Albion's dynamite defensive duo Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk have earned praised for scoring goals as well as stopping them.

Duffy equalised at Huddersfield on Saturday with his third goal of the campaign.

The Republic of Ireland centre-half is now second only to Glenn Murray in the Seagulls' Premier League scoring chart, having edged ahead of partner Lewis Dunk going into tonight's clash with Crystal Palace.

England newcomer Dunk scored in the previous two games at Cardiff (below) and Everton.

The Argus: Duffy and Dunk's most recent goals have all been headers via set pieces, supplied by Solly March.

The pair managed only one goal between them last season but now have a combined tally of five.

Manager Chris Hughton said: "We've certainly had a concerted effort for a good while on our set-plays. Sometimes you can go through periods where it's working better than others.

"That's been the case this season. Probably we're not working any more on our set-plays this season than what we did last season.

"It's exactly the same as defensively. We had a poor record defending set-plays last season and we're not doing anything dramatically different this season.

"It's circumstance but what they have proven is if it's the right type of ball and the right type of movement, they are a threat and it's great for the team because at this moment we've got Glenn scoring goals and a contribution from the two centre-halves.

"What we need is a contribution from elsewhere, from our wide players and central midfield players But it's been very welcome the goals they have scored."

The Argus: Duffy (far left above) and Dunk have been mainstays of Albion's rise from the Championship to 11th in the Premier League.

Hughton said: "What has helped us dramatically is we have two centre-halves that have not only been brilliant for this club but they get on very, very well together.

"They're good friends and have formed a very good relationship, which I have no doubt helps on the pitch.

"They were excellent in the Championship but what you also know is once they step into the Premier League, they are going to be tested more.

"Perhaps in the Championship we were able to be in a lot of games and probably restrict the amount of real defensive work they had to do.

"You never know with the step up but both of them have been excellent."