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Nick Szczepanik's press verdict: Norwich City

On a day of near shocks and last-minute drama in the Premier League, Albion had a comparatively undramatic 2-0 victory over Norwich City, but there was plenty for the inmates of the Amex Stadium press box to like.

By Nick Szczepanik • 03 November 2019

By Patrick Sullivan
Nick Szczepanik delivers the media's verdict on Saturday's game.

The BBC sent their chief football writer, the excellent Phil McNulty, to the game and he enjoyed what he saw from the men in blue and white.

“Brighton's revival under manager Graham Potter continued as they deservedly overcame struggling Norwich City at Amex Stadium,” he wrote on the BBC website.

“The Seagulls were by far the more impressive side and secured their third successive home win in the Premier League with second-half goals from substitutes Leandro Trossard and Shane Duffy.

“Brighton received criticism in some quarters when they sacked manager Chris Hughton after he kept them in the Premier League last season - but the decision to bring in Graham Potter from Swansea City has proved wise so far.

“He has brought a patient, passing style to Brighton and his new charges have been impressive in the manner they have got up to speed.

“There are odd occasions when Brighton's fans might like to see things done a little quicker but three successive home league wins against Tottenham, Everton and now Norwich have provided strong evidence that Potter's message is working and winning favour with supporters and players.

“Brighton looked strong at the back and the invention of Trossard, a summer signing from Genk, gives them an extra dimension, as he did when he emerged as a second-half substitute here and turned in the crucial opening goal from Martin Montoya's cross.

“They are now in eighth place and as Potter took the acclaim of Brighton's fans at the final whistle, it is clear his work is winning their seal of approval.”

By Paul Hazlewood
Lewis Dunk in action against Norwich City.

The amalgamation of The Times and Sunday Times sports desks long feared by journalists has meant that some unfamiliar names have been cropping up in the two papers. Molly Hudson, who covered the Women’s World Cup for The Times, was reporting at the Amex for the Sunday Times. At first, her report seemed to have been written from the visitors’ end.

She began: “The talk on the trains and in the stands came from Norwich supporters debating whether they had the defensive nous to evade relegation, and by the end the Sky Bet Championship was on the minds of goalkeeper Tim Krul and manager Daniel Farke after their fifth loss in six league games.

“'This is not like the Championship,’ they said, words that will echo in the ears of the Norwich fans. Their back line has been leaking goals all season and now it is stricken by injuries. The margin of defeat here could have been greater as Brighton moved up to eighth in the table.

“By the time Alex Tettey had headed over his own bar, the home fans were peering out from their hoods wondering how the game was goalless. Norwich tried everything to prevent them breaking the deadlock as Tettey twice made painful blocks, but to no avail as the substitute Trossard latched onto a Martin Montoya cross in the 68th minute to give Brighton the lead.

“Norwich goalkeeper Krul remains their most important player if they are to avoid the drop, pulling off another superb stop to deny Maupay moments after Trossard’s goal, but his heroics were not enough as Shane Duffy headed in six minutes from the end.”

By Paul Hazlewood
Leandro Trossard prods the ball home.

Really? Well, it might have looked like that from the away end. Tom Prentki of the Sunday Telegraph gave more space in his report to the Albion, especially Trossard.

“The season may only be 11 games old but Brighton now find themselves in eighth place in the table, above Tottenham, Manchester United and arch-rivals Crystal Palace,” he pointed out.

“'Graham Potter’s blue and white army’ rang round the Amex at full-time after the Seagulls secured their third home win in succession, inspired by substitute Leandro Trossard.

“The Belgian scored the first and made the second with Albion dominant but struggling to find a breakthrough prior to his arrival in the 59th minute.

“Movement is one of Trossard’s key strengths and he ghosted to the near post, in front of the hesitant Tim Krul and Ben Godfrey and touched home Martin Montoya’s cross.

“Norwich never looked likely to reply but Potter’s side put the game to bed when Trossard’s deep free-kick was met by Shane Duffy who cleverly touched it beyond Krul.”

“’It’s nice to have Leo coming on, someone who can make a difference in the final third when the game’s stretched,’ said Potter. ‘In the final third especially he’s good. He can see a pass, he can finish, he can take a touch and he takes good decisions.’

“For long spells this was a stop-start encounter in difficult conditions on the South Coast. Brighton always had more impetus and young midfielder Steven Alzate showed up well, twice coming close in the first half with shots from the edge of the area.

“With the game heading for stalemate, Potter brought Trossard from the substitutes’ bench and the Belgian scored nine minutes later. It came from a throw in and Neal Maupay worked the ball back to full-back Montoya and he crossed to the near post where Trossard pounced.”

By Paul Hazlewood
Adam Webster went off injured with 30 minutes played.

Amitai Winehouse of the Mail on Sunday had obviously remembered, remembered the fifth of November as he opened his laptop. He wrote: “Graham Potter needed a spark. He turned to his bench and managed to pick out the man who would provide it.

“On a wet and windy day at the Amex, Leandro Trossard came on and managed to light the fuse. A game changer the week before, this time he was the match-winner, providing the goal and assist that saw Brighton past Norwich.

“His tap-in broke the Norwich resistance. His free-kick gave Shane Duffy the platform to wrap up the win. Neither goal was a rocket but just before bonfire night, Potter did not mind. His Seagulls super sub had done it again.

Norwich have struggled since their famous win over Manchester City, while Brighton have quietly gone about their business recently.

“Aiming for a third straight win at home in the Premier League for just the second time in their history, Brighton came out flying. The impressive Steven Alzate beat the defence with a dribble before Tim Krul denied him with an outstretched foot, and then in the 22nd minute he sent a volley inches wide.

“Brighton did not even look shaky when record signing Adam Webster had to be stretchered off and replaced by Duffy in the 36th minute.

“By the break it was hard to see how Brighton had not taken the lead. Neal Maupay would have been kicking himself after firing over from yards out in stoppage time.

“After a series of further misses, Potter eyed up his options and settled on Trossard. Just before the hour he sent the 24-year-old on and soon enough had his reward for taking the risk.

“Brighton worked the ball well down the right and Martin Montoya swung in a cross. Trossard dashed across Ben Godfrey and met the ball first with an outstretched boot, sending it past Krul.

By Paul Hazlewood
Aaron Connolly evades a challenge.

“Farke admitted: ‘All week we spoke about how their strikers were not the people who will win the crosses with a header but they have good movement. We were aware of this but did not bring it on the pitch in a key moment’.”

“Potter’s own alterations had paid off: ‘Over the last couple of weeks the subs have helped us get over the line.

“'They want to play, they want to start but they want to help the team even if they don’t. They want to make a contribution. That’s great for me.’

“While Duffy’s introduction was forced, Trossard’s was pure prescience. Potter’s choice of spark lit up the match.”