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ALBION REPORT
by Jack Kaye
( featuring the Preston North End (23/9), Manchester United (26/9), Manchester United (30/9) and Everton (3/10) games )
23 SEPTEMBER 2020
- PRESTON NORTH END 0
V
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2
Jahanbakhsh (57) Mac Allister (75)
CARABAO CUP, THIRD ROUND - at DEEPDALE, PRESTON
Behind Closed Doors
The Seagulls were on the road again - this time to Lancashire for a Carabao Cup Third Round tie against Championship outfit Preston North End at Deepdale. The Albion had failed to win at Preston in sixteen previous visits to Deepdale.
As against Portsmouth in the previous round Albion Head Coach Graham Potter made eleven changes from the team which had won 3-0 at Newcastle in the Premier on the 20 September. From the team which had faced Portsmouth on the 17 September there were two changes, with youngsters Max Sanders and Haydon Roberts replacing the Burnley-bound Dale Stephens and Jayson Molumby.
The reward for the winners of the tie would have a home match against Manchester United in the fourth round. Preston Manager Alex Neil named a strong-looking line-up to face the Albion, who were looking for their first-ever win at Preston on their 17th visit.
The Albion started in defensive mode whilst they sussed out their opponents. Captain Pascal Gross aimed for goal with a free-kick from 35 yards out but his effort cleared the Preston crossbar. Albion had now settled and a neat move on 30 minutes involving Viktor Gyokeres and Alexis Mac Allister ended with a shot from Alireza Jahanbakhsh which Preston goalkeeper Connor Ripley saved at his near post.
Minutes later Preston's Jayden Stockley got clear through the middle but Jason Steele in the Brighton goal made an excellent save, getting down low to his left to turn the ball past the post. From the resultant corner defender Patrick Bauer saw his header hit the bar. Prior to the interval Mac Allister wasted a good opportunity to open the score but his shot was deflected wide. Half-time 0-0.
The Seagulls started the second-half brightly and efforts by Bernardo, Mac Allister and
Gyokeres went close to giving Albion the lead. It was no surprise when the Seagulls took the lead on 57 minutes when Mac Allister and Bernardo set-up Jahanbakhsh on the right
who smashed a shot across goal into the far top corner for a well-taken goal. 1-0.
Albion continued to dominate and on 75 minutes a brilliant dribble by Gross on the right
ended with a pass across goal to Mac Allister, who slotted the ball home. 2-0.
In the closing minutes Gyokeres fired wide when well-placed. Final-score 2-0.
VERDICT
Another excellent win for Albion's "shadow" eleven and further progress in the competition. Also - a first-ever win at Preston for the Albion, in seventeen attempts. Manchester United at home in the next round will be a tough one.
STATS
The Albion had 11 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8. Preston had 4 attempts at goal with 1 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9.
Albion line-up (4-4-2):- Jason Steele; Joel Veltman, Dan Burn, Haydon Roberts, Bernardo; Davy Propper, Max Sanders (Alex Cochrane 87), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Teddy Jenks 84), Pascal Gross (Capt); Alexis Mac Allister (Peter Gwargis 80), Viktor Gyokeres.
Subs not used: Robert Sanchez (G/K), Romaric Yapi, Lars Dendoncker.
Preston North End line-up (4-4-2):- Connor Ripley; Joe Rafferty, Patrick Bauer, Jordan Storey, Andrew Hughes; Tom Bayliss, Paul Gallagher (Capt) (Ben Pearson 72), Billy Bodin (Scott Sinclair 70), Brad Potts; Josh Harrop (Sean Maguire 71), Jayden Stockley.
Subs not used: Matthew Hudson (G/K), Ben Davies, Adam O'Reilly, Darnell Fisher.
Referee: Steve Martin (Staffordshire).
Yellow Card: Preston North End: 1 - Tom Bayliss.
Possession: Albion - 53%. Preston North End - 47%.
