A big step forward or Brighton and a learning curve for Aaron Connolly

Brighton took a big step forward in their battle to avoid the drop with a 2-1 win at Southampton last Sunday

Another twist in the Albion’s rollercoaster season came with the first win at St Mary’s in over a decade, the fifth victory on the road, up against the solitary home triumph against Spurs.

There were plenty of positives from the victory at Southampton. Both Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck, after a plethora of missed chances in previous games, not so many on Sunday but significantly two gilt edged ones taken.

There was also another impressive performance between the sticks by Robert Sanchez, whic also saw a call up to the full Spanish squad, in place of £80million Chelsea keeper Kepa.

Much is made of Albion’s young quality on the pitch, such as Yves Bissouma, Ben White and Tariq Lamptey, but for a player who was plying his trade on loan to Rochdale 12 months ago, Sanchez could yet become a fixture in the Albion’s Crown Jewels.

Negatives?

Somewhat annoyingly, the Albion seemed to take their foot of the gas after taking the lead on Sunday, sitting back and almost inviting the hosts on to them.

Thankfully, in the end, a superb team performance culminated in a deserved three points. But in the grand scheme of things it is effectively only ‘half time’ in this potentially season defining week.

Saturday night’s Amex clash with Newcastle is in old school terms a real ‘six pointer’. Steve Bruce’s men arguably arrive for the game as everyone’s perceived favourites for the third relegation place.

A very dangerous assumption. I’m hoping for more of the same of what we saw on Sunday, apart from the sitting back that is. Will it be a classic?

Frankly at this stage of the proceedings, we will all be happy with a boring 1-0. That said the Amex faithful, currently consigned to the arm chair, are due a classic at home, so who knows?

Aaron Connolly

Off the field it’s not been the best week for Aaron Connolly. Breaking lockdown and then discovering his private life was filmed by the ‘Femme Fatale’ and sold to a tabloid newspaper.

He knows he’s an idiot. He’s acted irresponsibly and let himself and the club down. That said, perhaps the moral majority should cut him a bit of slack.

He’s a young lad, living and working away from home. But we’re all flawed and everyone deserves a second chance. Let’s hope Graham Potter and the club see fit to give him one.