Hughton hopes to cap an excellent first week

Seagulls boss Chris Hughton is hoping to cap an excellent first week of the season with victory at home to Nottingham Forest tonight.
Jamie Murphy, who scored twice, in action during Albions 4-0 win against Colchester in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Picture by Phil WestlakeJamie Murphy, who scored twice, in action during Albions 4-0 win against Colchester in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Picture by Phil Westlake
Jamie Murphy, who scored twice, in action during Albions 4-0 win against Colchester in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Picture by Phil Westlake

Albion followed up a 0-0 draw at Derby in the Championship on Saturday with a 4-0 win at home to League Two Colchester in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, despite making 11 changes.

The results suggest there has been no hangover after missing out on promotion last season and Hughton said: “I was as delighted on Tuesday as I was on Saturday because I thought the level of performance on Saturday was very good, particularly away from home against a top team like Derby.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I was equally as pleased midweek. We did change things around and we all know with that comes an element of risk, with players perhaps not being in the rhythm that some are but I was really delighted by the performance. From the first minute, the level was very good.

“It’s been a good week and it will be nice to cap it off with another win.

“You always want to start well, like we did last season. To do well in this division you have to have a good level of performance, which we did last season. But we managed that and still missed out.”

Tonight’s game marks the fifth anniversary of the Amex opening and Hughton said: “It’s all about recognising how far this club has come.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m very aware of the club’s history, where the club has been and where the club has had to play their matches for many years – from the Withdean to the magnificent stadium we’ve now got.

“The club has come a long way and we’d like to do the club proud on the day.”

Midfielder Dale Stephens is back in the Albion squad but defender Connor Goldson will again miss out.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!