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.
* * * * * * *
26 SEPTEMBER 2020
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2
Maupay (40 pen) March (90 + 5 minutes )
V
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
Dunk (43og) Rashford (55) Fernandes (90 + 10 pen)
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER
Behind Closed Doors
For their third Premier League game of the 2020-2021 season the Albion faced Manchester
United behind closed doors at the Amex, "live" in front of the BT Sport cameras. In the teams
meetings last season United won both encounters, winning 3-1 at Old Trafford on the 10
November 2019 and 3-0 at the Amex on 30 June 2020.
After their excellent 3-0 win at Newcastle United on the 20 September the Albion had to make
one enforced change to their starting line-up, with Adam Lallana replacing the suspended
Yves Bissouma.
United joined the programme a week after the rest and in their first league game they surprisingly lost 1-3 at home to Crystal Palace on the 19 September. For this game United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made three changes to his starting line-up from the Palace game, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Nemanja Matic and Mason Greenwood replacing Timothy Fasu-Mensah, Scott McTominay and Daniel James.
An afternoon of enthralling drama and heartache for the Albion started on ten minutes with
Leandro Trossard sending in a crisply struck low shot which hit the United post with goalkeeper
David De Gea well beaten. Incredibly Trossard repeated his feat on 21 minutes, this time
striking the other post with a low shot with De Gea nowhere to be seen. Minutes later, more
luck for United as Adam Webster's header from a Neal Maupay cross struck the crossbar and
bounced over. At this stage Albion could have been 3-0 up with three points in the bank, with
less than 30 minutes played. On 33 minutes a fine United move ended with Mason Greenwood
netting but the goal was disallowed as Marcus Rashford had strayed offside in the build-up The
Seagulls deservedly took the lead on 40 minutes after the speedy Tariq Lamptey had been
felled in the box by Bruno Fernandes. The resultant penalty-kick was put away by Neal Maupay
with aplomb. 1-0.
Three minutes later Trossard gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position and the Albion paid the price as Fernandes free-kick was pulled back by Nemanja Matic where the unlucky Lewis Bunk diverted the ball into the Albion net off his heel. 1-1.
The Seagulls had been the better team first-half but the score-line did not reflect this fact. Half-time 1-1
On the re-start Albion were denied a penalty by VAR after Referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot as Aaron Connolly appeared to have been brought down by the trailing Paul Pogba, as the Albion striker bore down on goal - a harsh one this. Rashford then saw his goal rightfully disallowed for offside. On 54 minutes United took the lead with a classy goal. A beautifully flighted long pass by Fernandes sent Rashford away and the England international turned young defender Ben White twice before slotting the ball past Albion keeper Mathew Ryan. 1-2.
To their credit the Albion kept coming, as Solly March saw his well-placed shot hit the inside of De Gea's post and stay out and then the luckless Trossard saw his shot strike the crossbar and bounce back into play. Albion had now struck the United woodwork five times - a record for a single Premier League game. The highest drama was saved for time added on. Soon thereafter De Gea saved Trossard's shot from point-blank range and then on 94 minutes a cross by substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh to the far post was met by March who headed home from close-range for a more than deserved Albion equaliser. 2-2.
Everyone thought that was the end of the action/drama but don't you believe it. United swept
to the other end and forced a corner. The corner taken by Fernandes found Harry Maguire whose goal-bound header was headed off the Albion goal-line by March, to the joy of his team-mates. Referee Kavanagh then blew his whistle for the end of the game. As the teams were leaving the field of play, several United players lead by Captain Harry Maguire surrounded Referee Kavanagh claiming that Albion's Neal Maupay outstretched arm had handled the ball prior Solly March heading off the line and that the offence had occurred during the course of the game. Albion players became embroiled in the goings-on but Referee Kavanagh decided VAR should be consulted. VAR decided that Maupay had handled the ball and a penalty was awarded to United in the 100th minute of the game. Fernandes calmly fired home the penalty and the daylight robbery was complete. 2-3.
