Vote for your WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month for November 2018
It was very much a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show as Brighton and Hove Albion followed up their three wins from three games in October with a solitary point in November from a possible nine.
Even that 1-1 draw with Leicester City felt like a defeat. Glenn Murray had given the Albion the lead when heading home Anthony Knockaert’s corner and the Foxes then played for over an hour with 10 men, despite which they managed to dominate the second half and equalise late on through a Jamie Vardy penalty.
An even later goal had cost Chris Hughton’s side a point in their previous game at Cardiff City. This time they were the ones playing for a large period of the game shorthanded after Dale Stephens’ dismissal. Lewis Dunk had given Brighton the lead but Cardiff came roaring back, eventually winning for only the second time this season after Sol Bamba scored in the very last minute.
It was an outstanding month for Dunk as he made his England debut in the 3-0 win over the United States and was also on target away at Everton. That was another disappointing afternoon for the Albion though as they went down to a 3-1 defeat against a superior Toffees side.
Solly March continues to attract his fair share of criticism but he ended the month with two assists while Beram Kayal continued to impress in the absence of first the injured Davy Propper and then the suspended Stephens.
The top six is rounded off by Maty Ryan who was a convincing winner of last months award and Shane Duffy, although in truth there hasn’t really been one standout player in a largely disappointing fourth month of the campaign.
Shane Duffy
He didn’t quite reach the heights of October in which him and Lewis Dunk went the entire month without conceding, but was largely solid again especially in the defeat away at Cardiff City given that the Albion were forced into playing for over half the game with a man disadvantage.
Lewis Dunk
His England debut against the United States was the undoubted highlight of his November, but he also impressed in the green away shirt of the Albion by scoring goals away at both Everton and Cardiff with well placed headers from excellent Solly March deliveries.
Beram Kayal
Made his 100th appearance for the Albion in another solid month that was only marred by one brainless moment when gifting Leicester a penalty. Scored an absolute worldie for Israel in their defeat against Scotland in the second round of November internationals and given his form, Dale Stephens can’t be guaranteed of instantly regaining his place once he completes his suspension.
Solly March
Played in the number 10 role for the defeats against Everton and Cardiff and although he continues to be a lot of supporters current hate player of choice, he claimed two assists in those two games with a couple of superb balls in from set pieces.
Glenn Murray
He’s never going to be quite as effective away from home as he is at the Amex given how isolated he is on the road, but his header to give the Albion the lead against Leicester was a thing of beauty. Looked to be struggling with a knock for most of the second half but his importance is such that Hughton didn’t withdraw him until the 89th minute.
Maty Ryan
October’s PFA Player of the Month didn’t manage to hit those heights but he still had another fine set of performances. The concern around the Amex when he appeared to be injured against Leicester was huge, something that doesn’t bode well given that this time next month he’ll be unavailable for potentially seven games as Australia defend their Asian Cup title.
Polls close at 8pm on Sunday 2nd December
