Hughton Pleased For Goalscorer Stephens

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton was pleased to see Dale Stephens get his name on the scoresheet against Crystal Palace, as the central midfielder notched his first strike of the season.

Despite featuring in all of Albion’s Premier League fixtures so far this season, Stephens was still searching for his first goal of the campaign before last night’s Emirates FA Cup tie at the Amex.

The 28-year-old broke the deadlock for the Seagulls, getting them off the mark in their 2-1 victory over the Eagles, and Hughton commented on the midfielder’s contribution, before speaking about Connor Goldson’s current situation.

He said, "Dale is very much a box-to-box player and it's good that he scored. It's sometimes difficult for him to get into those areas with the system that we play.

“We're pleased for him and it's a goal from a different area of the pitch, so we're very happy with that.

“Connor Goldson hasn't played regular football for a year-and-a-half, he's a player we like and he obviously wishes he was playing more - which is something we understand.”

Glenn Murray hit the winning goal after a couple of chances went untaken for the Seagulls, and after sealing their place in the fourth round, Hughton expects a tough game against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium later this month.

“Overall, I thought we were the better side, but they started stronger in the second half.

“We missed a couple of good chances, and you start to think it’s not going to be your day. It was heading towards a replay but we were forceful enough to deserve the win.

"You want a home tie [in the next round] and a team out of the division that we're in, so we got one of them.

“We're up against a good side, away from home, and they’ve got a new manager that will motivate them.”