Brighton & Hove Albion 0-0 Leeds United
It beggared belief to me that the full-time whistle of this Premier League encounter triggered boos from a minority of the home support.
Not that this was a classic. Far from it, in fact, after a teatime goalless draw in which Premier League highlights were few and far between.
Yet the reaction of a small section of Seagulls fans, seemingly unhappy as their team’s winless run stretched to nine games, was as surprising as it was disappointing.
No wonder home boss Graham Potter disagreed.
This was a match the home side deserved to win, hitting the woodwork three times as their team controlled long spells.
Up to eighth in the table, ahead of Manchester United, those minority of Albion fans would do well to remember their team has never finished in the top half of the top flight and Potter is working wonders.
Highlights of the game
Robert Sanchez returned for Brighton following a one match suspension with the shot-stopper, Neal Maupay and Joel Veltman replacing Jason Steele, Shane Duffy and Adam Lallana.
Enock Mwepu was back on the bench following a muscle injury.
Leeds received a big boost with top scorer Raphinha and Rodrigo (foot) back in the team after illness and injury respectively.
The forwards and Junior Firpo meant youngster Joe Gelhardt, Pascal Struijk and Mateusz Klich were relegated to the bench.
Jamie Shackleton was also back after missing two games with a muscle issue.
That still meant there was no Luke Ayling, nor Patrick Bamford and Robin Koch who are continuing to recover from long-term injuries.
My SBOTOP colleague predicted that, despite key absences, the Yorkshire club could still fancy their chances of picking up a positive result against the struggling Seagulls, who have suddenly gone winless over the last two months.
I wasn’t so sure, aware their spirits may be knocked further after boss Marcelo Bielsa revealed Bamford’s return from injury had been put back.
That certainly hasn’t helped last season’s darlings who are struggling, sitting narrowly above the relegation zone, and still without back-to-back wins this term, last week going down to defeat at Spurs, despite taking a first-half lead.
Meanwhile, Potter’s side put in an uncharacteristically weak-willed display in defeat at Villa Park last weekend but are undoubtedly one of the success stories of the season so far.
Although earlier this week they were linked with adding a new winger to their ranks in the new year transfer window, they didn’t look like a side which needed strengthening in that area early on.
Indeed, when the lively Tariq Lamptey burst into life down the right and his cross was flicked on, Maupay seemed set to score only for the ball to skid off his shin and over the bar when the goal was at his mercy.
Maupay, who had netted four goals in six league appearances against Leeds prior to this contest – his highest total against an English club – was frustrated and so were his team-mates again shortly afterward when Leandro Trossard made some room on the edge of the box and struck the post, although replays later showed it was a fine touch from visiting goalkeeper Illan Meslier which denied him.
It was soon Jakub Moder’s turn to hit the woodwork, this time from a narrow angle, as the post prevented what would have been a super finish.
Leeds rang the changes at half-time with Kalvin Phillips and Firpo, who had endured a difficult half, replaced, yet the rhythm remained with the home team.
Moder latched onto Shackleton’s underhit ball but could only roll a tame effort across goal before Meslier tipped over a deflected shot from substitute Solly March.
With so many changes going begging, Leeds almost made Brighton pay as Tyler Roberts forced Robert Sanchez into action.
The Premier League betting odds were evenly poised going into the closing stages but there was to be no winner as luckless Brighton hit the woodwork for the third time after Veltman found space on the right and March struck a shot which trickled onto the post and into the grateful arms of Meslier.
A point apiece but Potter and his players should be rightly disappointed with that – and a section of their support.
Key statistics
Brighton have won eight of their last 10 league games against Leeds, including victories in both meetings last season.
The Yorkshire club have failed to score in any of their past six matches at Brighton.
Their last win away to the Seagulls was a 3-0 victory in League One in November 2009.
Leeds are one of two teams – along with Chelsea – who have yet to concede a Premier League goal from outside the penalty area.
What’s next?
Brighton are at West Ham on Wednesday evening (December 1) before the big one – the south coast derby at Southampton a week today.
Leeds have back-to-back home matches against Crystal Palace on Tuesday and Brentford (December 5).
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