Hughton Hails Seagulls Character

Chris Hughton hailed the character in his Brighton side after they picked up a huge 2-1 win at Crystal Palace. Anthony Knockaert escaped with only a yellow card when he fouled Luka Milivojevic in the opening minute at Selhurst Park, and he remained on the pitch to score a superb winning goal that took his side level on 33 points with Palace, and more crucially closer to safety.

Brighton have recorded successive league victories after a winless start to 2019, therefore easing what had been the growing threat of relegation. Glenn Murray had earlier produced a similarly fine finish to give them the visitors the lead, before Milivojevic’s second-half penalty.

Related: Hodgson Incensed By Knockaert Tackle

That Brighton have rediscovered the momentum required to preserve their Premier League status eases the pressure that had been building on Hughton. He said: “The Anthony Knockaert foul, I was very close to it and what you had was two players who went equally for the ball.

My first impression was neither was going to get booked. “I felt the right decision was a yellow card. Yes, I was going to take him off before the goal and it didn’t change my mind. “At 1-1 if you had offered me a draw, I would have taken it. We’re the away team.

They’ve got a penalty so early in the second half, they’re in the ascendancy. “The team showed great character after that. I don’t know if ‘bonus’ is the right word but three points here, particularly with how the second half panned out, is a big win for us.”