Brighton leapt above Town to the top of the Championship table after defeating the now-third Blues 3-2 at Portman Road. Two goals in two minutes from Kazenga LuaLua and Tomer Hemed gave the Seagulls a deserved 2-0 half-time lead before the Blues hit back via Freddie Sears and sub David McGoldrick’s penalty but Hemed won it with his second of the afternoon.

Josh Emmanuel, 18, was handed his home debut at right-back with Christophe Berra absent with a hamstring injury. Skipper Luke Chambers moved to the centre of the defence.

Dean Gerken continued in goal with Bartosz Bialkowski on the bench having returned from Poland following his father’s death last weekend.

Brett Pitman and Freddie Sears started up front with David McGoldrick amongst the subs having played the full 120 minutes at Doncaster on Tuesday.

New signing Piotr Malarczyk’s international clearance came through in time for the Polish defender to take a place amongst the subs. Brighton included former Town loanees David Stockdale and Liam Rosenior.

Within a minute of the start Pitman and Brighton defender Uwe Hünemeier both required treatment after clashing heads but both were OK to continue.

The visitors began the game brightly and in the fifth minute LuaLua hit a low shot which Gerken got down to save.

Brighton continued to look the more threatening side and in the 10th minute they went in front. Gaetan Bong played a long ball down the Blues right in behind Emmanuel and Chambers couldn’t get across to cover before LuaLua hit a low shot across Gerken and into the corner of the net.

The former Newcastle youngster celebrated with a somersault which ended with him falling over, although he probably didn’t care too much about the jeers from the Town support having scored his fourth goal of the season.

Two minutes later, it was 2-0. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, celebrating his 18th birthday, picked up an wanted card of the yellow variety for a foul on LuaLua midway inside the Town half on the left. Dale Stephens floated a freekick into the area and Hemed claimed the merest of touches with his head as the ball beat Gerken to his left.

The Blues began to get into the game more as the 20-minute mark approached, Pitman should have found Sears with a pass on the edge of the area but Hünemeier cut it out.

Two minutes later, after former Blues loanee Rosenior had scraped a shot wide, Maitland-Niles played in Sears on the right of the area following Emmanuel’s quickly taken freekick but no one was running into the area to get on to the striker’s low cross.

Town should have found themselves 3-0 behind in the 23rd minute when Sam Baldock got in behind the Blues backline from another long Bong ball from the back but the former West Ham and MK Dons man shot wide when he ought to have scored.

In the 36th minute Hünemeier joined Maitland-Niles in referee Keith Hill’s book for catching Sears with an elbow.

Gerken did well to punch Hünemeier’s header from under his bar as two Brighton players ran in to add the final touch on 39 before Sears hit Town’s first shot of the afternoon from a tight angle on the right, Stockdale claiming comfortably.

Hünemeier will have counted himself lucky to still be on the pitch in the 42nd minute when he caught Fraser with a studs-up, very high boot on the right, not far outside the penalty area. Referee Hill somehow avoided showing a second yellow card to the already-booked German.

From the freekick, Fraser laid the ball across to Pitman, who left it for Sears but the former Colchester man’s powerful shot flew wide.

As the half moved into injury time Bong blocked off Emmanuel and was booked for an offence which was nowhere near as serious as Hünemeier’s a few minutes earlier. Shortly before the whistle, Bruno scuffed a shot wide from just outside the area.

The scoreline was a fair reflection of the half as a whole and the Blues really ought to have been three goals behind, Baldock having missed a golden opportunity.

The visitors had controlled the game for long spells with LuaLua always a threat. When the Blues did have the ball all too often it was lost before a chance could be created and Stockdale hadn’t been forced to make a serious save.

However, Town will feel that the Seagulls ought to have been reduced to 10 men with Hünemeier’s foul on Fraser well worthy of a second yellow card.

Just prior to the end of the half McGoldrick ran along the touchline to the dressing room and the striker was introduced at the start of the second half for Maitland-Niles, while new signing Piotr Malarczyk was given a quick debut in place of Emmanuel. The Pole went to the centre of the defence with Chambers switching to right-back.

Brighton, probably wisely, withdrew Hünemeier with Lewis Dunk taking over at the centre of their defence.

The Blues began to put the visitors under some early pressure, Sears beating Bong and his blocked shot rebounding to McGoldrick, whose effort from a tight angle was deflected behind.

