Murray’s magic keeps Brighton neap top

When Glenn Murray came to Brighton and Hove Albion during the summer transfer window the hope was that he could be a difference-maker. On Friday evening at The Amex he proved to be just that, pulling the Seagulls level late in the first half to earn a valuable draw against Aston Villa.

With both sides looking to solidify their spots in the table possession was at a premium early on. Led respectively by midfielders Mile Jedinak and Steve Sidwell both Villa and Brighton built attacking chances through measured passing efforts. For Villa the tone was a bit of a shift from recent performances where the side appeared to be a bit more tentative in creating attacking chances.

Having established a rhythm Villa started to find spaces in the Seagulls defense. Using the speed of Albert Adamoah Steve Bruce’s side found create havoc down the right flank. In the 19th minute Jedinak found Adomah via a long cross into the eighteen yard box. Although the Ghanaian international came down with the pass he was unable to settle it before Shane Duffy cleared it away.

Brighton would not be so lucky in the 20th minute. Adomah would lace in a low, bending free kick for Villa defender Nathan Baker. Baker’s header would be just beyond the reach of Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale for his first goal of the season.

But Brighton would strike back just before halftime.  Midfielder Anthony Knockaert had been pushing back Villa’s center-backs during the waning minutes of the first half, attempting to break down one of the stingiest defenses in the Football League. His efforts would be rewarded when his pass would find forward Glenn Murray from about twenty yards out. The Bournemouth loanee would not waste the chance knocking home the equalizer for his tenth goal of the season.

Despite the excitement late in the first half neither side seemed capable of mounting much of an effort in the second. Adomah nearly gave the road supporters something to cheer for in the 70th minute with a low shot to the far post. However Stockdale made the most of his chance at redemption, parrying the presumptive match-winner wide.

Brighton (10-5-2, 35 points) will look to keep their home unbeaten form alive next Saturday when they host Fulham (10am EST). As it stands, the Seagulls have a six point advantage over Huddersfield Town (9-2-5, 29 points) for the second of the Sky Bet Championship. The top two spots in the competition otherwise known as the English Football League Championship will be automatically promoted to the Premier League.

As for Villa (4-10-3, 22 points) the draw keeps them right in the middle of the pack for promotion. A victory at home against Cardiff City would go a long way towards improving their odds in the EFL.

MATCH SUMMARY

Aston Villa-Pierluigi Gollini, James Chester, Nathan Baker, Jordan Amavi, Alan Hutton, Mile Jedinak, Gary Gardner (Jack Grealish 67′), Ashley Westwood, Gabriel Abonglahor (Jordan Ayew 55′), Jonathan Kodija, and Albert Adamoah

Goal- Baker (20′)

Yellow Cards- Westwood (58′) and Kodija (90+3′)

Brighton-David Stockdale, Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Gaetan Bong, Bruno, Steve Sidwell, Dale Stephens, Jiri Skalak, Anthony Knockaert (Oliver Norwood 79′), Sam Baldock (Jaime Murphy 72′), and Glenn Murray

Goal-Murray (45′)

Yellow Card- Dunk (90+1′)