1 and also facing fixtures against elite clubs. On the day Chris Hughton selected a tied & tested eleven, although with influencial Bruno injured, Montoya now made his PL debut in lieu of the club captain.
Albion actually did the double, in terms of a second win versus United at the Amex in consecutive games. It wasn't all that straightforward, Dunk being injured from the 10th minute and replaced by debutant Balogun (20min). The armband went to Stephens and he helped provide inpetus from midfield to stifle early build ups by Red Devils. Seagulls then took the lead when March got the assist for Murray to prod home (25min). In next to no time hosts were two up when Duffy notched at the second attempt from a corner routine (27min). United hit back quickly with a header after mistakes in defence (34min). But Ref pointed to the spot just prior to half-time when Gross got floored and he rose to convert the penalty kick (44min). United regrouped for a 2nd period onslaught but locals held firm outside the area and soaked up pressure using proactive measures without the ball. On ninety minutes Hughton put on 2 subs to kill time. But Ref again decided a pen was required and Utd duly netted a very late consolation. Hughton said, 'I am proud, particularly the reaction from last week. If you let them play they can hurt you. Both sides of our game were really good.' Brighton fans were delerious with pleasure and at final whistle went vocally crazy. It was noticeable by then that the away end was almost empty.
Stats; shape 4411-433, h-t 3-1, goals 25,27,44-34,95, poss 33%-67%, on target 3-3, off target 3-6, corners 3-5, o/s 2-2, fouls 16-13, yellows 1-1, subs 3-3. Gate 30,592, away 3025. Weather - pleasant afternoon.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk (14 Balogan 20), 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 20 March, 13 Gross (7 Kayal 89), 17 Murray Y67 (9 Locadia 90). Bench - 27 Button, 30 Bernardo, 8 Bissouma, 16 Jahanbakhsh.
Prem P2 . W1 D0 L0 . F3 A2 . W0 D0 L1 . F0 A2 . Pt3 Po11 = 1.50pt/gm. Wins = 50%, Loss = 50%

Total; P38 W19 D9 L10 F65 A54 GD+11 Pt66 Po6 = 1.73pt/gm. Wins = 50%, Loss = 26.3% - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
3qtrs; P29 W17 D7 L5 F58 A38 GD+20 Pt58 Po4 = 2.00pt/gm. Wins = 58.6%, Loss = 17.2%
Hlfwy; P19 W9 D5 L5 F37 A31 GD+6 Pt32 Po6 = 1.68pt/gm. Wins = 47.3%, Loss = 26.3%
Start; P10 W5 D2 L3 F17 A17 GD0 Pt17 Po8 = 1.70pt/gm. Wins = 50%, Loss = 30% - Mourinho.
Champions League; q-f - Barcelona 0-1 (H) 3-0 (A), 16 - PSG 0-2 (H) 1-3 (A). Group H - Juventus 0-1 (H) 1-2 (A), Valencia 0-0 (H) 2-1 (A), Young Boys 0-3 (A) 1-0 (H).
EFL Cup; 3rd rnd - Derby 7-8 pens 2-2 (H)
FA Cup; q-f - Wolves 2-1 (A), 5th rnd - Chelsea 0-2 (A), 4th rnd - Arsenal 1-3 (A), 3rd rnd - Reading 2-0 (H)
JM record; to Aug 18 - P120 W74 D25 L21 Wins = 61.6%
Aug; Jose is glum for a reason. He knows the score but doesn't want others to read his mind, only public face. Watch that space.
October; a disappointing start to say least but potential for upward curve. Out of EFL Cup on pens.
New Year; new manager in Ole and made a difference to regain top six. FA Cup progress.
March; now in a four way battle for third. Champs Lg q-f. FA Cup q-f.

