Mid-way through the first half of this game, Brighton rolled a short free-kick to Newcastle loanee Kazenga Lua Lua. The left-winger went to kick it with his right foot, mis-controlled it and fell over.
The entire block near me groaned. Some swore. Almost all of them wondered, in less polite terms than this, why on earth a left-winger was taking a free-kick with his right foot.
What. A. Waste. Ruddy hell Poyet.
Fast-forward half an hour or so and those same fans felt sillier than a Premiership star forced to pay for sex as Lua Lua unleashed what can only be described as a howitzer into the roof of the MK Dons net.
A howitzer from that right foot. The one we all thought was just for standing on.
Until Lua Lua’s moment of magic, the match-up had been far from inspiring – an inspid and rain-soaked Withdean special. But the Congolese starlet’s strike was one of those ‘Worth the admission price alone’ moments – and as any Seagull fan will testify, the Theatre of Trees has not seen too many of them over the years. In fact, even before his wonder strike, Lua Lua had show the sort of fleet-footed trickery which made you think he will cause a few defenders a few problems this season. And will also probably get him kicked a lot.
Credit has to go to Gus Poyet, who played a waiting game with Newcastle to snaffle up Lua Lua when many Brighton fans were moaning we needed a quick fix.
The madcap manager is building a foreign legion of exciting talent down on the south coast – and for the 6,000 odd fans who braved the wet weather for the visit of Franchise Football, the signs were hugely encouraging.
Glenn Murray tormented the Dons defence throughout, going close on more than once occasional before clinching victory with a diving header from a cross more inviting than an afternoon offering Coleen a shoulder to cry on.
Ashley Barnes looked more at home in a front two, Adam El Abd (despite nearly killing two MK Dons players with hilariously late tackles) was herculean alongside the ever-impressive Tommy Elphick, and Elliott Bennett was his Energiser Bunny on speed self.
One slight disappointment was the central midfield pairing of Matt Sparrow and Radostin Kishishev – with the former often late in the tackle and the later sloppy with the ball.
But only the grumpiest of Withdean regulars would have left the ground with anything other than an unusual sense of mild euphoria.
Player Ratings
Casper Ankergren
Six. Not really tested but not really convincing. Seemed to be being taught to catch in the pre-match warm-up.
Inigo Calderon
Six. Got forward quite well, but yet to re-capture his rampaging form of last season.
Marcos Painter
Seven. A troubled first 20 minutes but provided the foundation for Lua Lua’s star turn.
Adam El Abd
Eight.
Tommy Elphick
Eight.
Elliott Bennett
Eight. Quality with the ball and without.
Matt Sparrow
Six. Worked hard and neat and tidy, but not firing on all cylinders yet.
Radostin Kishishev
Six. The weak link at times and not as keen to collect the ball from the back four as Alan Navarro or Gary Dicker.
Lua Lua
Nine. What. A. Goal. Delivery looks to have improved as well.
Glenn Murray
Eight. Tireless work-rate, nice goal and superb link up play.
Ashley Barnes
Six. Much better in a 442.
Gary Dicker
Six. On for Matt Sparrow and slotted in nicely. Caught with the ball late on.
Jamie Smith
Six. Normal busy self.
Six. Worked hard when introduced late-on.
Manager Rating
Eight. Purely for having the patience to wait for Lua Lua.
Opponent Rating
Six. Looked like an estate agent.
