MX23RW : Friday, January 3 20:03:37| >> :120:31273:31273:
[monks data]
Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 34
May 1, 2021 at 3pm UK
Falmer Stadium
Leeds logo

Brighton
2 - 0
Leeds

Gross (14' pen.), Welbeck (79')
Gross (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Ayling (88')

Graham Potter hails Danny Welbeck strike as "off-the-seat moment"

Graham Potter hails Danny Welbeck strike as
© Reuters
The forward sealed a comfortable win for Brighton.

Graham Potter said it was a shame there was no crowd to witness Danny Welbeck's sublime goal as Brighton took a significant step towards Premier League survival with victory over Leeds.

Former England forward Welbeck sealed a deserved 2-0 success at the Amex Stadium by lashing home after executing a perfect Cruyff turn on a dropping ball.

Pascal Gross' early penalty set Albion on course for only a third home league win of the campaign, which moved them on to 37 points and piled further pressure on 18th-placed Fulham.

Seagulls head coach Potter will not declare his side safe until it is mathematically assured but admitted Welbeck's moment of magic contributed to an important three points.

Danny Welbeck seals Brighton's win
Danny Welbeck sealed Brighton's win (Mike Hewitt/PA)

"It was a really good performance that ends in a result, so that's great for us," said Potter, whose team had gone four games without a win and three without scoring.

"It was important for us to get the second goal because we've had a lot of times this season where we've been 1-0 up, playing well, but haven't managed to get the second one which kills the game off.

"It was a great bit of quality from Danny to get it, so overall a fantastic team performance.

"It's one of those moments when you are just sad that there's not a crowd there to enjoy it live because it would have been an off-the-seat moment.

Graham Potter shakes hands with the officials
Graham Potter was delighted with his side's display (Ben Stansall/PA)

"The turn itself was a great football action and then to finish it off as well as he did is great for Danny."

Asked if Brighton were now clear of relegation danger, Potter replied: "Unless my maths is incorrect, we need more points. We want more points, so we need to focus on that, we keep fighting."

Albion controlled proceedings and would have won by a greater margin had Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay not spurned golden chances.

Gross confidently found the bottom left corner from the spot in the 14th minute after Ezgjan Alioski clumsily hauled down Welbeck in the box.

Potter was eventually able to breath a sigh of relief in the 79th minute when Welbeck's deft touch took him away from Pascal Struijk and was followed by a ruthless finish.

With Welbeck's contract set to expire in the summer, Potter is eager to tie the former Manchester United and Arsenal player to fresh terms but says discussions will wait until the campaign is completed.

"The intention is there but the most important thing at this stage is that we finish the season off as strongly as we can, that's as a team and Danny as a professional," said Potter.

"He's a top guy and he wants to finish the season off well and he wants to complete the job that he's started with us.

"And then we will sit down with all of the guys and talk about the future but now it's just abut getting the points that we need."

ID:445705: cacheID:445705:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7716:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds25157345162952
2Burnley25131023092149
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd25156434161849
4Sunderland25138438221647
5Middlesbrough25117742311140
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom25912431201139
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2411672822639
8Watford2411493434037
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2510693638-236
10Bristol City2581073230234
11Norwich CityNorwich258984136533
12Swansea CitySwansea2596102929033
13Millwall247892221129
14Coventry CityCoventry2578103335-229
15Preston North EndPreston2561182733-629
16Queens Park RangersQPR2561182733-629
17Derby CountyDerby2576123134-327
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2476112739-1227
19Stoke CityStoke2568112432-826
20Luton TownLuton2574142642-1625
21Portsmouth2358103040-1023
22Hull City2557132233-1122
23Cardiff CityCardiff2457122439-1522
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2447132453-2919


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!