Chris Hughton says Brighton can take positives from Man Utd defeat
Monday 27 November 2017 15:12, UK
Brighton boss Chris Hughton believes his team can take a number of positives from their narrow defeat to Manchester United as they prepare to host relegation rivals Crystal Palace.
The Seagulls looked on course for a well-earned draw at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon before Ashley Young's deflected effort snatched all three points for Jose Mourinho's side.
Brighton remain in the top half of the Premier League table despite the defeat in Manchester and Hughton was pleased with the level of performance from his side.
"There are definitely far more positives to take from the game at Old Trafford than negatives," he said.
"I thought we were very positive in the way we played, we certainly didn't go there to just sit behind the ball and try and play on the counter-attack.
"We had some really good periods ourselves. The big disappointment is the frustration of the goal - it's one of those very unusual deflected goals that goes against you.
"But the level of performance was good and we'll need to take that forward against a very good Crystal Palace team."
Brighton next face Palace at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night and Hughton says his players are desperate to repay their supporters with a win against their bitter rivals.
"I've been made more aware of the rivalry during my time here than I was before," said Hughton. "I know Palace very well as a club and I know Brighton very well and as a player I've played against both. But it is only when you are here, the rivalry becomes more apparent and the reasons for it.
"I am conscious of that. It is very much one for the supporters and as with any derby game that you play, it is one that you want to win for the supporters."
Crystal Palace have played six games away from home in the Premier League this season without scoring a single goal but Hughton is wary of the threat posed by the Eagles, who came from behind to beat Stoke 2-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
"I don't think you can afford to read anything into it, they have quality players," said Hughton. "I've seen them play on four occasions and on all four occasions they've been very good.
"I can only presume what has happened to them is small margins in the game. Winning games or losing games can become a little bit to do with momentum, with rhythm.
"But they are a very good team with very good individuals and I have no doubt that they will start climbing up this table."
Brighton striker Glenn Murray has vowed not to celebrate if he scores against his former club on Tuesday and Hughton expects the forward to keep his emotions in check throughout the match.
"We certainly will need Glenn to keep the form that he is in," said Hughton. "He is intelligent enough to know that the emotion that can be in this type of game and the fact that he's played for both teams.
"He's experienced enough to know he has to divorce himself from that. We need calm heads, we need him to do the role he's given us since he's been back in the team and of course to win this fixture you need to score goals."
