Brighton 4 Leeds 0

This Brighton side and performance were unrecognisable from the first half of the season in which we were unbeaten but only ever won by a margin of one goal and over December and January went 8 games without a win. Playing two goal-scoring wingers in Knockaert and Murphy and with Hemed recovering his goal touch, the Seagulls scored 15 goals this month. We are eleven points clear of Cardiff in seventh place.  Above us Burnley , Hull and Middlesbrough will be hard to overhaul , as the latter two have games in hand , and all better goal difference but we are only 2 points behind;  a play-off position looks more likely.

Last night a poor side were overwhelmed in the first half with 4 goals – a chipped penalty from Hemed, an own goal, another from Hemed and Dunk from a corner. Controversial Leeds owner Massimo Cellino walked out at half time. As is often the case the second half was more sterile.

The defence had not performed as well recently, but the two pillars of it – Greer and Huenemeier – have been absent with injuries and Lewis Dunk, much courted by Fulham, has made too many errors. The one common denominator throughout the season is the consistently impressive axis of Kayal and Stephens in central midfield. In the few dull moments we speculated that Kayal should make the PFA divisional side. I would also hopes that Chris Hughton, who transformed a relegation side into a consistent top six one, would be the manager of the season.