Another home game and another reason why I am not a professional football manager.
Last time out I was questioning the sense in letting a left winger take a free kick right footed only to see Lua Lua unleash a howitzer into the roof of the net.
This time out I was bemoaning Guy Poyet’s decision to replace Glenn Murray with new signing Fran Sandaza.
Six minutes into injury time, the Spaniard with the flair hair pounced to send the supporters crazy and the Seagulls to the top of the league.
In fairness, I was not alone in letting out a very audible sigh or resignation when the fourth official held up Murray’s number.
Up until that moment, the League One Berbatov had given the visiting Oldham defence a tough time and – despite not having any sight at goal himself – a marauding Murray had set up his shot happy partner Ashley Barns with a number of chances.
Barnes, a summer signing from Plymouth, had already wasted a host of chances but – as the Match of the Day pundits will tell you – the mark of a good striker is picking yourself up and getting in the right position again. Barnes did just that – although a more clinical finisher could have seen the Seagulls out of sight long before Barnes eventually nodded home on 44 minutes.
His towering header drew Albion level after the home side’s defence was breached on the half hour.
Oldham, it would be fair to say, had the better of the early exchanges but failed to carve open any real chances – with Casper Ankegren saving well from an early snap shot.
With Liam Bridcutt and Gary Dicker switching from midfield powerhouses to the pedstrian every other seven minutes, Brighton struggled to get a grip on the game and were lucky to go in level – with Oldham urging unprecedented numbers forward for an away team.
However, the second half saw a change in fortunes, with Kishishev tightening things up after his introduction on the hour.
The Bulgarian’s defensive duties allowed Dicker to flourish and the Seagulls finally began releasing Kazenga Lua Lua in more threatening positions.
It looked though like the Albion would be forced to settle for a draw as the match became increasingly niggly and disjointed.
But just as throngs of South Stand regulars were heading for the exits, Inigo Calderon had a shot cleared off the line and Fran Sandaza pounced to lash home his first for the Seagulls.
Player Ratings
Casper Ankergren
Six. Not much to do. Spilled a couple of soft shots.
Inigo Calderon
Seven. Caught too far forward a couple of times but had a hand in the winner and captained well when things got heated.
Marcos Painter
Seven. Rarely troubled.
Adam El Abd
Another stand-out performance.
Tommy Elphick
Six. Solid throughout but let down by one lapse in concentration which was nearly costly and a random back pass which almost landed the Seagulls in trouble.
Elliott Bennett
Seven. The club’s most consistent player. A manager’s dream.
Kazenga Lua Lua
Seven. Not as explosive as last time out at Withdean – but a threat nevertheless.
Liam Bridcutt
Six. Good at times – took too long to release the ball at others.
Gary Dicker
Seven. Better once paired with Kishishev and always calm on the ball.
Glenn Murray
Seven. Brilliant hold-up play but never got a sniff at goal.
Ashley Barnes.
Six. A good goal but missed at least four chances you would expect a centre forward to stick away.
Fran Sandaza
Seven. Didn’t really do anything – other than notch the winner!
Radostin Kishishev
Seven. Added an air of authority in the middle.
Manager Rating
Eight. Made the midfield change which was needed and his sub scored the winner.
Opponent Rating
Seven. Mainly because he was my first ever ‘Favourite Brighton player’ back in the day.
