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Brighton end barren run with polished away performance to stifle Leeds

Brighton and Hove Albion's Neal Maupay celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Elland Road - PA
Brighton and Hove Albion's Neal Maupay celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Elland Road - PA

Brighton have played well and failed to win far too often but nobody can say they did not deserve a much-needed victory as they inflicted a third successive defeat on Leeds United for the first time under Marcelo Bielsa.

It was not as humiliating as losing to Crawley Town in the FA Cup, but it was another poor performance from Leeds, lacking most of the things that have made them so enjoyable to watch since they returned to the Premier League.

Far too many players in white shirts were off the pace, but two of their summer signings, Rodrigo and Raphinha were particularly poor, strolling through the match with all the urgency of a lockdown visit to the supermarket.

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Brighton outplayed them in the first half and snuffed them out in the second, doggedly defending the early lead Neal Maupay had given them.

“We showed great personality as well as quality,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter, whose side saw less of the ball than they are used to, but were far more effective with it. “Apart from maybe one game, the performance levels have been quite good but if you don’t get results then you are going to get some criticism. Our challenge has always been to turn performances into results.”

Brighton and Hove Albion's Neal Maupay bumps arms with manager Graham Potter - PA
Brighton and Hove Albion's Neal Maupay bumps arms with manager Graham Potter - PA

This was not the Leeds we are used to seeing. They looked jaded in body and mind and even the second half fightback fizzled out after a bright start. Given the high energy style demanded by Bielsa, it is a troubling sign.

As bad as Leeds were, they should have opened the scoring inside five minutes. Luke Ayling did well to find Ezgjan Alioski’s overlapping run down the left, who in turn sent a brilliant ball fizzing across the six yard where Rodrigo was arriving, but the Spain international failed to make contact with a half-hearted side footed finish.

Brighton had been opened up too easily, but it was not a sign of what was to come. Instead, they took control and Neal Maupay will be annoyed at himself for trying to win a penalty rather than get a shot away when he was played in by silky through ball from Alexis Mac Allister.

Maupay was too aware of Ayling behind him, the striker anticipating contact that did not come – not in the area at least – and falling to the floor. There may have been the slightest brush of socks, but Maupay could and should have stayed on his feet.

Leeds did not wake up and fell behind when Brighton put together a lovely, flowing attacking move. It began inside their own half through Pascal Gros and Ben White and was finished off superbly by Leandro Trossard, who played a one two with the effervescent Mac Allister, who kept calm, got his head up in the box and picked out Mapuay unmarked at the far post to side foot home.

Brighton deserved the lead and continued to dominate. Leeds were sloppy with their passing, out manoeuvred in midfield and frequently exposed as Brighton put balls in behind their defence.

The visitors very nearly got a second before half time, Trossard’s cross deflected on to his crossbar by Ayling.

Whether it was the absence of Kalvin Phillips as their midfield pivot or merely down to the heavy, stodgy pitch, Leeds could not move the ball quickly or accurately enough. Brighton’s confidence soared and the closest their hosts came to an equaliser was a shot that curled narrowly wide from Jack Harrison.

As tends to happen to a side not used to winning, Brighton began to focus on holding on to their lead rather than extending it. Leeds sensed their vulnerability but could not capitalise on it. The 10-day break before they travel to Newcastle may have come at a good time.

“We can defend much better, and we can create much more danger,” said Bielsa. “That is the description of our game, which wasn’t good. We should have managed a better result. Normally our opponents have more difficulty managing the ball than Brighton.”


04:51 PM

FT: Leeds 0 Brighton 1

That's Brighton's first win in 10 and a polished away performance. They were potent offensively in the first 45 minutes and defended their penalty box brilliantly in the second. Not many teams will restrict Leeds to so few chances.


04:50 PM

93 minutes

Leeds have made a bit of a mess of putting the ball in the mixer but Poveda does swing a cross in that is met by a Brighton head.


04:49 PM

92 minutes

Good feet and composure from Propper to keep the ball in the corner of the Leeds half. Then it is Tau's turn to frustrate the men in white but he lets the ball behind for a goal kick. One last attack on the way!


04:48 PM

91 minutes

Big header by Webster to clear an Ayling cross and then block the follow up shot. Dunk stays in his feet well to block Roberts' low cross.


04:47 PM

90 minutes

That was good from Leeds but the final pass from Poveda to Ayling on the overlap was loose. Brighton try to take the ball to the corner but fail to do so. THREE minutes of added time to come!


04:46 PM

88 minutes

Bissouma in the right place at the right time to snuff out Leeds. The home team keep the pressure on though and force Brighton into a scramble in their own half. They couldn't clear Ayling's cross, but eventually they win a foul when Bamford kicks away Veltman's standing leg.


04:43 PM

86 minutes

All hands to the pump for Brighton now as they close in on a first win since November. Harrison ventures into the box and goes down under a challenge from Vetlman but nothing doing. A loose pass goes behind for a goal kick and Brighton breathe again.


