Huddersfield undone by Andone as Brighton snatch victory

Posted Sunday, December 02, 2018 by PA

Florin Andone’s first goal in English football earned Brighton a 2-1 win at Huddersfield and their first in four Premier League matches.

Romania striker Andone, signed from Deportivo La Coruna in the summer and making his first Premier League start, headed home a second-half winner.

Huddersfield, who played for the last hour with 10 men following the controversial dismissal of striker Steve Mounie, had stormed into a first-minute lead through Mathias Jorgensen.

Brighton equalised in first-half stoppage time through Shane Duffy’s towering header and made their numerical advantage tell in the second period.

The Terriers charged out of the blocks and went 1-0 up after 55 seconds – the quickest goal in the Premier League this season.

Brighton defender Bruno made a hash of his attempted clearance and after the ball looped back into the penalty area, Jorgensen headed in off the crossbar.

The visitors went close to an equaliser in the 15th minute. Duffy’s header was saved by Jonas Lossl and Andone, making just his third Brighton appearance, fired the rebound straight at Jonathan Hogg on the goal-line.

Alex Pritchard then threatened for Town, pulling a low shot wide from 18 yards after his initial effort had been blocked.

Huddersfield were dealt a major blow in the 32nd minute when Mounie was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Yves Bissouma.

It appeared to be a harsh decision by referee Michael Oliver. Mounie caught Bissouma high on the shin, but there was little intent and most in the stadium were surprised at the decision.

Terence Kongolo’s header was scrambled clear and after Oliver had waved away Town’s penalty appeals after Pritchard had gone down, Aaron Mooy’s free-kick for a foul 20 yards out forced Mathew Ryan into a smart low save.

But the Terriers were unable to preserve their lead until the interval. Solly March curled over an enticing cross and Duffy rose highest to power home a header in time added on.

Lossl dived low to keep out Bissouma’s shot early in the second period and then held Davy Propper’s follow-up.

Town added some beef up front by sending on Laurent Depoitre for Pritchard, but the big Belgian ploughed a lonely furrow up top.

Huddersfield sat deep in numbers and were able to contain Brighton until the 68th minute.

Not for the first time March delivered an excellent cross and Andone got in front of his marker to head home at the near post.

Andone was replaced by in-form goalscorer Glenn Murray with 11 minutes remaining and Brighton saw the game out with few scares for their fifth league win of the season.