Post-match report for our last game: Manchester City, Saturday, 12th August 2017
Brighton v Manchester City
ALBION TAUGHT A THING OR TWO BY CITY PERFORMANCE
VENUE; the Amex, Falmer. Opening fixture of the Premier League season 2017-18.
RESULT; 0-2 . (ht 0-0) . SHAPE; 4-4-1-1
OVERTURE; history was made by BHA in hosting their initial Premier League match. Massed waving flags preceded kick-off.
GATE; 30,415 - ground record . WEATHER; warm sunny intervals.
CHRIS HUGHTON selected from a squad strengthened in pre-season weeks to the value of around 35million pounds.
INS; Pascal Gross, Markus Suttner, Davy Propper, Izzy Brown (loan)
TEAM; . . . . . . Ryan
. . Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Suttner
. . March, Stephens, Propper, Brown
. . . . . Gross, . . . . Hemed
BENCH; Maenpaa, Rosenior, Huenemeier, Sidwell, Murphy (24), Murray (59), Knockaert (76)
GOALS; 70 - locals were mostly on the back-foot but lost the ball in midfield trying to go forward. Visitors countered with men spare and the outcome created a clear-cut chance. 0-1 - cause & effect, action & reaction, opportunity & scoring.
75 - with little hope of breaking out, Seagulls were now penned in their nest while opposition varied attacks via a series of aerial onslaughts. Dunk headed past Ryan. 0-2 - oh dear!
INCIDENTS; 21 - Brown was clattered in disputing the ball in midfield and stayed on the turf while play continued. On inspection by medical staff he departed limping to the touchline and up the tunnel.
YELLOWS; hosts were very polite when conceding free kicks or making other rule infringements. Visitors were tough in the tackle but sustained 2 cards for lesser physicality.
SUBS; Brown on left flank was replaced by Murphy when injured midway through the first half. Around the hour mark Hemed came off for Murray in a like for like swap. Immediately following the second goal, March, operating as cover to Bruno, was withdrawn for offensive-minded Knockaert.
ANALYSIS; it was a learning curve for players, coaches & spectators alike. The atmosphere was subdued at times while everybody got to grips with happenings on the pitch at a standard called the Premier League. Brighton tried to compete by offering to be hard to break down. There was little else Seagulls could muster going forward.
1ST FAN; + it was men versus boys. We have got to be realistic and put together a better tactical showing than just holding out for nil-nil hoping to get lucky like proverbial lambs to slaughter+
2ND FAN; +how amazing to see a side more than likely to win the title next May. Class won the day and respect where its due+
3RD FAN; +Hughton revealed his strategy and given his squad requires fine tuning, it would appear defensive caution is order of the day here against the very best at least+
Fatmanslims
