On a day when the match appeared almost secondary to incidents in the stands, Brighton ensured that promotion to the Premier League remains in their own hands thanks to goals from Sam Baldock, Jiri Skalak and Tomer Hemed to defeat the already-relegated Charlton on another day of protest from the London club’s furious supporters.
Following Burnley’s win at Preston on Friday and Middlesbrough’s draw with Ipswich, Albion’s win means all three automatic promotion contenders are on 87 points with two games remaining. Chris Hughton’s team, who have the worst goal difference of the trio, travel to Boro on the final day in what is likely to be a shootout.
The manager said Brighton are “desperate” to be promoted but believes there is “equal pressure on all three clubs” even though his side would have been considered dark horses at the campaign’s outset.
Brighton certainly deserve credit for keeping focused in a poisonous atmosphere. After their demotion was confirmed by the midweek draw at Bolton, Charlton fans again turned up the heat on the Belgian owner, Roland Duchâtelet, and chief executive, Katrien Meire, who last week “apologised for our mistakes”. While sightings of Duchâtelet at the club have been rare this season, he held talks with José Riga about the manager’s future last Thursday.
Riga confirmed a short meeting took place but no decision has been taken on whether he will remain in charge next season. Asked if he knew how to solve the club’s problems Riga said: “It’s really difficult to say but communication is not enough. It’s about acting and decisions, there needs to be collaboration.”
That looks a long way off. Before kick-off around 5,000 supporters marched to The Valley singing anti-Duchâtelet songs with the visitors offering plenty of support. At one point in the first half the away end were chanting “We want Roland out” but the standout moment came a minute into the game when home fans launched hundreds of beach balls and balloons on to the pitch. The demonstration forced a six-minute delay, allowing for the pitch to be cleared. Meire was pictured smirking from the directors’ box.
The significance of a win for Brighton could almost be forgotten in such a surreal atmosphere, yet their concentration did not wane and within seconds of the restart they were ahead. A pass from Jiri Skalak was knocked down by Connor Goldson and Baldock was on hand to sweep home from close range.
Hughton was pleased by their reaction. “It was evident there would be protests,” he said. “We had warned players it would be early and to use the opportunity to keep warm but it was impossible to prepare for it.”
Charlton did not play badly and had several first-half chances. In the 12th minute Morgan Fox connected with Ademola Lookman’s corner, only for his effort to be smothered by David Stockdale. Jordan Cousins saw a strike blocked by Hemed and Johann Gudmundsson also found the side-netting.
The match was halted again seconds into the second half due to another deluge from the stands and when play was allowed to continue Baldock almost repeated his trick, shooting across goal and narrowly wide. But then Brighton’s lead was taken away in the 51st minute. Cousins’ cross from the left evaded three players, leaving a loosely marked Gudmundsson to tap in from six yards.
Brighton’s response was quite impressive and they regained the advantage within four minutes. Skalak took Beram Kayal’s clever feed in his stride and drove an unstoppable effort and into the top right corner.
While that was a strike fitting enough to win any game, Hemed made sure of three vital points in injury time from the penalty spot after Rod Fanni brought down Anthony Knockaert.
