Graham Potter pinpoints how Brighton beat Leeds United...and their dodgy pitch

Neal Maupay turned home the game’s only goal in the 17th minute to clinch a first league win since November for the Seagulls.

Brighton halted a 10-game winless run in fine style as Maupay turned home from close range after Leandro Trossard and Alexis Mac Alister had carved open the Leeds defence.

The Seagulls rounded off a testing week. They lost 1-0 at Manchester City in midweek after playing extra time in their FA Cup penalty shoot-out win at Newport last Sunday.

“I’m very proud of the players,” boss Graham Potter said. “It was a tremendous effort after a really tough and good week.

“We played 120 minutes at Newport on a difficult pitch, long trip, to recover from that and then play Manchester City on Wednesday.

“Then to come here against a Leeds team which is quite fresh, has got the physicality they have and attacking intent and to keep a clean sheet and restrict them to not many chances and score a good goal, I couldn’t be happier for the players.

“They’ve been fantastic. Great character, great personality and their quality as well.

"When you are playing Leeds, especially when we have had three games in six days it's not easy but the players gave everything, defended well and attacked when we could. We limited a side that likes to attack so a fantastic performance.

"There is obviously a bit of weather on the pitch which didn't make it easy but we scored a nice goal. This team test you. To come here and keep a clean sheet is an incredible effort from the players.

"I think Jack Harrison bent one around the post but apart from that they didn't have too much. The players effort was unbelievable so we are really happy. We are here to fight."

It was a good day for Brighton with West Ham beating relegation rivals Burnley and Fulham losing at home to Chelsea. Brighton are 16th and five points ahead of 18th placed Fulham, but Scott Parker's team have played two matches fewer.

"We are halfway now," said Potter. "It doesn't matter what the other teams do because we need to look after ourselves.

"We need to try to improve. The performances have been quite good but when you don't win you are under pressure. That's the Premier League so we have to take that challenge on and be brave."

Leeds slipped to a third straight defeat in all competitions for the first time in 12 months under Bielsa and have yet to register a goal this year after struggling again to create chances.

“I link that to the last two games, not the game against Tottenham, but this causes me worry,” Bielsa said.

Leeds mustered little in front of goal. Patrick Bamford completely missed Raphinha’s low first-half cross six yards out and Jack Harrison fired narrowly wide at the start of the second period. Otherwise there was little else.

Bielsa’s side failed to retain possession in Brighton’s half due to repeated misplaced passes on a heavy Elland Road pitch.

“I don’t want to link the performance or the defeat to the state of the pitch,” Bielsa added. “I think we could have got a better result anyhow.

“We defended below our capabilities, below our usual level. We only managed to recover the ball close to our own goal.

“And we attacked below our usual capabilities. We didn’t attack well and we didn’t defend well. We didn’t play well.”