04:41 PM

84 minutes

Klich takes a risk in the middle of the pitch for Leeds but it works out for him as he wins a foul. Poveda is now on to threaten from the right, but is not quite clicking for the home team.


04:39 PM

82 minutes

Webster drives forward yet again with the ball and lets fly from 25 yards but Casilla was equal to it. Roberts makes a good run into a threatening position but the flag goes up.


04:37 PM

81 minutes

Brighton make another change. The potential match-winner Maupay is replaced by Propper.


04:36 PM

78 minutes

Brighton are not keeping the ball well enough, Tau has given it away cheaply on a few occasions. Leeds are targeting March on crosses but he sticking to his task and head behind for a corner. The delivery is poor.


04:33 PM

75 minutes

Gross swings a corner towards the back post but Leeds clear. In the next phase of the attack Casilla comes off his line to catch a diagonal ball. The game has gone slightly scrappy which suits Brighton.


04:29 PM

72 minutes

Brighton are slowly starting to sink deeper, perhaps understandably after a three-game week and a barren run without a win. Tau is about to come on to offer them an outlet.


04:26 PM

69 minutes

Brighton with a wave of attacks but Maupay and Trossard are perhaps guilty of trying to be too intricate as they try and one-two their way through the middle of the penalty area.


04:24 PM

66 minutes

Hernandez replaces Alioski. Dallas goes to left-back. Harrison tires to swing a cross in with his left from the right but it is too deep and Brighton let it fly behind.


04:22 PM

64 minutes

Leeds have brought on Tyler Roberts in midfield and are about to introduce Hernandez. Diligent defensive work from March again, then Harrison's flick from the by line fails to find a home short. Roberts shoots on target from a tight angle, but this is more like Leeds.


04:20 PM

62 minutes

Good chance for Brighton to score their second but Mac Allister shoots over the bar. Mac Allisters is then replaced by Yves Bissouma. Good defending by White for Brighton but at the expense of a corner, that results in a tame header to Sanchez.


04:15 PM

58 minutes

Brighton responded with a spell of pressure of their own but they do not turn it into a shot. Leeds go down the other end at pace but Rafinha's cross is too strong and evades everyone. Webester then steps forward and releases Veltman down the right but his pull back does not find a blue shirt.


04:13 PM

56 minutes

That was wonderful skill from Rafinha to beat his man and swing in a cross but Burn was there at the back post to head clear with Bamford lurking.


04:12 PM

54 minutes

Brighton still look very well organised at the back and comfortable when Leeds have possession. Bamford has struggled to link play against three big centre-halves.


04:08 PM

51 minutes

Better from Leeds. Klich releases Rafinha who dribbles into the penalty area and tries to fee Bamford. The ball is too strong for him but comes to Harrison on the right who curls a shot just wide of the far post.


04:06 PM

49 minutes

Brighton applying the pressure again, this time it was Veltman who stepped in to make an interception before his shot across goal was blocked. Maupay tries to work a yard in the box to let fly but the ball just won't drop for him.


04:04 PM

47 minutes

Leeds straight into a spell of possession with Brighton remaining in their 5-2-3 shape without the ball. Sharp play from Mac Allister though to get in front of Dallas and wins a free-kick. I guess we shouldn't be surprised to see a player called Mac Allister playing well at Elland Road.


04:02 PM

We're back under way!

Leeds get us started, needing to create far more.


03:47 PM

HT: Leeds 0 Brighton 1

Very nearly the perfect away performance from Brighton. They have not conceded a clear-cut chance and have always looked dangerous on the counter. White and Webster have been particularly good at creating space by driving forward with the ball from deep.


03:45 PM

45 minutes

There will be two minutes of added time.


03:42 PM

42 minutes

Brighton keeping the ball in the corner as half time approaches. Leeds get the chance to counter but Rafinha's choice of pass was poor. Brighton break again and Trossard is brought down in full flight and Ayling is booked.


03:39 PM

38 minutes

Leeds enjoying a spell of pressure but they are not threatening to turn it into clear opportunities. Potter will be very pleased with his team's performance so far.


03:35 PM

34 minutes

Brighton have had less possession than Leeds but they have looked after it well when they do get on the ball. This time Webster steps forward and brings the ball into midfield in so much space. Leeds have looked vulnerable to Brighton players doing that.


03:32 PM

31 minutes

A bit better that from Leeds but Alioski's cross was tame. Sanchez has not had a save of note to make so far. This time Dunk is there to head behind for a corner.


03:29 PM

29 minutes

Leeds are really struggling to control both the ball and Brighton - they look stretched every time Brighton regain possession. So much space on the pitch for the away team. Mac Allister almost slips a pass through to Maupay.