Unbelievable. Final-score 2-3.
Albion had 18 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 18.
Manchester United had 7 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 1 corner, free-kicks
conceded - 16.
VERDICT
This result was daylight robbery and lucky lucky Manchester Unted should be charged
with robbery. Albion hit the United woodwork on five occasions, a record for a single Premier
League game since statistics were recorded by OPTA Data since 2003-2004. Further, the
United winner was scored after Referee Chris Kavanagh had blown the final whistle. The Albion
were the better team in what was the most dramatic game staged at the Amex since its' opening
in 2011. The teams will meet again at the Amex in the Carabao Cup on the 30 September.
STATS
Albion line-up (3-4-3):- Mathew Ryan; Ben White, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Adam Webster; Tariq
Lamptey, Adam Lallana (Pascal Gross 75), Steven Alzate, Solly March; Leandro Trossard
Aaron Connolly (Alireza Jahanbakhsh 75), Neal Maupay. Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K),
Joel Veltman, Dan Burn, Bernardo, Jayson Molumby.
Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1):- David De Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof,
Harry Maguire (Capt), Luke Shaw; Paul Pogba (Fred 65), Nemanja Matic; Mason Greenwood
(Eric Bailly 83), Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Anthony Martial (Donny Van De Beek
90 + 1). Subs not used: Dean Henderson (G/K), Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Scott McTominay,
Jesse Lingard.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire). VAR: Simon Hooper.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 4 - Ben White, Lewis Dunk, Leandro Trossard, Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Manchester United: 2 - Nemanja Matic, Bruno Fernandes.
Possession: Albion - 54%. Manchester United - 46%.
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors
* * * * * * *
30 SEPTEMBER 2020
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0
V
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
McTominay (43) Mata (73) Pogba (80)
CARABAO CUP, FOURTH ROUND
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER
Behind Closed Doors
The Albion and United were back at the Amex, this time for a Carabao Cup Fourth Round
match, behind closed doors, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras. VAR was not being used on this one.
Following the drama of the Premier League fixture the previous weekend, as anticipated both teams named "shadow" elevens from the weekend with the Albion making nine changes, with Ben White and Lewis Dunk retained and United making ten changes, with only Victor Lindelof retained.
The match was played with rain and blustery wind prevalent throughout and both teams missed early opportunities with Odion Ighalo going close for United and Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Alexis Mac Allister likewise for the Seagulls. Just before the break Dan Burn brought down United's Juan Mata in a dangerous area and Mata's beautifully flighted free-kick was headed home by the unmarked Scott McTominay. 0-1.
Albion were unfortunate to be trailing at this stage. Half-time 0-1.
First action of the second-half saw Eric Bailly execute a fine tackle to stop Bernardo getting his shot away after he was put through. Neal Maupay substituted for the injured Jahanbakhsh on 50 minutes and this was followed by Leandro Trossard replacing Viktor Gyokeres on 63 minutes. These substitutions added to Albion's intensity and Jayson Molumby and Pascal Gross set-up Trossard whose finely struck goal-bound shot was kept out by a fine save by Dean Henderson in the United goal. The visitors made a double-change on 69 minutes with Paul Pogba replacing Daniel James and Marcus Rashford replacing Ighalo. The game was sealed on 73 minutes when Donny Van De Beek's pass found the impressive Mata who ran on leaving Lewis Dunk in his wake before slotting the ball past Albion keeper Jason Steele. The game was now virtually over. 0-2.
On 79 minutes Joel Veltman fouled Rashford and Pogba's well hit free-kick struck the luckless Veltman and found its' way into the Albion net off the crossbar. 0-3.
Game over and Albion were out of the Carabao Cup. Final-score 0-3.
VERDICT
Nothing like the drama and excitement of the weekend. United won the battle of the "shadow" elevens and rightly proceed to the Quarter-Finals where they will travel to Goodison Park to take on improving Everton.
