Brighton’s remarkable transformation from a side that struggled against relegation all winter to one with real Premier League potential continues. Chris Hughton’s side stretched their lead to four points at the top of the Championship after victory over the team that had been in second place, thanks to an early goal from the Israeli striker Tomer Hemed.
Hull, who have not won in Brighton in half a century, rarely looked likely to end that doleful run and their manager, Steve Bruce, cut a frustrated figure on the touchline. His team had plenty of possession but lacked any cutting edge up front against a side that has not conceded a goal in three home matches.
Brighton are nothing like the side that found goalscoring so difficult last season. Their striker Sam Baldock was outstanding alongside Hemed, a summer signing from the Spanish side Almería, and the feelgood factor in these parts was completed when Bobby Zamora made his return, 12 years after leaving the club. He came on as a 77th-minute substitute to a roar that might have been heard in Kent.
It was an emotional afternoon. Matt Grimstone, who died in last month’s Shoreham air show disaster, was on the groundstaff at Brighton’s training base in Lancing and his friend Jacob Schilt, another casualty of the crash, was a lifelong fan of the Seagulls. Both were on their way to play for Worthing United on the day of the airshow.
There were tributes before the match to everyone who died in what was the worst disaster in Sussex since the second world war. Albion’s squad has been deeply affected by the tragedy that put football in perspective. Never has Abide With Me sounded more heartfelt.
Hughton said: “What we saw was the club and community coming together and the game was a fitting tribute. It has been a difficult period for the club and I’m especially grateful to Hull, whose supporters were very dignified. That emotion can drain you or motivate you, and we certainly started the game as if inspired.”
Liam Rosenior, who moved from Hull during the summer, made his full home debut for the Championship leaders. The midfielder was busy in the early stages when Baldock caused confusion in the Hull defence and Hemed swept home his fourth goal of the season from close range.
Kazenga LuaLua, who scored the first Championship goal of the season here against Nottingham Forest last month, and Hemed continued to make the Hull defence uncomfortable and the only downside for Brighton is that LuaLua, booked in the first half, will now miss Tuesday’s visit of Rotherham.
Bruce made a tactical switch on the half-hour, with Tom Huddlestone coming on for David Meyler to add some bite to the midfield. Chuba Akpom went close with a snap-shot into the side-netting, but Brighton by then might have been three goals clear.
After the interval, Baldock continued to cause the Hull defence all sorts of problems and went close to doubling their score, while Ahmed Elmohamady brought a couple of sharp saves out of David Stockdale, who three seasons ago was in the Hull team that lost here.
Hughton admitted he never thought his side would be in this position, but Brighton’s fans are daring to dream.
