Brighton and Hove Albion Analysis: Fellow contenders beaten with players missing

Revenge is a dish best served bold.

Albion outplayed their play-off conquerors of five months ago with a performance and breakthrough result which emphasised they have a strong chance of challenging again this season.

They did it without Dale Stephens and Beram Kayal, not forgetting longer term absentees Liam Rosenior, Kazenga LuaLua and Solly March.

And they did it with a panache confounding the expectations of many that Chris Hughton would opt for a cautious approach in the absence of the two central midfielders so influential throughout last season.

Among the factors that contributed significantly then to missing out agonisingly on promotion were too many away draws together with a failure to defeat fellow contenders.

That is why the outcome was about more than making history by winning at Hillsborough for the first time at the 18th time of asking over the course of more than a century.

It was also about beating another candidate for the top six on their own patch - in style too in spite of the misleadingly tight scoreline.

Of the four changes Hughton made, only one was enforced, bearing in mind Ollie Norwood had already deputised for the injured Kayal in the suffocating midweek stalemate at Ipswich.

Steve Sidwell was an obvious choice to stand-in for the suspended Stephens and it was no surprise to see Gaetan Bong re-instated at left-back following his one-match ban at the expense of Seb Pocognoli.

It was the other two alterations which made a big difference. Jamie Murphy is more prepared to run at defenders than Jiri Skalak.

The Scot, back in Sheffield where he played for United, was particularly perky in the first half ahead of Bong.

Bringing Sam Baldock into the attack in place of Tomer Hemed also provided more mobility and pace.

Albion tend to look a little static at times when Hemed and Glenn Murray partner each other, especially away from home when countering is often key.

The only time in the previous 74 Championship fixtures that Albion had been without Stephens and Kayal simultaneously they struggled in a 0-0 draw at home to Preston.

What a difference now with Sidwell and Norwood in the mix. Hughton will be loathed to leave them out when Preston come calling again next time out following the international break, even with Stephens definitely available and Kayal possibly so.

Sidwell (above) had a fine match, setting the tone in the opening seconds by snapping into Sheffield's inventive force Fernando Forestieri.

Norwood was not far behind him with his poise in possession and an important nod off the line from a Tom Lees header from a corner at the threequarter mark when Albion led 1-0.

But nobody could outshine Lewis Dunk. He has been excellent so far this season, this time he was exceptional.

Invariably it was his head, or foot, that diverted any danger. He is striking up a formdiable partnership with the similarly commanding Shane Duffy and, just for good measure, demonstrated his ability on the ball as well by supplying the breakthrough for Baldock.

"He has been excellent for us," Hughton acknowledged. "At a time when you need strong players at the back, winning headers, we had that, because they (Sheffield) have a direct side to their game as well.

"We already know he is a good player and good defender, then it is about levels of concentration.

"He's getting older, playing more games and he has also got players in front of him that are prepared to work the other way as well. That always helps a defence."

Baldock's first half goal was no more than Albion deserved. Dunk (below centre) released him for an angled chip over the advancing Keiren Westwood, who was subsequently injured and did not re-appear for the second half.

Sheffield lost left-back Daniel Pudil to injury too around the hour-mark, although it was hard to feel any sympathy considering Albion were four players down at a similar stage in that cruel first leg defeat in the play-offs in May.

If anything it actually helped the home side. The resulting reshuffle, with Gary Hooper's introduction and Forestieri shifted to the left, coincided with their only threatening spell of the contest.

Albion's second goal was perfectly timed in that respect, in a period when the hosts were developing a head of steam.

Bong, now getting back to the form he was in during the first three months of last season prior to a lengthy injury, crossed to the near post and Anthony Knockaert swept in his fifth goal of the season.

The effervescent Frenchman, stretchered off at the same venue five months earlier, could not contain his delight and was cautioned for over-celebrating with the bench.

Along with Dunk, Knockaert is now a booking away from missing a game. The beneficiaries, who ever they may turn out to be, can count themselves lucky.

The only blemishes were another daft yellow card for dissent, Baldock the cuplrit this time to a linesman, and the last-gasp goal which wrecked the prospect of five successive shut-outs.

Hooper, signed by Hughton at Norwich, slammed from close range via a deflection the first goal past David Stockdale in almost eight hours after a scramble.

It was followed by the final whistle. Had Adam Reach converted a sitter a couple of minutes from the end of normal time it would have been an unjustly anxious finish.

Albion were better than Wednesday last season, as the table and respective points tallies proved rather than the lottery of the play-offs.

There are good reasons to believe they will be again - and that few aside probably from Newcastle and, perhaps, Norwich, will finish above them either.