STATS
Albion had 12 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 7. United had 10 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 7.
Albion line-up (3-4-3):- Jason Steele; Ben White, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Dan Burn; Joel Veltman, Jayson Molumby (Max Sanders 81), Pascal Gross, Bernardo; Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Neal Maupay 50), Viktor Gyokeres (Leandro Trossard 63), Alexis Mac Allister.
Subs not used: Robert Sanchez (G/K), Haydon Roberts, Alex Cochrane, Teddy Jenks.
Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1):- Dean Henderson; Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Brandon Williams; Scott McTominay, Fred (Jesse Lingard 81); Daniel James (Paul Pogba 69), Juan Mata (Capt), Donny Van De Beek; Odion Ighalo (Marcus Rashford 69).
Subs not used: Lee Grant (G/K), Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Mengi, Mason Greenwood.
Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Dan Burn, Joel Veltman. Manchester United: 1 - Victor Lindelof.
Possession: Albion - 51%. Manchester United - 49%.
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.
* * * * * * *
3 OCTOBER 2020
EVERTON 4
Rodriguez (52, 70) Calvert-Lewin (16) Mina (45 + 2
V
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2
Maupay (41) (Bissouma 90 + 2)
PREMIER LEAGUE - at GOODISON PARK - Behind Closed Doors
Twelfth-placed Albion (3 points from 3 games) travelled to Merseyside to take on high-flying third-placed Everton (9 points from 3 games) in a Premier League fixture at Goodison Park, behind closed doors and "live" in front of the BT Sport cameras. In last seasons encounters Albion won 3-2 at the Amex on the 26 October 2019 but lost 0-1 to the Toffees at Goodison Park on the 11 January 2020.
In their last Premier League outing the Albion lost 2-3 to Manchester United on a drama -filled afternoon at the Amex on the 26 September. Albion made one change to their starting line-up from the United game, with the suspension-free Yves Bissouma replacing Adam Lallana in midfield. The Albion were looking to extend an 8-match (3 wins/5 draws) away unbeaten run in the Premier, their last away loss being 1-3 at AFC Bournemouth on the 21 January 2020.
Last time out in the Premier Carlo Ancelotti's Everton had won 2-1 at Crystal Palace on the 26 September and for this game Everton had to make two enforced changes from the Palace game, with Tom Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson replacing the injured Allan and Andre Gomes.
Played throughout in atrocious wind and rain it was Everton who made the early running and Albion keeper Mathew Ryan was called upon to make two excellent saves from shots by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Seamus Coleman. On 16 minutes Everton took the lead when Tariq Lamptey and Leandro Trossard were slow to re-act to a short corner being taken and Gylfi Sigurdsson was allowed to cross to the far post where Calvert-Lewin rose above the sprawling Ben White to head home. A preventable goal. 0-1.
On 41 minutes Albion were gifted a goal when Lamptey crossed to Trossard whose shot was spilled by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford into the path of Neal Maupay who scrambled the ball
home for his fourth goal of the campaign. 1-1.
In time added-on another give-away goal by the Seagulls - as Solly March fouled Coleman and the free-kick taken by James Rodriguez was headed home by Yerry Mina, who out-jumped his marker, defender Adam Webster. Another preventable goal. 1-2.
Save for giving away two soft goals the Albion had competed well but that is not good enough if you are gifting goals to the opposition. Half-time 1-2.
At the start of the second-half former Ajax man Joel Veltman replaced the injured Lamptey
for his Premier League debut. Matters got worse for the Seagulls as Trossard needlessly gave the ball away to Calvert-Lewin who in turn found substitute Alex Iwobi on the left who crossed the ball to the far post where the unmarked Rodriguez was waiting to sweep the ball home, for yet another preventable goal - it's getting beyond a joke. 1-3.
