Six things we learnt from Brighton's 3-0 win over Reading

Are they on their way? Lucky charm and double figures. Here are six things we learnt from Brighton & Hove Albion's 3-0 win over Reading.
Reading's Liam Moore gets to grips with Glenn Murray in this evening's Championship clash at the Amex. Picture by PW Sporting PicsReading's Liam Moore gets to grips with Glenn Murray in this evening's Championship clash at the Amex. Picture by PW Sporting Pics
Reading's Liam Moore gets to grips with Glenn Murray in this evening's Championship clash at the Amex. Picture by PW Sporting Pics

CHANGE OF ENDS

Albion kicked towards the North Stand in the first half but the change of routine had no effect on the Seagulls. They recorded a seventh win in eight unbeaten home Championship games thanks to Sam Baldock's stunning opener, Jamie Murphy's coolly-taken chip and Anthony Knockaert's clinical finish.

WE'RE ON OUR WAY

The song grew louder and louder as the match went on, with the Albion supporters chanting about being on their way to the Premier League. The win took Albion to the top of the Championship with 13 matches to go, a point clear of Newcastle who head to the Amex on Tuesday.

LUCKY CHARM

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dale Stephens again proved to be Albion's lucky omen. Brighton have not lost any of the 22 league games the midfielder has started this season. He was his usual no-nonsense self in the middle of the park, earning a booking for a late foul on Reading striker Yann Kermorgant in the first half. He then set up Jamie Murphy for Albion's second in the second half with an outstanding slide-rule pass.

DOUBLE FIGURES

Sam Baldock became the fourth Albion player to reach ten league goals for the season when he opened the scoring after 35 minutes. It is the first time since the 1978-79 season that four Brighton players have scored ten or more league goals in a season. Glenn Murray (16), Tomer Hemed (ten) and Anthony Knockaert (11) had already reached the landmark this season.

IN THE WARS

For the second successive home game, Seagulls defender Shane Duffy was caught in the face with an aerial challenge. After suffering a broken nose in the 1-1 draw with Ipswich earlier this month, Duffy was caught early on when he jumped with Yann Kermorgant but was quickly back in action after a lookover from the physio - and his goal-line clearance at 1-0 proved crucial.

A FORMER SEAGULL REMEMBERED

A minute's applause was held in the 45th minute for former Brighton defender Paul McCarthy, who died aged 45 on Sunday. He played for the Seagulls from 1988 to 1996 and was club captain in the 1995-96 season.