Brighton 2 Leeds 0
The Seagulls maintained ther rich vein of form with a victory over Leeds that was more emphatic than the score line might suggest. We even managed a goal from a striker. If you exclude Darren Bent, now at Derby, Craig Mackail-Smith was the last forward to score in the Championship and that was back in August. Craig started yesterday and it was his low cross that Sam Baldock converted for the first goal. Calderon who is playing magnificently since Chris Hughton converted him to right midfield added the second. We could have had 4 more as chance after chance went begging, Teixeira ‘s shot struck the post.
One column I always enjoy in the programme is that of club ambassador Alan Mullery. Mullery never played for the Seagulls but his managerial career, notably the first one, is affectionately remembered. He took over from Brian Clough whose reign we did not appreciate here and he went to Leeds. Cloughie had some nasty things to say about Leeds which resulted in that managership lasting 44 days. I was saying to my young neighbour that it’s hard perhaps to imagine that Leeds were the most feared team in England under Don Revie for a style of play that was both uncompromising but skilful, embodied by their two midfielders Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles. They did win the league title subsequently and narrowly missed out on a Champions League place. Since then it’s been a sad tale of decline both on and off the pitch. Alan recalled the great Leeds side of Don Revie and the tough battles often in the context of hard northerners v soft southerners.
After the game I had a long chat with a despondent Alan Tanner following Fulham’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Wolves. They play Derby on Saturday who we face on Tuesday. Whilst Alan wants Kit to succeed he did think Chris Hughton the better choice. Apparently some fans heard from Norwich supporters that Chris’ teams play dull football. With 6 goals in two games we have not seen much evidence of this and he is to be congratulated in reinvigorating the group.
