Brighton moved even closer to promotion with a battling 1-0 win over Paul Ince’s Notts County. A second half goal from right back, Inigo Calderon was enough to seal a vital win as Southampton could only manage a draw at Charlton.
The results meant that Brighton moved 10 points clear at the top of the table with two games in hand over second placed Huddersfield Town. The win also put The Seagulls 12 points clear of Southampton, with the chance of extending the gap to 18 points as they play twice more before Southampton next play a game.
Poyet’s men looked a bit off the pace throughout, but it was the sixth game of a hectic March, with two games still left before April.
Watched by Eric Cantona and Gianfranco Zola, Albion created a host of chances in the first half. Wood could have scored twice, as well as Murray as they both had clear cut chances in the six yard box. Elliott Bennett also tested the County keeper with a dipping 25 yard shot.
Despite Albion’s dominance, they failed to score before half time. Worrying they lost Adam El Abd to a hamstring strain late in the half, and he was replaced by Tommy Elphick.
County came more in to the game in the second half, as Brighton looked a bit laboured, needlessly giving the ball away on many occasions. The introduction of Craig Noone did the trick as his first involvement in the game was crossing for Calderon’s opener just after the hour.
It came during Brighton’s worst period of the game, but it was enough to win the match. Not much else happened in the second half, County rarely threatened until injury time, but Brighton held on for the points to make it 6 wins out of 6 in March.
Player Ratings
Casper Ankergren
6
Inigo Calderon
8
Marcos Painter
7
Gordon Greer
7
Adam El Abd
7
Elliott Bennett
7
Liam Bridcutt
6
Gary Dicker
6
Matt Sparrow
6
Glenn Murray
6
Chris Wood
6
Tommy Elphick
7
Craig Noone
7
6
