Sheffield Wed. 1 - 2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Brighton secure first ever win at Hillsborough

Posted Sunday, October 02, 2016 by PA

Brighton made history with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The victory was their first ever at Hillsborough and the first time they have beaten the Owls in just over four years. Meanwhile, it ended a run of three consecutive home wins for Sheffield Wednesday.

Sam Baldock scored Brighton's first with a delightful lob before Anthony Knockaert scored his fifth of the season, Gary Hooper replying late on for the home side.

Knockaert created the first chance of the game, when he jinked his way through Wednesday's left-hand side of defence, before pulling the ball back for Oliver Norwood, but the Northern Ireland international's shot was straight at keeper Keiren Westwood, who held onto his effort comfortably.

Shane Duffy's headed clearance moments later fell to Barry Bannan, who unleashed a powerful volley from the edge of the area, which flew just over the crossbar.

Jamie Murphy came the closest to opening the scoring, when he whipped a right-footed delivery across the area, which missed everybody and went inches wide of the far post.

Brighton then broke the deadlock when Lewis Dunk found Baldock (26) in the area with plenty of space. The striker turned and lobbed the onrushing Westwood, who could only mange a fingertip on the ball and failed to stop the effort dropping into his net.

Adam Reach carved himself a great opening and, after Fernando Forestieri released him into the box, he cut inside onto his right foot. Seagulls keeper David Stockdale could only parry his shot forward and Jack Hunt was first to arrive but his shot was blocked by Gaetan Bong. The home side claimed it was handball, however referee Oliver Langford pointed to the corner flag.

Half-time saw Sheffield Wednesday swap goalkeepers; after Westwood struggled with an injury in the first 45 minutes he was replaced by debutant Cameron Dawson.

The Owls bad luck continued, when Daniel Pudil was forced off with an injury in the 58th minute, with striker Hooper coming on.

Tom Lees thought he had scored the equaliser when he found space in the box from Wallace's corner but Norwood was on hand for Brighton to clear off the line.

After a spell of Wednesday pressure, Knockaert (73) doubled Brighton's lead with a neat left-footed finish. Bong had got forward from left-back and drove a ball across the six yard box and Knockaert swept the ball home.

Reach missed a glaring opportunity, when a looping ball across the box fell at his feet inside the six yard box, however he failed to keep it down and his shot went well above the crossbar.

Hooper (90+5) scored a consolation goal for the home side, after Brighton failed to clear their lines, he slotted the ball through a crowded area.