03:27 PM

26 minutes

Brighton threatening from a set-piece. Cooper's header lopped up in the air for Dunk to head back across goal but Burn could not direct the ball on target on the stretch. Then White drives through the Leeds midfield but sees his shot charged down.


03:25 PM

Brighton's opening goal


03:24 PM

23 minutes

Brighton swing a corner in but Casilla punches clear. Brighton sustain the attack and Trossard skips into the right side of the box and his driven shot deflects off Ayling and crashes against the bar! Some of Brighton's football have been really slick so far.


03:21 PM

21 minutes

Quick feet from Rahinha and he tried to slip a through ball to Rodrigo but Dunck shuffled across to cut it out. Ben White makes a forward run from midfield to win a throw for Brighton. He is such a well-rounded player.


03:19 PM

19 minutes

Almost a swift reply from Leeds as Bamford gets across the near post but failed to direct his flicked attempt on target. Leeds will still fancy that they have the firepower to turn this around.


03:18 PM

GOOOOAAALLL! Brighton take the lead

What a wonderful move, picture book football from Potter's team. Mac Allister was shaping up to shoot at the edge of the box, but he played a one-two with Trossard and squared the ball for Maupay to turn the ball into an empty net. That's the kind of goal Brighton have threatened to score previously without converting.


03:16 PM

16 minutes

Klich takes on an ambitious shot from distances but it was always rising.


03:14 PM

13 minutes

Maupay barrels into Casilla when competing for a cross but the Leeds goalkeeper claimed it well. The Brighton striker is making a nuisance of himself in characteristic fashion.


03:10 PM

10 minutes

Brighton with a strong appeal for a penalty after Maupay went down under the challenge of Ayling. The Brighton striker ran across the front of the defender but there was very little contact there. Maupay was going down looking for it and was fortunate not to be booked for simulation.


03:08 PM

8 minutes

Leeds try to get Harrison in behind but Sanchez comes off his line to gather. Brighton are dropping into a back five when they don't have the ball with Solly March slotting in at left wing-back.


03:06 PM

5 minutes

The pitch at Elland Road looks very heavy, a close up of the turf looks more like something from Doncaster racecourse. Bielsa cannot be happy with that, it's an ongoing problem at Leeds.

The home team launch their first menacing attack but Alioski's low cross along the six-yard line just about evades the right foot of Rodrigo.


03:02 PM

2 minutes

Ben White is playing central midfield it looks like, with Bissouma on the bench. He could drop in to back in a back four though with Dan Burn pushed out to left-back in certain phases of play. Maupay starting down the middle. Both sides enjoying some possession early on. Webster gets Brighton on the attack with a driving run but Cooper clears Trossard's cross.


03:00 PM

KICK OFF!

After both sets of players take the knee, Brighton get us going.


02:58 PM

The players are on their way out

A front three of Trossard, Mac Allister and Maupay for Brighton today.


02:46 PM

The managers speak


02:39 PM

Ben White is back at Leeds

"All of us here, we admire him as a player and we respect him and love him as a human being," Bielsa said about White in his pre-match news conference.

"He was an excellent professional as well as a team-mate. I hope that his career allows him to grow because he deserves it."


02:20 PM

The two teams the old fashioned way

Leeds: Casilla, Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Alioski, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison, Bamford.

Brighton: Sanchez, Webster, Dunk, Burn, Veltman, White, Gross, Mac Allister, March, Trossard, Maupay.


02:04 PM

Brighton team and subs


02:03 PM

Leeds team and subs


01:59 PM

Two of the most stylish teams in the league meet

If the Premier League awarded points for commendable performances, impressive underlying statistics and pleasing aesthetics then Brighton and Leeds would be right up there.

As it is, both teams seem to divide opinion although Brighton's league position of 17th is far more perilous. Depending on your personal philosophy on football and life, Graham Potter and Marcelo Bielsa either more style than substance, pulling the wool over people's eyes thanks to a reputation for tactical invention, or are two outstanding coaches who have improved players and have given their clubs a fresh identity.

For all the carping about Bielsa and Leeds not changing their style to tighten up defensively, they have won three of their last five league games and are 11 points clear of the relegation zone. It's seems remarkably ungenerous to say that is anything other than a good place for a newly promoted side to be as we approach halfway.

Brighton have not won a league game since November 21st when they took all three points from Villa Park, and we keep being told that scoring goals is a problem. That said, seven teams have scored fewer than them including Arsenal, but only two teams have conceded more.

“We have had 18 games and – apart from one and a half games – our performance level has been, I would say, better than at any point last year,” said Potter.

“The problem we have had is that we haven’t had the points and the results that follow that."

Full team news on the way shortly. Brighton welcome back midfielder Yves Bissouma from suspension, while Steven Alzate could feature following an illness. Six players remain out, including new signing Jakub Moder and Danny Welbeck. Leeds do welcome back Kalvin Phillips in midfield after suspension.

Full team news on the way shortly.