Season7 1st Premier League (H) Friday 4/5/18 - W 1-0 ~ Gross
This was the last home fixtue of the PL season and was selected for televising to a world-wide audience. Albion hadn't done that well hosting the big-six clubs: Man City 0-2, Liverpool 1-5, Chelsea 0-4, Arsenal 2-1 & Spurs 1-1 to date. Also 7th Burnley 0-0, 8th Everton 1-1 & 9th Leicester 0-2. We had twice been up to Old Trafford this term, the latest occasion being two months ago for an FA Cup Q-F tie when BHA were knocked out. Now the situation was that Seagulls still needed points to ensure appearing in the division next term. They were one from all bottom half of the table outfits looking over shoulders at those behind possibly getting wins whilst own results were registering reversals. Albion hadn't won during those last two months but for tonight at least, destiny was still in their hands.
In the event Albion won the game and stayed up for sure to boot. The overall display was more than competent and each player did his job to effect. Visitors were off colour on the night but that is not to take anything away from a superb team performance. Seagulls took the game to United and shaded the first half, being unlucky not to score due to fine goalkeeping by Red Devils goalie. Then during the second period Gross headed Izquierdo's cross over the line - Ref aided by Hawkeye technology (57min). Ten minutes later the German Player of the Season was booked when preventing a Utd goalscoring opportunity. The atmosphere built to fever pitch as Hughton put on 3 late subs in a classic tactic of great game management. At the end the stadium erupted into a climax of noise and celebration. Regarding survival Hughton said, 'it means everything. It has been a nervous ending with the run in, with big games coming up. We've come a long way and had some tough periods. The chairman has invested heavily in the club and I am delighted for him.' Brighton fans would drink a toast to that and also club, manager & players who did us all so proud this season.
Stats; shape 4411-433, ht 0-0, goals 57, poss 32%-68%, on target 4-3, off target 4-7, corners 5-6, o/s 1-2, fouls 5-3, yellows 2-0, subs 3-3. Gate 30,611 (away )
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 19 Izquierdo (20 March 88), 13 Gross (7 Kayal 84), 17 Murray (16 Ulloa 93).
P 36 . W 9 D 13 L 14 . F 33 A 47 . Pt 40 Po 11

Total; P38 W25 D6 L7 F68 A28 GD+40 Pt81 Po2 = 2.13pt/gm. Wins = 65.7%, Loss = 18.4% - Jose Mourinho. R1 Y64
3qtrs; P29 W19 D5 L5 F56 A22 GD+34 Pt62 Po2 = 2.13pt/gm. Wins = 65.5%, Loss = 15.6%
Hlfwy; P19 W13 D3 L3 F41 A14 GD+27 Pt42 Po2 = 2.21pt/gm. Wins = 68.4%, Loss = 15.7%
Start; P10 W7 D2 L1 F23 A4 GD+19 Pt23 Po2 = 2.30pt/gm. Wins = 70%, Loss = 10%
August - top four is likely, as & when JM gets his second year act together.
New Year - on track for a podium place and maybe a Cup run too.
March - competition to be runner-up. EFL Cup Q-F. FA Cup S-F. Champions League last 16.

MAN UTD PREVIOUS PREM;
Seasn . W D L . . F A GD . . Pt Po
19/20 - 16 10 08 . 59 33 26 . 58 5 - PL SUSPENDED, record @ 10/7/20
18/19 - 19 9 10 . 65 54 11 . 66 6 = 1.73pt/gm. Wins = 50.0%, Loss = 26.3% - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In truth a season of ups & downs on and off the field. But at end of the day, seems a work in progress from top to bottom.
17/18 - 25 6 07 . 68 28 40 . 81 2 = 2.13pt/gm. Wins = 65.7%, Loss = 18.4% - Jose Mourinho.
That special one from Portugal came on board at United last term with a point to prove. Two seasons later he was slightly on the back foot when analysing campaign performance & finish.
16/17 - 18 15 5 . 54 29 25 . 69 6 = 1.81pt/gm. Wins = 47.3%, Loss = 13.1% - Jose Mourinho.
Following top men who presumably 'failed' was a tough ask in the circumstances. This term was in prep for a higher re-launch.
15/16 - 19 9 10 . 49 35 14 . 66 5 = 1,73pt/gm. Wins = 50.0%, Loss = 26.3% - Louis van Gaal.
Looking at the last 3 years stats is one way of understanding Red Devils fall from grace in an uncompromising division. At least there was an FA Cup to look at in the otherwise empty, newest silverware cabinet.
14/15 - 20 10 8 . 62 37 25 . 70 4 = 1.84pt/gm. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 21.0% - Louis van Gaal
Red Devils suffered a poor start and Louis van Gaal, with a revised strategy, didn't better his predecessor by vastly superior stats or tactics. But top four was certainly another turnaround.
13/14 - 19 7 12 . 64 41 23 . 64 7 = 1.68pt/gm. Wins = 50.0%, Loss = 31.5% - David Moyes.
Sir Alex Ferguson was some class act to follow and David Moyes fell short by a long way in his single year as boss at United. It also impacted on subsequent failure for competitions in Europe.

