Brighton & Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton has dubbed Leeds United a “very good side”, who he thinks will be in the promotion race this season, despite their 2-0 loss to the Seagulls on Friday night.
The Whites, who headed into the game at the Amex on the back of a convincing 2-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend, fell behind in the 23rd minute when Kalvin Phillips handled the ball on the line, leading to a sending off and a penalty being awarded to the hosts.
Glenn Murray scored from the resultant spot-kick to break the deadlock, with Tomer Hemed also successfully converting his in the 83rd minute after the referee pointed to the spot again, following Kyle Bartley’s foul on Lewis Dunk inside the box.
And Hughton, who felt Brighton were the better team against Leeds, admitted that the first penalty was the turning point of the match.
However, the 57-year-old hailed Leeds’ recent good run as he backed the Yorkshire giants to be in and around the playoff spots at the end of the season.
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“I thought it was a very good all-round performance against a very good side, who I think will be there or thereabouts and they’re on a tremendous run”, Hughton told Brighton’s official site.
“We knew we’d have to be good all over the pitch, and I thought we were.
“I don’t think you’re ever in control of a game when you’re up against a good side, but I certainly felt we were the better side.
“At that stage [first penalty], if it looked like anybody was going to score, I thought it would have been us.
“We’re the home side, the side that have to push the hardest, but it was certainly a turning point because you can’t win games if you don’t score goals.
“It was a nailed on penalty, the referee did very well to see it from his position, and certainly that changed the game in regards to goals.”
Although Leeds presently remain in fifth spot with 32 points from 20 games, the tough games keep coming as next up is a visit from Reading.
