Four-midable Albion give Chelsea the blues

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Andrew Moran on target twice in impressive 4-1 victory in Premier League 2.

Matthew Bishop

2023-04-28T20:00:00Z

Andrew Moran celebrates with his teammates after scoring our second of the night.

Albion made it seven unbeaten in Premier League 2 with a stunning 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Kingsmeadow on Friday.

A brilliant brace from Andrew Moran put Albion in the driving seat, before strikes from Jack Hinshelwood and Mark O’Mahony either side of Leo Castledine’s consolation secured all three points against the Blues who are second in PL2.

Chelsea started brightly and Harvey Vale, who was born in Haywards Heath, was at the heart of their early attacks but curled a free-kick just over in the fifth minute before Killian Cahill denied him an assist by saving Dylan Williams’ low effort from 12 yards.

Albion responded well and after Luca Barrington had a shot scrambled behind Moran looked destined to put Shannon Ruth’s side ahead in the 21st minute, but Gabriel Slonina saved the Irishman’s first-time strike after a defensive mix-up.

Ruairi McConville plays a pass forwards.

Ruth’s team began to dominate with Hinshelwood drilling a half-volley inches wide from the edge of the box before a brilliant pass from Ruairi McConville set Cameron Peupion free on the right, but the Aussie’s cross-shot was hacked clear on the half-hour mark.

Barrington had another chance three minutes later but sliced a first-time effort wide, before Chelsea nearly went ahead against the run of play when Charlie Webster smacked a shot against the bar from 20 yards.

But it was Albion who got the deserved opener and Moran, who signed a new contract with the club on Monday, was the scorer with the last kick of the first half. After controlling a loose ball in the box, the 19-year-old earned himself a yard of space and drilled a low effort back across goal which gave Slonina no chance.

Albion’s great end to the first half was matched by a perfect start to the second, with Moran picking up from where he left off six minutes after the interval to fire a fantastic strike into the top corner from 25 yards.

Samy Chouchane and Sam Packham put Dylan Williams under pressure.

The young forward created it all on his own after pinching the ball off Zak Sturge just inside the Chelsea half, and he played an integral role in our third goal two minutes later with a lovely pass into Barrington’s path. The former Manchester City man took the ball down on his thigh and raced into the box, before squaring to Hinshelwood who slid home and made it 3-0.

The young Seagulls were playing some scintillating stuff now with Samy Chouchane pulling the strings in midfield, but after the Tunisian teenager teed up Peupion, the winger’s cross was headed wide by Hinshelwood at the back post.

Chelsea were desperate for a way back into the game and Webster nearly found it after a short corner routine, but he shot into the side netting before Mason Burstow headed over 20 minutes from time.

The hosts did eventually score five minutes after Burstow’s miss when Dion Rankine lofted a cross into the box which Castledine nodded home, but Albion quickly restored their three-goal lead in the 80th minute.

Luca Barrington challenges for the ball.

Mark O’Mahony was the scorer shortly after coming on for Jack Hinchy, but the Irish striker had Chouchane to thank for his fourth of the season after the midfielder chipped a perfect pass into the area which O’Mahony tapped past Slonina.

Sam Packham nearly made it five when he lashed a half-volley over from a tight angle, but by then the points were already secured and Albion had solidified fifth place ahead of next Friday’s final game of the season against Fulham.

Albion: Cahill, Packham, Kavanagh, McConville, Samuels, Hinchy (O’Mahony 70) , Chouchane, Peupion (Mullins 81), Barrington (Duffus, 70), Hinshelwood, Moran (Baker-Boaitey, 85).