Brighton still have much to learn, insists Chris Hughton
ByPA Sport
Published 21/11/2017 at 00:21 GMT
Chris Hughton admitted his Brighton side are still learning about life in the Premier League after they twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Stoke.
Chris Hughton accepts that Brighton are still on a learning curve
Image credit: PA Sport
Goals from Pascal Gross and record signing Jose Izquierdo cancelled out strikes from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Kurt Zouma to extend promoted Albion's unbeaten run to five matches.
Boss Hughton said: "We have to be realistic, we weren't at our best, we made errors for the goals, but these things will happen against good teams.
"Credit to the players, you had a Stoke team who at times were very happy to defend their own half.
"We learned a bit today against a good, solid, manly team. We are learning"
Brighton found themselves behind in the 28th minute when Xherdan Shaqiri lifted a long ball into the area.
Lewis Dunk misjudged the flight, but Choupo-Moting read it perfectly, expertly bringing the ball down before side-footing past Mathew Ryan.
Brighton were then incensed when Ryan Shawcross tripped Glenn Murray in the box, only for referee Lee Mason to refuse them what looked a clear spot-kick.
Even Shawcross himself admitted it "probably was a penalty," and Hughton added: " I was just waiting for the referee to give it.
"We were really, really disappointed with that."
However, City boss Mark Hughes saw things differently.
"My initial reaction was that he (Murray) splayed his legs to get some contact," he said.
"Ryan was within his rights to shepherd the ball out, the lad wasn't going to get on the end of it.
"I thought the referee did well and wasn't swayed by the crowd. It was a good decision."
Nevertheless, just before the interval Brighton hauled themselves level courtesy of a third goal of the season for Gross.
The impressive Davy Propper tiptoed past four Stoke defenders before being forced out wide, from where he laid the ball back for Gross to smash through the legs of Lee Grant.
But moments later Stoke retook the lead, Choupo-Moting heading Darren Fletcher's corner back across goal for Zouma to nod home his first Potters goal.
However, Zouma was at fault when Brighton equalised for a second time on the hour mark, missing his header and allowing Murray to touch the ball through to Izquierdo.
The winger initially tried to cross the ball, but it bounced back off Kevin Wimmer, allowing Izquierdo to prod home from close range.
Hughes threw on Peter Crouch, who set a new Premier League record with his 143rd substitute appearance in the process, but he was unable to mark it with a winner.
Hughes added: "My initial reaction is tinged with disappointment.
"Any away point gained is a good result usually, but having got into a winning position twice that's where the disappointment lies.
"The goals were avoidable, I didn't feel Brighton created anything of real significance. We'll take a point but maybe with a slight hint of disappointment as well."
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