Chris Hughton's Brighton left 'frustrated and angry' by late Cardiff winner

Sol Bamba's 90th-minute strike seals 2-1 victory for Cardiff over 10-man Brighton

Saturday 10 November 2018 18:21, UK

Chris Hughton was left "frustrated and angry" after his 10-man Brighton side were denied a point in contentious circumstances at Cardiff.

Lewis Dunk headed the Seagulls in front inside six minutes at the Cardiff City Stadium but Callum Paterson's equaliser and Dale Stephens' straight red card swung the game in the hosts' favour.

Brighton defended valiantly but they were breached for a second time on 90 minutes as Sol Bamba lashed home from close range, despite appearing to be offside in the build-up, to secure a 2-1 victory.

"We're frustrated and angry because when you're down to 10 men for such a long period of time, you certainly warrant getting something out of the game," Hughton said.

"There are two big decisions - the first one is the red card and I think that particular challenge can go anyway. What Dale [Stephens] has done is give the referee a decision to make.

"I've certainly seen worse with the studs showing very early. There's not great contact with the player - some referees wouldn't have given it, some would have done, and that bit I understand.

"What I find harder to understand is, particularly at that stage of the game, a linesman that's in the position he's in getting that one [Sol Bamba's goal] wrong.

"We've seen it on numerous occasions and he's in an offside position. That's the frustration and anger. For me it's a comfortable and easy decision to make."

Brighton played almost an hour a man down after Stephens' 34th-minute dismissal but their defence, marshalled by the exemplary Dunk, restricted Cardiff to few chances.

Hughton believes his players deserved at least a point from the game, adding: "When you're down to 10 men for that period of time, you know it's going to take a battling performance.

"We know they're a direct team and they were always going to put us under pressure, but I can't remember many clear chances in 90 minutes and that's how well we've done to compete.