Albion's resilience pleases Potter

Neal Maupay’s eighth goal of the season cancelled out Enda Stevens’ opener in a 1-1 draw which keeps the Seagulls 15th in the Premier League table.

Potter said, “It was a hard-fought point, we had to battle against a side who are good at what they do. Away to Sheffield United if you are not prepared to fight you may as well stay at home.

“I know we can play better but we’ve played better this season and not got anything so it’s a good point.”

The head coach was delighted with his side’s response to going behind and praised Maupay’s performance after he ended a goal drought stretching back to last December’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.

“The response to their goal changed the atmosphere and was important for us,” he said. “I’m proud of the defensive display and the battling qualities and sacrifices we made for each other. It is a good point for us at a hostile ground.

“I thought Neal sacrificed himself for the team. He worked so hard and ran and ran, and he got his reward. That’s what he is all about and that is what he needs to stick to.”

Potter gave his view on the two VAR checks for a possible Albion penalty and a red card after Lewis Dunk was badly caught by John Lundstram.

“Live it felt like a penalty but when I look at it back the defender is quite close, but if it didn’t hit his hand it will go to one of our players,” said Potter. “The red card for serious foul play? It looks quite serious to me. It was a full-blooded challenge and it was that type of game but it’s not for me to say it should have been a red card.”

Potter felt Albion didn’t impose their own style enough on the game but was nonetheless delighted that his players got their reward. 

He said, “They make it difficult for you but I didn’t think we were good enough with the ball to ask enough questions of them. It’s not that we didn’t want to play – we couldn’t. We had to play to the attributes we have but It’s the stage of the season when we have to battle for every point and we did that.”