Solly March says Albion answered their critics

Chris Hughton’s side produced the perfect response to their disappointing 2-0 defeat at Watford on the opening day of the season by repeating the safety-sealing victory over Jose Mourinho’s men in May.

Glenn Murray from a March cross, Shane Duffy’s first Premier League goal for the club and a Pascal Gross penalty sent United packing again, 3-2 this time, after Albion lost skipper Lewis Dunk to injury.

Left-winger March, one of the players criticised in the wake of the Watford setback, told The Argus: “After last week’s poor performance we needed a reaction. We took confidence from last season when they came here and we played well (1-0).

“We used that and last week’s poor result to work hard and it was a lot better.

“I was happy with the assist but I still feel I can do more attacking. It’s all about fitness and sharpness early in the season to be able to go both ways (attack and defend) but it was definitely better than last week.

“There was a lot of criticism from people but it was the first game. Everyone has off days. I think we answered a lot of them.

“It’s a 38-game season. There are going to be poor games. Last week was especially poor but hopefully we proved we are not going to roll over, especially against a good United team.

“We proved we can play well against the top teams. I wanted to be more positive and get on the front foot and first half especially I think I did that.”

Competition for wing places for March, who signed a new four-year deal in the summer, is fierce from Anthony Knockaert, new record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh and the currently injured Jose Izquierdo as Albion now head for another severe test against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday (5.30pm).

March said: “There’s a lot of competition. We are all good players. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. You have got to play well, otherwise you are going to lose your place, so I need to keep doing that. A good 90 minutes in the legs will hopefully makes us stronger for probably an even harder test.

“It doesn’t get any easier and away from home is different and a lot harder but this will give us a lift.”

Boss Chris Hughton was delighted with the display. He said: “The most important thing is three points, particularly when you lose your first game and are going up to Liverpool next game.

“But I am very proud of the performance, particularly the reaction from last week, and the knowledge that with the quality United have got, if you allow them to play their game they can hurt you. I thought both sides of our game were really good.”

Dunk, hurt in an early tackle with Romelu Lukaku, watched the second half from the tunnel on crutches with his right ankle encased in a protective boot as replacement Leon Balogun helped Albion to victory, despite United replies from Lukaku and Paul Pogba in the dying moments from the spot.

Hughton said: “I’m disappointed for Lewis. You knew he had to come off. He’s a very tough boy and he’s very rarely injured but in Balogun you know you’ve got somebody who won’t be fazed. He’s played at a very good level (Bundesliga) and in the World Cup (Nigeria) in the summer and I thought he did very well.”