Brighton & Hove Albion aided their pursuit of Premier League safety with a rampant 4-1 victory over Swansea City on Saturday afternoon at the Amex.
Glenn Murray opened the scoring with a penalty in the 18th minute, doubling Brighton’s lead in the second half. Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia also found the net, while a Lewis Dunk own goal was sandwiched in between the two strikes.
Glenn again
Murray showed nerves of steel in a high-pressure match to dink the ball down the middle from the penalty spot. To score the first goal early proved to be a crucial moment to settle the nerves around the stadium.
The 34-year-old managed to win the penalty with a mazy run into the box only to be hauled down by Mike van der Hoorn.
Scare before half-time
There was a close call for the Albion just before half time. Jordan Ayew burst through on goal and fired a shot off the post.
The ball then rebounded back out to Martin Olsson, who fired just wide from close range. Had the visitors converted, the result may have been very different.
Going for the jugular
Earlier on in the season, Chris Hughton’s side were struggling to convert draws into victories, but the Seagulls showed a killer instinct against the Swans.
Jose Izquierdo threatened on many occasions and his cutback was on a plate for Murray to tap home for the second of the match, and his tenth league goal of the campaign. Pascal Gross also showed his composure to slide in Knockaert for his third league goal of the season.
Late consolation
Brighton looked set to cap off their resounding performance with a clean sheet, but Tammy Abraham surged forward in the 85th minute and his strike was deflected in by Dunk for an unfortunate own goal.
It slightly tarnished an otherwise fine display for Hughton’s men, who have kept seven clean sheets so far this league campaign.
Locadia bags first league goal
It was the icing on the cake when Locadia scored his first Premier League goal in the 90th minute to cap a fine win for the Seagulls.
The Dutchman opened his account last weekend in the FA Cup against Coventry and followed it up with turning in a Dale Stephens goal-bound effort to seal the three points.