FA CUP from 13/14; 3rd rnd, 6th rnd, winners, q-f, finalists, q-f, ?.
LEAGUE CUP; s-f, 2nd rnd, 4th rnd, winners, q-f, 3rd rnd, s-f.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE; q-f, nq, nq, nq, last 16, q-f, nq.
EUROPA LEAGUE; nq, nq, last 16, winners, nq, nq, ?.
* * * * *

Withdean Era - from 1999 to 2011, no meetings.

Man Utd - Away, Falmer Years: 17/18 - 19/20 Prem, seasons 7m 8, 9. '18 FAC season7.
UNITED @ HOME;
Seasn . W D L . F A GD . Pt Po
19/20 - 10 5 2 . 37 14 23 . 35 5 = 2.05pt/gm or 60.3% of total points. Wins = 58.8%, Loss = 11.7% - O G Solskjaer. record @ 10/7/20.
18/19 - 10 6 3 . 33 25 08 . 36 6 = 1.89pt/gm or 54.5% of total points. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 15.7% - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Jose Mourinho.
17/18 - 15 2 2 . 38 09 29 . 47 2 = 2.47pt/gm or 58.0% of total points. Wins = 78.9%, Loss = 10.5% - Jose Mourinho.
16/17 - 8 10 1 . 26 12 14 . 34 6 = 1.78pt/gm or 49.2% of total points. Wins = 42.1%, Loss = 05.2% - Jose Mourinho.
15/16 - 12 5 2 . 27 09 18 . 41 5 = 2.15pt/gm or 62.1% of total points. Wins = 42.1%, Loss = 10.5% - Louis van Gaal.
14/15 - 14 2 3 . 41 15 26 . 44 4 = 2.31pt/gm or 62.8% of total points. Wins = 73.6%, Loss = 15.7% - Louis van Gaal.
13/14 - 09 3 7 . 29 21 08 . 30 7 = 1.57pt/gm or 46.8% of total points. Wins = 47.3%, Loss = 36.8% - David Moyes.