The Seagulls were inches from making it 3-0 in the 51st minute when Stephens hit a low shot from the edge of the area which beat Gerken but struck his post. Chambers cleared the loose ball. Moments later, following a corner, LuaLua shot well wide.

Town felt they ought to have been awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute when Dunk appeared to use his arm as Fraser looked to get on to a Jonas Knudsen long throw down the left. Referee Hill awarded just a corner.

From the flag-kick, Brighton failed to clear and Malarczyk eventually slammed home what would have been a debut goal but for the linesman’s already raised flag.

However, a Town goal wasn’t too much longer in coming. McGoldrick, playing in a deep role behind the main strikers, found Fraser, who fed Pitman on the left, inside the area. The former Bournemouth man hit a low shot which beat Stockdale but struck the post, however, Sears was on hand to slam into the net to claim his third goal of the season.

Town had been a much better prospect after the break but on 56 Hemed got away behind the Blues defence and again should have made it 3-0, however, he lashed his shot the wrong side of the post.

The Seagulls continued to look dangerous on the break, Beran Kayal shot just over on 61, before Pitman was booked for a foul on Baldock.

But four minutes later the Blues got back on terms. Fraser looked to get onto Bruno’s poor defensive header just inside the area and as the Scottish U21 international tried to take the ball away the full-back brought him down.

On this occasion referee Hill pointed straight to the spot and McGoldrick beat Stockdale to the keeper’s left, even if he appeared to scuff his third goal of the campaign.

But parity wasn’t to last too long. LuaLua’s 67th minute cross from the left deflected off Chambers and Hemed headed his second of the afternoon off Tommy Smith’s arm and past Gerken, who was probably wrong-footed by the deflection.

Giles Coke immediately replaced Skuse as the Blues went about the task of getting back on terms once again. On 73 Sears punched away a Sears cross but with no Town player able to get onto the loose ball.

Brighton continued to present a danger, Baldock seeing a 75th minute strike deflect over before Smith was forced to nod Hemed’s goal-bound header from off the line.

Coke shot well over on 79, then a minute later Fraser screwed an effort wide, before Dunk headed over from a freekick at the other end.

On 85 Malarczyk lost possession to Rosenior on the Blues left and the former Hull City man brought the ball into the box before hitting a low shot which Gerken did well to save.

Three minutes later, following a corner, Sears whipped over a superb cross from the left but no one could add the final touch and Stockdale gratefully claimed.

LuaLua and Fraser were booked deep into five minutes of injury time after the Brighton man claimed the Town winger had dived inside the area. Soon after Knudsen joined them for a foul on LuaLua as he broke.

The Blues had huffed and puffed during additional time but never seriously looked like getting back on terms and overall the visitors deserved the three points which sees them replace Town at the top of the table.

Having been very much second best in the first half, Town, who missed Christophe Berra at one of the field and Daryl Murphy at the other, battled their way back into the game after the break, although Brighton could easily have been even further in front by that stage.

Had the Seagulls not scored so soon after the equaliser then Town might have gone on to claim a point or all three but the Blues lost the momentum their two goals had given them.

Following the international break, Town are next in action away against Reading in a live Sky game on Friday 11th September.

Town: Gerken, Emmanuel (Malarczyk 46), Chambers, Smith, Knudsen, Skuse (Coke 67), Douglas, Fraser, Maitland-Niles (McGoldrick 46), Pitman, Sears. Unused: Bialkowski, Kenlock, Tabb, Touré.

Brighton: Stockdale, Bruno, Greer, Hünemeier (Dunk 46), Bong, Rosenior, Stephens, Kayal, LuaLua, Hemed (Zamora 78), Baldock (Ince 83). Unused: Maenpaa, Murphy, March, Forster-Caskey. Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire). Att: 21,034 (Brighton: 1,132)

