Brighton remained three points clear at the top of League One after a comfortable performance infront of the Sky cameras – but could have stretched their lead further had the visitors not been gifted a controversial injury-time spot-kick by an inept decision by the match officials.
Kazenga Lua Lua’s long-range howitzer looked to be sending the Seagulls to another three points until two minutes after the 90 had elapsed – when Bournemouth snatched a point from 12 yards.
A hopeful punt into the Brighton half was met by the peerless Tommy Elphick. The defender appeared to handle the ball during the challenge and the referee – who had previously failed to dismiss Bournmouth’s Michael Symes despite a studs up challenge which broke the home team goalie’s nose and an elbow on Elphick – signalled for a free kick on the edge of the home box.
However, despite no complaints from the gathered Bournemouth players, the linesman flagged and, after a short discussion, the referee decided that being a mere five yards away from the incident was clearly not good enough. If the linesman thought it was a penalty from 40 yards away and looking through half a dozen bodies then it must have been.
Bournemouth dispatched the penalty, celebrated like they had won the league (and not just their cup final) and disappeared down the south coast with a one point their physical play did not deserve.
Brighton struggled to break down a resolute away defence, with the wasteful Ashley Barnes blazing wide the only two good chances which fell the home side’s way.
Lua Lua again proved his worth despite a slightly off-par and at times too greedy performance, with the 30 yard low drive which gave the Seagulls a deserved second half lead.
Adam El Abd and Elphick were again Herculean at the back and Marcos Painter and Inigo Calderon enjoyed their best performances of the season to date.
Gary Dicker controlled the midfield well, but Radostin Kishishev was too often guilty of forcing the pass and gifting possession away.
Barnes worked hard with little reward while Glenn Murray – operating in his new-look deeper role managed to look both impishly swaggering and barrel-chestedly strong. The only thing Murray lacks currently is a goal-grabber to take advantage of his marauding play.
Another point and another point clearer at the top. But for the second week in a row the Seagulls failed to build on a lead and suffered from conceeding late-on.
This time though they could be forgiven for casting an angry eye in the direction of the officials.
Player Ratings
Casper Ankergren
Six. No real saves to make but commanded defence well and kicking was sound.
Inigo Calderon
Eight. Best performance this season and back to his swashbuckling best.
Marcos Painter
Seven. Not as attack-minded as Calderon but would have a good job to overlap Lua Lua even if he was.
Adam El Abd
Eight. Defensive lynchpin.
Tommy Elphick
Seven. Another good performance.
Elliott Bennett
Seven. All round play superb but made the wrong decisions when twice running at the away team back four.
Kazenga Lua Lua
Seven. Slightly low-key game. Until THAT goal.
Gary Dicker
Seven. Toiled long and hard but that killer final ball was sometimes missing.
Radostin Kishishev
Six. His experience cannot be over-looked, but guilty of forcing the issue at times.
Ashley Barnes.
Five. In the team to score goals and is not taking his chance. Which is a shame as his overall play is improving.
Glenn Murray
Seven. Good performance in the lin-up role – but in dropping deep rarely gets into goal-scoring positions.
Liam Bridcutt
Six. Not much time to influence the play.
Crisitan Baz
Six. Neat short passing but no real time to impress.
Manager Rating
Six. Top marks for keeping to the passing game, but could perhaps have taken Barnes off and introduced an extra midfield body in closing stages.
Opponent Rating
Six. Spoiling tactics ended up working out.
