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The calendar year ended with Brighton and Hove Albion in 12th spot in the Premier League and averaging over a point a game – well on course for safety – with some impressive results being secured in December.
There was one win, a 1-0 success at home to Watford thanks to yet another Pascal Gross goal which was in fact the only goal we managed from open play in the month. Two 0-0 draws were also picked up, at home to high flying Burnley and away at fellow relegation candidates Newcastle United.
Those two clean sheets came about largely because of the excellence of last months winner, Maty Ryan. The Australian number one also had excellent games away at Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, both of which ended in 2-0 defeats in which the Albion failed to land a glove on their top six hosts.
Our first proper Premier League drubbing arrived at the hands of Liverpool who were comfortable 5-1 winners at the Amex with Glenn Murray netting from the spot and a week later, there was an even more disappointing 2-0 defeat away at Huddersfield Town. Both of those results highlighted the fact that the Albion do not deal well with sides who press.
Shane Duffy
Picked up a quite ridiculous booking in the draw with Burnley that led to his suspension against Watford. He was instantly restored to the starting line up despite a good showing from Connor Goldson in the victory over the Hornets and that decision was justified as he played a big part in the clean sheet at Newcastle United.
Lewis Dunk
Added another own goal to his collection this month with his second goal in two appearances against Liverpool. He took over the captains armband when Bruno was rested and has continued to look assured, even if the number of goals we are conceding from set pieces remains a real concern.
Jose Izquierdo
Gave his best performance of the season so far in the draw with Bournemouth. They were simply unable to cope with him with the only black mark against his name being a terrible one-on-one miss that could’ve secured all three points.
Pascal Gross
Ran the show against Watford, scoring the only goal of the game which also happened to be our only goal from open play. His importance to the team is such that he is rested for any game that doesn’t look winnable such as those against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
Davy Propper
Continues to use the ball intelligently yet sections of the Albion fan base are still yet to warm to him. One driving run against Watford was particularly impressive and he was the better of the two out of himself and Dale Stephens in December.
Maty Ryan
A man-of-the-match performance at Newcastle was the highlight of another outstanding month from the Australian goalkeeper. He also pulled off points winning saves against Burnley and Watford and kept the score respectable against Chelsea and Spurs.
Dale Stephens
Has started every league game so far this season but is perhaps finding the step up to the Premier League harder than first thought. Still, he has put in lots of hard graft, even if he has started giving the ball away since that bloody song about him never giving the ball away first appeared.
