MATCH PREVIEW | BRIGHTON vs CARDIFF CITY
Match Previews
28th December
Cardiff City travel south to take on league leaders Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday 30th December, in the Bluebirds’ final match of 2016.
THE OPPOSITION
Brighton welcome the Bluebirds to Sussex looking to continue a terrific seventeen-match unbeaten run in the League, which has seen them avoid defeat since a 2-0 home loss to Brentford in early September.
City battled to a 0-0 draw with Chris Hughton’s men at the beginning of December, with the Seagulls winning all of their four matches since. Victories over Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City preceded a 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers last time out. The Seagulls ran out winners over the Rs at the Amex with goals from Sam Baldock, Glenn Murray and Anthony Knockaert. That result saw Brighton ascend to the top of the table following Newcastle’s defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.
Thirty-three year old forward, Glenn Murray, now has fifteen goals for the season, making him the Championship’s second top scorer after Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
City full back, Joe Bennett, spent a season on loan at the Amex during the 2014/15 Championship campaign. The defender made over forty appearances for the Seagulls, scoring one goal against Rotherham United.
Another man who could feature against his former side is Craig Noone, who has been plying his trade in South Wales since arriving from Brighton at the beginning of the 2012/13 season. After a dream City debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the winger went on to play a key role in City’s Championship winning campaign that year.
Friday's match will see City again go up against former Head Coach, Paul Trollope, who was named Brighton's Assistant Manager in late November. Meanwhile, other players to have represented both clubs include Johnny Robinson, Charlie Oatway. Craig Conway and Alex Revell.
MEMORABLE MEETING
The Seagulls welcomed the Bluebirds to the Amex on 7th March 2012. What followed was an entertaining encounter best remembered for a trademark strike from Peter Whittingham.
Scroll down for match highlights!
Both teams created chances in the first half but neither side could find the breakthrough before the interval. The game exploded into life in the second period when Mark Hudson found Joe Mason in the penalty area and the striker fired the ball into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
With twenty minutes to go, Brighton levelled through a smart finish from Ashley Barnes following a cross from future Bluebird, Craig Noone. Peter Whittingham restored City’s lead almost straight away however; the ball fell to him on the edge of the box and the midfielder fired the ball into the top corner with the outside of his left boot, giving ‘keeper Peter Brezovan no chance.
Sam Vokes’ equalizer meant that the Bluebirds had to settle for a share of the spoils. However, it proved a hard earned point as Brighton had gone into the game unbeaten in their last eleven league games.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT!
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from Brighton vs the Bluebirds.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from the Amex will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on Smart Phones, with content available to subscribers 24/7.