Photo: Action Images

muccletonjoe added 17:25 - Aug 29 Not a good performance but at least 3 key players out so let's lose gracefully for a change
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parhamblue added 17:26 - Aug 29 Far too many injuries, and defensive frailties to sort out. We are not currently in a position to mount a promotion challenge.
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10dackj added 17:26 - Aug 29 We were RUBBISH today and the second best for most of the game. HOWEVER, On the bright side Piotr played very well from ht, we've scored 2 or more in every game, after the international break we'll have 3 of our best players back (murphy, Bru, bishop) and we are still 3rd (if Birmingham don't win)! In mick we trust!
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rkl added 17:26 - Aug 29 Ex-Norwich manager Hughton's tactics of unsettling Town with dirty play from the opening unsettled us, unfortunately. The referee didn't help either. What a shame.
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wessextractorboy added 17:27 - Aug 29 Brighton were a different class in the first half. We needed McGoldrick rom the start. Lua Lua was outstanding and made our defence look ordinary. Maybe too many minds on the international break and that tinpot cup draw. Need to tighten up town too many sloppy passes given away.
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theman added 17:30 - Aug 29 An uncharacteristically poor performance today. Think we need to just hope it's a one off and move on. Felt sorry for Emmanuel playing in such an exposed defence. Also sorry, but does anyone still think Gerken's on a par with Bart? He seriously lacks command of his area which does help his defenders.
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runningout added 17:33 - Aug 29 we have ability to cope with decent players missing... wasn't the referees fault either.. if players show lack of mental agility, we will be in this league for a while yet
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rendoblue added 17:34 - Aug 29 Come back berra, great effort second half, new goalkeeper is a must and tbh think the wrong 11 started today, though mcg was a must and emmanuelle should half never been put up against lua lua. Still can't win every week.
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Tractamatt added 17:35 - Aug 29 Better this happens at this end of the season than at the other. Absolutely galling that we lost but no team is going through the championship unbeaten so lets dust ourselves of and make sure we take it out on Reading after the break.COYB
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1psw1ch added 17:35 - Aug 29 Wtf Brighton putting 3 goals in at Portman road it's not on we are much berra than that this is a wake up call and even though we were missing a couple of players we deffo need to strengthen ,ffs it's after putting me in a downer
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prebsa added 17:42 - Aug 29 Just so frustrating to watch. We always ask for Chambers to be back in the middle and then he played so poorly. Skuse who I think has just been outstanding for us semed to be missing with Douglas having to do all the work. Sears worked the hardest trying to do something and McGoldrick made things happen by coming on. Gerken was woeful today. He just dosent know how to come off his line and collect any balls. He is most definitely our number 2 goalkeeper. On a brighter note we now have an international break big players to come back from injury and I'm sure tha MM will have a long word with them all. It's all about the comeback now we have to go to reading and Leeds and react to this result! COYB

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:42 - Aug 29 We were second best today. A disappointing performance. Perhaps we just expected too much from a team that probably needs time to gel. Hopefully we'll get back on track when Berra et al. come back, 'cos our defence was poor. But we weren't that threatening going forward either. Gave the ball away too often, while Brighton looked composed. Hoping for better things after the break. COYB!

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battyblue added 17:44 - Aug 29 WE always struggle first half even against ordinary teams because MM starts with poor tactics and formations and sometimes like today with the wrong players also no excuse for having a poor goalkeeper at number two cost us points yet again for the umpteenth time
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TimmyH added 17:44 - Aug 29 Well that's given us a reality check...but not quite sure it was the big game that the local papers/media hyped it up to be, we're only 5 games into the new season. But yes we've got injuries a plenty so good job the squad is somewhat healthier than last seasons but sadly not a hugely good performance from us today so maybe Brighton deserving the points. Biggest worry for me is still the defense/GK, since Mick arrived here he got us away from the relegation zone by rigorously and quickly organising this area but what has happened since?...we just don't keep enough clean sheets. Let's just hope our new Polish signing can become what Knudsen is becoming the left or Parr soon recovers full fitness as this could be our downfall. Only 1 game but should keep us a bit more grounded.

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EssexTractor added 17:47 - Aug 29 To be fair Brighton out muscled, out passed and outplayed us for all the important moments of the match. To secure the third goal after our recovery summed up their intentions. Too early to be over critical but for a top two position we do have serious shortcomings. Our central midfield do nothing at all to create any sort of goal scoring threat with passes forward or running beyond. If they were top notch defensive midfielders Brighton would not have eased themselves like knife through butter! So although it's great we have some more than efficient wingers that so important position in any team, midfield , will require adjustment. Our skipper proved to be better at full back than in central defence, whilst our Polish debutant showed signs of ability . McGoldrick did well with the penalty but that lack of pace sometimes discounts what he has achieved, although he does provoke uncertainty in the opposition defence. And so to our own real VFM players of the day. Ryan Frazer whose trickery is a joy and to Freddie Sears, again the MoTM( for us) who not only scored but whose total effort was something that everyone else should take note of. As for the referee, not a 10/10 performance, our not given penalty was more nailed on than the real one, his yellow carding excessive, but it was not he who lost us the game. Mr Hughton espied our weaknesses and his team manufactured a probably right result, disappointing though it was.

