Key Moments: Watford V Albion

Brighton & Hove Albion were beaten 2-0 at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon, and here are some of the key moments from the opening-day Premier League fixture against Watford.

Stephens goes close:

Dale Stephens almost gave Albion the lead in the 21st minute when he met Bruno’s cross from the right wing, but the midfielder’s controlled volley dropped just wide of Ben Foster’s right-hand upright. The goal could have changed the game at Vicarage Road, but the Hornets were able to strike first and give Albion an uphill battle for the remainder of the contest.

Bruno’s departure:

The Albion skipper was withdrawn from the action on 26 minutes, after going down with a pulled hamstring. Gaetan Bong came on in place of the Spaniard and Bernardo shuffled across to right-back for the remainder of the match. Bruno’s partnership with Anthony Knockaert looked an early threat for the Seagulls, but it was short-lived as the Frenchman then linked up with Albion’s Brazilian summer signing on the opposite flank at Vicarage Road.

Pereyra’s power:

The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute courtesy of an impressive strike from Watford’s Argentine winger. Roberto Pereyra arrived inside the penalty area to connect with a thunderous volley which flew past Mathew Ryan to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Second-half introduction:

Summer signings Yves Bissouma and Alireza Jahanbakhsh were introduced by Chris Hughton after the break and both players imposed themselves on the game. Bissouma added energy in the middle of the park, while Jahanbakhsh looked to cause problems for the Seagulls out wide, after coming on in place of Solly March. Despite not being able to overturn Albion’s 2-0 deficit, the pair showed promising signs on their Premier League debuts.

Deficit doubled:

Pereyra came inside off the left wing and curled the ball past Ryan to double Watford’s lead in the 54th minute, which gave the home side the cushion needed to sit back on their 2-0 lead. The atmosphere inside Vicarage Road was lifted by Pereyra’s second goal of the afternoon and the Argentine received a standing ovation as he came off in the 87th minute.