Albion boss Chris Hughton says there is extra pressure at the top of the table - but he would still rather have it.

The Seagulls led the Championship from late August to the end of October, and again for a fortnight in November and December.

They dropped to sixth with a loss of form but are back up to fourth, behind new leaders Hull, Middlesbrough and Burnley, after successive victories against Blackburn away and Huddersfield at the Amex.

Hughton said: "There's no doubt there is more pressure when you are up there in those leading positions.

"We certainly found that. Some teams were adjusting their games playing against us.

"I would still rather be up there with the pressure that comes with it.

"It's normal for a team like us with the injuries we've had and the amount of players playing in every game to take a dip.

"I'm really delighted to be back with two wins, particularly at home after losing three at home before. It was a big one and a big confidence booster for us."

Last Saturday's victory over Huddersfield had extra significance for Hughton. It was his 50th league game in charge.

The 2-1 triumph coincidentally took him level on points with ex-Albion manager Chris Cattlin - who played for both clubs and was a guest at the match - in his first 50 games at the helm in the 1980's.

A dozen managers have reached the half-century from the first spell of Alan Mullery, when he steered the Seagulls into the top flight.

Mullery's record (converted in the table below for the sake of comparison since three points for a win was not introduced until 1981) eclipses the rest comfortably.

Gus Poyet is next-best, with Hughton trailing Cattlin only on goal difference.

Close behind Hughton are Mark McGhee, Liam Brady and Micky Adams in his first stint.

Some, like Hughton himself and Steve Gritt, had the disadvantage of inheriting a struggling side.

Hughton's prospects of building on the 19 Championship wins achieved under his command so far have been enhanced by the arrival of Anthony Knockaert and return to fitness of Kazenga LuaLua.

Albion finished the Huddersfield match with Knocakert on the right wing and substitute LuaLua on the left.

Former Leicester trickster Knockaert, on his home debut, created the goals for Bobby Zamora and James Wilson.

Hughton said: "We know he knows the division. What pleased me most is the way he was prepared to work both ways (attacking and defending).

"Sometimes gifted players only work one way. We need more goals and to score goals we need assists. That's exactly why we have brought him in."

It was LuaLua's first outing at the Amex since September.

Back at last from a long-term groin injury, he was pulled out of an intended outing in the under-21s against West Brom on Monday evening with a bruised toe.

Hughton said: "At times he will lose the ball but he has a power and pace that causes problems to defenders.

"It's really good to have him back. Hopefully we can get him at a level to start."

Seventh-placed Birmingham will close to within a point of Albion if they win at third-bottom Bristol City today.

The Seagulls have a free weekend following their FA Cup exit at Hull, who visit Bury today in round four.

Albion Managers First 50 League Games

           P   W  D  L   F   A   Pts

Mullery 50 28 12 10 91 45 96

Gus Poyet 50 22 15 13 69 48 81

Chris Cattlin 50 21 11 18 69 57 74

Chris Hughton 50 19 17 14 52 50 74

Mark McGhee 50 20 12 18 56 55 72

Liam Brady 50 18 16 16 67 64 70

Micky Adams 50 17 18 15 66 50 69

Barry Lloyd 50 16 17 17 59 61 65

Mike Bailey 50 16 15 19 51 71 63

Dean Wilkins 50 16 12 22 55 59 60

Steve Gritt 50 14 15 21 57 64 57

Jimmy Case 50 10 11 29 49 79 41

* Statistics supplied by Tim Carder