Cardiff 0-2 Brighton: Moder on the dancefloor tops player ratings
In an Albion side whose 10 outfield players had an average age of 20.5, it was one of the elder statesman who topped the player ratings in Cardiff City 0-2 Brighton.
An elder statesman and a £9.5 million acquisition, for that matter. Jakub Moder pressed his claims for more game time in the Premier League with a brilliant individual performance which included his first goal in Albion colours.
The Poland international was at the heart of everything good Brighton did. By becoming a rare scorer from midfield, he also showed Graham Potter that he could provide the answer to Brighton’s lack of goals in that department. No midfielder other than Pascal Gross managed more than one in the Premier League in 2020-21.
There were other highlights at the Cardiff City Stadium, of course. Teenage centre backs Antef Tsoungoi and Haydon Roberts secured a clean sheet ahead of Jason Steele. Andi Zeqiri scored his first goal for the club and there were assists for Moises Caicedo and Enock Mwepu who both gave compelling cases for future league involvement.
All in all, these player ratings from Cardiff 0-2 Brighton make for very pleasant reading – and point to a very bright future for the young players involved.
Jason Steele – 8.67
Seeing Jason Steele captain Brighton & Hove Albion is something that would previously have been imaginable only after a serious amount of ketamine. As the only player over the age of 30, he was handed the armband almost by default and he thrived with the responsibility. One excellent reflex save in the second half was the highlight, alongside looking extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Enock Mwepu – 8.33
Asked to do a job out-of-position at right back. Still managed to work himself into a position whereby he could play a perfectly weighted, defence splitting through ball 30 yards down the pitch which sent Moder away for the opening goal. Fingers crossed the injury he limped off with in the second half is not too serious.
Antef Tsoungoi – 8.67
Went mad in front of the away end at full time in a sign of how much this meant to him. That Steele was so rarely troubled was because of the superb performances put in by him and his centre back partner Roberts. Incredible to think both are still teenagers.
Haydon Roberts – 8.67
Has all the tools to become a Premier League regular in the not-too-distant future. There was one moment in the first half when he stepped into midfield with the ball at his feet and released Andi Zeqiri with a visionary pass that had all the hallmarks of Ben White. A £50 million England international is not a bad player to be compared with.
Michal Karbownik – 8.33
The major takeaway from the Poland international’s first Albion game in front of supporters was that he is bloody quick. Cardiff looked frightened every time he came charging forward. He would appear to be well-suited to a wing back role in the first team, which makes it strange that there are strong rumours linking him with a move to Olympiacos.
Steve Alzate – 7.67
One of two holding players used by Potter. Made one early error when giving away possession in the Albion box which thankfully was not punished. Other than that, he was assured and provided some experience in front of that very young defence.
Moises Caicedo – 8.00
Our first glimpse at a player considered by many to be one of the hottest young prospects from South America. He set up the second goal, doing well to maintain possession as Cardiff attempted to kick him to the ground before sending Zeqiri clear.
Marc Leonard – 7.67
Did not stand out quite as much as some of his Under 23 teammates. He was neat and tidy with the ball and got through his fair share of work without it.
Taylor Richards – 7.67
The man of the moment after signing a new three-year contract and notching double figures from midfield on loan at League One Doncaster Rovers last season. He makes things look so easy although he was guilty of giving the ball away cheaply on a couple of occasions.
JAKUB MODER – 9.00
A serious, serious talent. His breaking run to get on the end of Mwepu’s through ball was perfectly timed and the finish clinical as you like. Much has been made about the lack of goals provided by the Albion’s midfield. Based on what we saw in Cardiff 0-2 Brighton as he topped the player ratings, the Polish midfielder could provide the answer.
Andi Zeqiri – 8.33
Potter spoke afterwards about how the Swiss striker has never really been given an opportunity to play his natural position through the middle. He is surely deserving of more chances now after scoring the Albion’s second with an effort every bit as convincing as Moder’s.
Andy Moran – 6.33
Another player with a lot of pace. He drew several fouls from Cardiff players, earning Brighton free kick opportunities in dangerous positions in the final 20 minutes.
Odel Offiah – 6.33
Brought on to help the Albion see out victory. He played his part by nullifying the threat provided by the experienced Kieffer Moore.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
