Vote now for your WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month for November 2017
November kicked off a run of difficult Premier League games which will probably have a pretty big say in how Brighton and Hove Albion’s first season in the top flight in 34 years ends.
The Albion began the month in style, securing a huge away win against struggling Swansea City thanks to a clean sheet earned by the back four and Maty Ryan and yet another goal from Glenn Murray, who continues to prove the doubters wrong.
The international break followed and after that came a 2-2 draw with Stoke City as Pascal Gross and the impressive Jose Izquierdo netted as the Albion came from behind twice to take a point against Mark Hughes side.
There was a brilliant effort at Old Trafford where a point was the least that Chris Hughton’s side deserved from their encounter with Manchester City and, had we taken our chances, we could have had all three. As it was, the game was decided 1-0 in United’s favour after an unfortunate Lewis Dunk.
Their exertions at the Theatre of Dreams seemed to take a lot out of the players and it was a poor performance all round in a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace which rounded off the month, but five points from a possible 12 represented a decent return and kept the Albion in the top half of the table ahead of a daunting December in which games with three of the top five await.
Gatean Bong
The Cameroonian seems to have established himself as first choice left back ahead of Markus Suttner, putting in an excellent showing away at Manchester United and playing a big part in securing the clean sheet that helped earn three points at Swansea City.
Shane Duffy
Remains an automatic pick at the heart of the defence. He had easily his best game in a Brighton shirt away at Old Trafford, making one of the worlds most expensive players in Romelu Lukaku look distinctly average over the course of the 90 minutes.
Lewis Dunk
Fell short of his recent form in November, but that was only because he has been so good in the opening three months of the season. He was at fault for Stoke City’s opener and then scored an own goal at Old Trafford, but his general performance there against United and at Swansea means he makes the shortlist.
Jose Izquierdo
It’s taken time for him to get going, but the Albion’s record signing has been a real threat from out wide since coming into the side regularly in November. He netted the equaliser against Stoke and his pace has left established top flight full backs in a world of trouble.
Davy Propper
We’re not sure why he garners such negative reviews as the Dutch midfielder has been far better than his partner Dale Stephens so far this season. He was vital in the Albion getting on the front foot at Old Trafford and ran the show against Stoke.
Maty Ryan
Made a vital save in every game this month, none more so than that brilliant one-on-one double stop against Crystal Palace. There was also a brilliant point blank block at Manchester United and, after a shaky start to his Albion career, the £5m paid to Valencia is beginning to look an absolute steal now.
