Swansea 0 Brighton 1
After this away win, the second such in row, Brighton are in eighth place. Carry on like this and we will be in the Europa League. The fans are grounded enough to confine their hopes to the speedy amassing of 40 points, 25 to go. Next Monday week after the international break – yet another one – we face Stoke at the Amex then a tricky cycle of Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea before Xmas. Much credit must go to Chris Hughton who has strengthened the team with players like Pascal Gross and Davy Propper without losing any of the team spirit. An added and unexpected bonus is 4 goals, including one yesterday by the old warhorse Glenn Murray. Only Harry Kane with 37 goals has scored more goals that Glenn in the top 2 divisions. I find it amazing that Sean Dyche can be linked to Everton but not our Chris – not that we object too strongly!
One surprise is that Harry Maguire of Leicester was preferred to Lewis Dunk in the recent England squad. I am sure if you offered Jurgen Klopp Maguire or Dunk he would take the latter. Dunk is a natural cover for Gary Cahill. He is a superb blocker, two-footed, pacy and with a decent ball out of defence. His one problem – a poor disciplinary record – he has addressed with no bookings in the past 10 months. Speaking to Alan Tanner as I do after every game, I note an understandable negatitivy as recent Fulham results have been poor but down here the feel-good factor is high. I am beginning now to worry about that disease called second season syndrome!