Season9 3rd Premier League (A) Sun 10/11/19 - L 3-1 ~ Dunk
During winter & spring of '19, actually going on a return visit to Old Trafford for this season had been in some doubt until May, given that protracted series of poor results extending from our last meeting there during January (see Season8 below) then on throughout that traumatic run-in last term. Chris Hughton paid the ultimate price for merely keeping BHA up and now Graham Potter was tasked with taking Seagulls to greater heights. The Prem squad as such received a few pre-season ins, while outs included off-loading several players permanently or on seasonal loans to lower divs. So far It was agreed among Brighton fans that entertainment-wise, new-look Albion were attractive to watch on any going day. But in terms of goal difference, points tally and position, comparisons with the past two PL seasons were still within similar limitations. It wasn't that Prem results fine lines were now thicker to cross but more that all those ingredients required to find the right cutting edge were still in mix. Today would reveal if peceived progress was real or merely imaginary.
Oh dear, a reality check kicked in and not just concerning much disputed VAR analysis! Albion got beat fair & square and were also exposed as a side who could talk the talk but forever fail to walk the walk. Five players got booked, Dunk receiving a 5th yellow and ban to boot as Red Devils ran amok. Sloppy goals conceded at 17 & 19 mins sealed our fate by halftime - Stevens deflection & Propper og. Potter put Murray & March into the fray for the whole second period and later Gross, in a bid to get back into the game from the hour mark. So then at a super Gross corner Dunk nutted into netting for a lifeline to grab & hold (64min). But United immediately went up the other end to definitely seal our fate with another goal and ensuring lacklustre out-classed defeat on the road (66min).
At end of the day it's not about how much you have the ball but what you do with it. And Albion couldn't do that much, while United looked likely to score each & every time they regained possession, broke with pace and turned us around again & again. Potter said, 'we tried but didn't play at the level we can.' Brighton fans could see it was a familiar pattern repeating at away fixtures just like in those two previous PL seasons. Expansive football looked pretty but in truth allowed opposition so many opportunities to get at us. And a counter-attacking outfit like United on their own turf ran riot. Whether we went 442 or 541 the result was only gonna be yet another loss many miles from the Amex. Chris Hughton did keep BHA in the Prem against short odds for the drop during last spring. All Brighton fans hoped Graham Potter also wouldn't be faced with a similar challenge from January. Seagulls looked lightweight already and maybe Tony Bloom would flash the cash once more after New Year if things continued to go tits up on travels.
Stats; h-t 2-0, goals 17,19,66-64, shape 433-541, poss 43%-57%, on target 11-2, off target 5-3, passes 360-476, o/s 0-4, corners 5-2, fouls 10-14, yellows 2-5, subs 3-3. MoM - Ryan. Gate 73,556, away 1896. Weather - dry but chilly.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya Y (20 March 46), 5 Dunk Y, 4 Duffy, 33 Burn Y, 11 Trossard (13 Gross 59), 6 Stephens Y, 24 Propper Y, 7 Maupay, 44 Connolly (17 Murray). Subs - 27 Button, 14 Balogun, 18 Mooy, 21 Schelotto.
Squad - 3 Bong, 8 Bissouma, 16 Jahanbakhsh. Injured - 15 Webster, 19 Izquierdo, 30 Bernardo.
Prem P12 . W3 D2 L1 F10 A6 . W1 D1 L4 F5 A11 . Pt15 Po11 = 1.25pt/gm. Wins = 33.3%, Loss = 41.6%

Season8 2nd Premier League (A) Sat 19/1/19 - L 2-1 ~ Gross
What could Albion expect to get from this contest against resurgent Red Devils, when going there again with such a poor away record? There had been bad results at, Cardiff 2-1, Everton 3-1, Burnley 1-0 & Bournemouth 2-0 but surprisingly, better displays at Liverpool 1-0, Man City 2-0 & recently West Ham 2-2. Chris Hughton had to find a watertight way to prevent flood gates opening on the road and also pop the odd goal or two in up the dry end. A defensive formation of 451 was expected to hold back the tide, while when in attack mode full backs would support wingers and one or two midfielders push up behind the striker. Great in theory but harder to employ if losing the ball and caught out of shape. Chris Hughton didn't have too many squad players injured or otherwise unavailable so had options to start the game and from the bench.
In the event it was same old for Seagulls - a fair display but yet another defeat to a top six team. Bong conceded a penalty around the half hour mark with visitors on the back foot anyway (27min). And just prior to halftime the struggling away team went two down to a hot shot with flair (42min). During the second period Albion woke up to the job in hand to pile on some pressure. Hughton made a double change on the hour and now plenty of players got forward in hope of salvaging a point. Gross then converted a cross by Propper, to set up a frantic finish, before he departed for Kayal. But it all ended in tears as Brighton fans knew it would all along. Hughton said, 'I wasn't disappointed with the performance but angry at the goals conceded. My players deserve credit for the way they came back in the end but we probably lacked enough quality to get back in the game.' The good news was BHA maintained a 7pt gap above the drop zone and it was at least only defeat by one goal which helped with goal difference by remaining in single figures (-7). Many tough away fixtures lay ahead but maybe via each experience on the road, Seagulls could learn enough to take just a few points home in future.
Stats; h-t 2-0, goals 27.42-72, shape 433-451, poss 56%-44%, on target 5-3, off target 9-3, blocks 6-1, crosses 15-23, o/s 1-2, corners 6-5, tackles 14-16, fouls 11-11, yellows 1-0, subs 3-3. MoM - Gross. Gate 74,532, away 2512. Weather - grey & drizzle.
27 Button, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 20 March (11 Knockaert 61), 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 9 Locadia, 13 Gross (7 Kayal 82), 17 Murray (10 Andone 61). Subs - 23 Steele, 2 Bruno, 14 Balogun, 42 Gyokeres.
Prem P23 . W5 D3 L3 F15 A12 . W2 D2 L8 F10 A20 . Pt26 Po13 = 1.13pt/gm. Wins = 30.4%, Loss = 47.8%