Maupay and Trossard then spurned reasonable chances to get the Seagulls back in the game before a misjudgment by Steven Alzate allowed Everton to stage a quick counter-attack when Iwobi and Abdoulaye Doucoure set-up another goal for the unmarked Rodriguez. 1-4. In time
added-on Yves Bissouma pounced on a March headed pass to crash an unstoppable volley past keeper Pickford from 25 yards out, for the goal of the game. 2-4.
The first international break now ensues. Final-score 2-4.
VERDICT
The Albion missed a great opportunity of getting a result on Merseyside. Sloppy goals were conceded and goal opportunities were spurned. The squad needs to be coached on how to defend set-pieces, keep the ball in the middle of the park and convert their goal chances. Simple isn't it but it's the truth. Come on Graham Potter and assistants earn your corn. This was Albion's first away defeat in nine Premier League games.
STATS
The Albion had 11 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 10 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 14. Everton had 11 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 3 corners,
free-kicks conceded - 13.
Albion line-up (3-4-3):- Mathew Ryan; Ben White, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Adam Webster; Tariq Lamptey (Joel Veltman 46), Yves Bissouma, Steven Alzate (Pascal Gross 82), Solly March; Leandro Trossard, Neal Maupay, Aaron Connolly (Adam Lallana 66).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Dan Burn, Bernardo, Alexis Mac Allister.
Everton line-up (4-4-2):- Jordan Pickford; Seamus Coleman (Capt) (Fabian Delph 58), Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne; Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Davies, Gylfi Sigurdsson, James Rodriguez (Theo Walcott 78); Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison (Alex Iwobi 25).
Subs not used: Jonas Lossl (G/K), Niels Nkounkou, Bernard, Anthony Gordon.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire).
Yellow Card: Albion: 1 - Steven Alzate.
Possession: Albion - 57%. Everton - 43%.
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.
NEXT GAME - 18 OCTOBER 2020
CRYSTAL PALACE - away - Premier League - kick-off 14.00. "Live" on Sky Sports
TRANSFER NEWS
5 SEPTEMBER 2020 - The Albion announced that DAVID BUTTON (31) Goalkeeper - had joined WEST BROMWICH ALBION on a permanent move for a fee of £1 million.
24 SEPTEMBER 2020 - It was reported that long-serving DALE STEPHENS (31) Midfielder had joined BURNLEY on a 2-Year Contract for an initial fee of £1 million potentially rising to £2.5 million. Stephens joined Albion in 2014 from Charlton Athletic for a fee of £750k and made 223 appearances for the Seagulls.
1 OCTOBER 2020 - The Albion announced that they had signed ANDI EQIRI (21) Forward from LAUSANNE SPORT on a 4-Year Contract on undisclosed terms.
1 OCTOBER 2020 - The Albion announced that they had signed REDA KHADRA (19) Midfielder from BORUSSIA DORTMUND on a permanent move on undisclosed terms for the Under 23s.
3 OCTOBER 2020 - VIKTOR GYOKERES (22) Forward joined SWANSEA CITY on a season-long loan.
6 OCTOBER 2020 - It was announced by the Albion that they had signed Polish international JAKUB MODER (21) Midfielder from LECH POZNAN on a 5-Year Contract on undisclosed terms. As part of deal, player to return to Lech Poznan on loan.
6 OCTOBER 2020 - The Albion announced that they had signed MICHAL KARBOWNIK (19) Defender/Midfielder from LEGIA WARSAW on a 4-Year Contract on undisclosed terms. As part of deal, player to return to Legia Warsaw on a season-long loan.
6 OCTOBER 2020 - Former Albion boss CHRIS HUGHTON was appointed Manager of Championship side NOTTINGHAM FOREST on the 6 October.
Earlier in the day Forest had dismissed incumbent SABRI LAMOUCHI. Hughton had been out of work since leaving the Albion in May 2019.
Jack Kaye.
8 October 2020.