A comprehensive dismantling of a dismal Leeds United confirmed Brighton & Hove Albion’s promotion challenge is gathering momentum again. For the second game in a row, Chris Hughton’s side scored four to move within two points of the head of the table while the manner of their victory added to the pressure on Steve Evans, the Leeds United head coach.
Four goals inside 20 first half minutes — two from Tomer Hemed, a first goal of the season from Lewis Dunk and an own goal from Liam Cooper — were enough to secure the win, allowing Hughton’s side to ease off after the interval, satisfied that their work was done. For Evans and his players, there was only embarrassment and the sight of a grim-faced Massimo Cellino, the Leeds owner, added to the head coach’s discomfort.
Cellino is not known for his patience — he has dismissed five managers — and once Brighton had pressurised Leeds’ defence, they capitulated.
A strong run from Liam Rosenior took the Brighton left back into the penalty area and drew an ill-advised challenge from Scott Wootton, presenting Hemed with the chance to put Albion ahead from 12 yards. The Israel player’s finish, a chip down the centre of the goal, summed up the confidence of a forward in form. Leeds began to unravel and five minutes later another woeful mistake allowed Albion to double their lead. Sol Bamba, the captain, directed a pass straight to Sam Baldock and the forward advanced, exchanged passes with Dale Stephens and then benefited from a deflection off Liam Cooper, the Leeds centre back, which took the ball past Marco Silvestri.
A routine long ball then forcing Bamba to make a hurried clearance that was collected by Hemed who drilled a low shot beyond Silvestri. There was worse to come seven minutes before the interval when Dunk, the centre back, rose well at the far post to meet Dale Stephens’s cross to head his first goal of the campaign.
Advertisement
Brighton & Hove Albion (4-4-2): D Stockdale — B Saltor, C Goldson, L Dunk, L Rosenior — A Knockaert, B Kayal (sub: S Sidwell 77min), D Stephens, J Murphy — S Baldock (sub: J Skalak 74), T Hemed (sub: J Wilson 77). Substitutes not used: N Maenpaa, G Greer, I Calderon, B Zamora. Booked: Goldson, Rosenior, Baldock.
Leeds United (4-5-1): M Silvestri — S Wootton (sub: M Carayol, 46), S Bamba, L Cooper, C Taylor — L Coyle, T Diagouraga (sub: L Murphy), L Cook, L Bridcutt, A Mowatt — S Doukara (sub: L Erwin 74). Substitutes not used: B Peacok-Farrell, M Antenucci, T Adeyemi, G Beradi. Booked: Cooper, Taylor, Coyle, Mowatt.
Referee: P Bankes.