Season7 FA Cup Q-F (A) 17/2/18 - L 2-0
A Saturday evening tie against likely PL runners-up was reward for reaching the quarter-final stage of this historic knockout competition. Albion had previously defeated Palace & Coventry at the Amex and in between those ties Middlesboro away, to then go into the draw for the last eight clubs. Chris Hughton had previously fielded a second eleven in each qualifying round but now, would consider all those fit from the 25 man PL squad for possible match-day selection. In the event he reverted to Dunk & Duffy in cent-def but elected to play both Ulloa & Locadia up front in a sort of 433. It was an exceedingly cold night and snow flurries whipped around Old Trafford at kickoff.
Albion were knocked out, despite a reasonable display against a side that did just enough on the night. Two similar goals conceded with headers from deep crosses sealed Seagulls fate (37 & 83min). But visitors were always in the tie until late in the day and better finishing may have given them a chance of extra time, prior to letting in the killer goal. Stats showed the away side worthy of making it a contest, although in truth it was never a classic. A score for Albion would have put an edge to the outcome and who knows what may have happened subsequently. Hughton said, 'we might not have had a lot of possession but you expect that here. We needed to work the keeper more. And have a little bit more quality in the final third.' Ulloa was subbed but Locadia did well and on another occasion woulda hit the net. Final analysis revealed difference was in making & taking chances.
Stats; shape 4231-433, ht 1-0, goals 37,83, poss 61%-39%, on target 2-6, off target 3-5, blocked 3-6, crosses 20-20, corners 5-5, o/s 0-1, tackles 15-19, f-k 3-8, yellows 0-0, subs 3-2. Gate 74,241 (away)
26 Krul, 21 Schelotto, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk (C), 29 Suttner, 7 Kayal, 24 Propper, 13 Gross, 25 Locadia, 16 Ulloa (17 Murray 76), 20 March (19 Izquierdo 68).
Subs - Maenpaa, Bruno, Goldson, Baldock, Sanders.

Season7 1st Premier League (A) 25/11/17 - L 1-0
This was the second of those 'big' away games at a top-six club. It was what Brighton fans wanted to experience in the Prem and ticket sales for trips to such places were registering 'sold out' long before weekend travel plans north of Sussex got researched. Chris Hughton's regular eleven were unbeaten in 5 fixtures and had won their last two on the road. But this was obviously a step up and realistically a tough call to anticipate returning with the point allocated from k-o at nil-nil. In the event Hughton set up as usual with 4411 and had serious options available from the bench.
Predictably Albion lost the match but gave a plucky display to a large audience (Motd at least!) that showed they could compete at this standard. Following a goalless first half United were first to sub in order to try and break deadlock around the hour mark. Murray was booked and then Dunk sliced a pot shot over Ryan as he dove in to defend (66min). Seagulls were unlucky to be behind and put in a spirited response to the death. In a flurry of changes Hemed & Izquierdo arrived simultaneously, Duffy later received a yellow and Brown got on as the clocked ticked thru final moments. But nothing altered, BHA lacked a cutting edge and were beat. Chris Hughton said, 'I'm incredibly disappointed. We deserved to get more. We didn't create too many chances but got into good positions. Mat Ryan made a save but apart from that they didn't get too much.' Brighton fans had a nice afternoon in the Theatre of Dreams and realistically could feel proud of their team despite another defeat to a top six club.
Stats; shape 4231-4141, ht 0-0, goal 66, poss 58%-42%, on target 4-2, off target 7-3, blocks 4-3, crosses 27-17, corners 5-0, o/s 2-1, tackles 10-22, fouls 9-9, yellows 0-2, subs 3-3. Gate 75,018 (away 3107)
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 20 March (19 Izquierdo), 13 Gross (37 Brown), 17 Murray (10 Hemed).
P 13 . W 4 D 4 L 5 . F 13 A 14 . Pt 16 Po 9
* * * * *

Last there - Withdean era, no visits.