14

titanicclown added 17:48 - Aug 29 Brighton were very good today. Kayal in midfield ran thow show first half. We missed the attacking drive Bru gives us from the centre of the pitch - Skuse/ Douglas tidy and solid but we needed more today. Piotr looked very good when he came on and Mcg must play.
3

therein61 added 17:49 - Aug 29 Bad day at the office we won't win every game we were second best to almost every ball and bullied in all areas!! so let's get a piss poor day out of the system and get on with it, I feel that this is a lesson to be heeded and that we can not be as bad again!! onwards and upwards C.O.Y.B
3

bluesince84 added 17:49 - Aug 29 refreshing to see some level headed people on here today. frustrating yes but to be fair Brighton were simply awesome in the first half. I think the Mick got it wring today putting on a kid against Lua Lua as he was destroyed.pairing skuse and Douglas i think were to slow a combo, they were played out the game for most of it unfortunately. However our Polish boy looked good, cool and calm, question is who do we drop if we are to play him. Well done to Sears who is going to have the season of his carrier . PS. If there was any question as to who our number two goalie should be...well i think that was well and truly settled today. Onward and upwards. COYB.

8

Bluetone added 17:52 - Aug 29 Work in progress. Settle down now give the players a chance to knit together into a cohesive unit.
3

blues1 added 17:55 - Aug 29 What game were some of you at. Of course it was a poor performance by us but u have to give Brighton some credit, they got their tactics spot on, closing us down at every opportunity. But to blame Gerken isvridiculous. I'm not a fan of his but he did nothing wrong today. The fact is we defended every goal poorly. Gerkrn had no chance with me of them. The ref certainly didn't help as he was as poor as we were. But we were always gonna get a check at some point, its happened today. As for the rubbish some are spouting about needing to strengthen still? Ridiculous. Only yesterday everyone was saying how strong the squad is now. We lose one match and ur all saying we need more.

1

buddsterblue added 17:57 - Aug 29 Mick mills legend yes but saying the right hand side was strong in the first half is the most ridiculous statement I've heard, great start this season but putting two young lads against 'a red hot player' as mick mills said is poor management by mm and I think he realised this a half time Coyb don't want to be to critical but come on millsey say it as we all saw it;)

8

blueherts added 18:01 - Aug 29 Think Berra is missed and Bru or Bish in middle to add some drive creativity Let's not get carried away with this loss we were beaten by better team. Also Bart needs to start in goal
6

carsey added 18:05 - Aug 29 I agree Mick Mills is talking rubbish saying the right side was our best hope in the first half Neither of the kids were able to deal with Lua Lua. I think MM got it wrong from the start putting Emmanuel up against a red hot player. Much better second half and could have stolen a point. Big reality check for those getting carried away. Use the break to rest recover and come back firing. Definitely need to sort the defence out and find a keeper.

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StochesStotasBlewe added 18:21 - Aug 29 Well played Brighton. Tactically were superior than us on the day. Lua Lua was a constant menace, giving the young Emmanuel a right runaround in the 1st half. We were a tad fortunate to only be 2 down at the break tbh. Thought we started the 2nd half much better & were able to get Fraser & Sears into the game more & having got level was thinking that we may even go on to an unlikely win, but those defensive frailties came to bite us on the arse, they could have won by more in the end. This international break has come at a good time, hopefully can get Murphy, Bru, Berra, Bishop fit & challenging for selection. Bad day at the office & deserved win for the visitors.

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neillrumsey added 18:26 - Aug 29 Brighton were more hungry today. We lost the game in centre midfield with Skuse and Douglas far too slow for a strong mobile Brightom midfield. Felt for Emmanuel who did well going forward but got caught a bit defensively. Have to disagree regarding Gerken who I thought was at fault for the first two Brighton goals albeit Lua Lua deserves credit for his finish. Just watched goals agin on TV and it is clear Gerken should have done a lot better. He also makes poor decisions punching when he should catch. Positives are coming back from two down the Pole who looks decent for peanuts, Sears on fire and McGoldrick also back to his best and has to start. Still this was a blip. Onwards and upwards still a cracking start to the season COYB

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