Club news

2018/19 Season Review: October

By Kieran Cleeves • 04 June 2019

Brighton & Hove Albion collected maximum points during October to climb the Premier League table, recording three consecutive top-flight victories for the first time since 1981.

The Seagulls also strung together a hat-trick of clean sheets, while Glenn Murray reached a century of goals for the club in a month that included concussion for the striker at St James’ Park.

Albion 1 West Ham United 0

The Hammers visited the Amex Stadium towards the beginning of October, looking to claim their first points off the Seagulls in the Premier League, after back-to-back defeats to Albion during the 2017/18 campaign.

Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy had just signed new deals for the club ahead of the game, and the Sky Sports cameras were on the south coast for Friday Night Football.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh made his first Premier League start after joining in the summer, and the Seagulls took the lead just 25 minutes into the Iranian’s top-flight debut.

Murray ghosted into the penalty area to convert Beram Kayal’s low cross, and despite second-half pressure from the visitors, which included chances for Fabián Balbuena and Marko Arnautovic, Albion managed to hold on.

Newcastle United 0 Albion 1

The Seagulls returned after the October international break looking to build on their victory over West Ham, but they were dealt a blow in the 15th minute when Murray left the field on a stretcher.

The Albion forward clashed with Newcastle defender Federico Fernandez, leaving him unconscious for a short period of time before being taken to hospital, with Jurgen Locadia coming on as his replacement.

Despite the unusual opening to the contest, Albion found themselves ahead just short of the half-hour mark, when Jose Izquierdo’s half-volley from the edge of the box deflected in off Beram Kayal.

The Israeli’s first Premier League goal proved to be the winner, despite Fernandez hitting the woodwork for the Magpies and Jonjo Shelvey going close with a late free-kick.

Albion 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

History was made when Wolves travelled south for Albion’s final match in October, as Murray became the club’s post-war record goalscorer and the Seagulls sealed a top-flight hat-trick of victories.

The team remained unchanged from the narrow victory at St James’ Park, as Murray made a full recovery from concussion to lead the line for the Seagulls against Espirito Nuno Santo’s team.

Shane Duffy went closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when the Irishman’s header struck the woodwork, but Murray stole the show just three minutes after the interval with his 100th goal for the club.

Maty Ryan made a superb save in the dying stages to deny Ryan Bennett, which ensured Albion would finish the month unbeaten with three clean sheets and nine points in the bag.