Brighton 1-0 Marseille: Billy the King of the player ratings
Billy Gilmour topping the Brighton player ratings for the 1-0 win over Marseille provides the perfect opportunity to bust out one of the quotes of the season so far.
Writing on Football365.com, Chelsea fan Will Ford said: “Billy Gilmour isn’t a better footballer than Moises Caicedo, but Gilmour of Brighton shits on Caicedo of Chelsea.”
The article goes on. “Brighton is a club where talented players can’t help but realise their potential, while Chelsea has become a confidence vacuum of a football club, where belief is replaced by doubt in an atmosphere where expectation dwarfs reality and allows no space for freedom of expression.”
Of Gilmour’s showing against Marseille, Mr Ford adds: “It was a faultless performance from a midfielder playing at a peak that would have Chelsea sniffing over his nine-figure transfer would it not be soul-crushingly embarrassing to re-sign a player they allowed to leave for a pittance because they didn’t have the patience and fortitude to persevere with his development.”
“He would be back in the doldrums in no time if he returned to his boyhood club in any case.” How glorious to see Blues fans once again tearing their hair out over a transfer dealing with the Albion
We could wax lyrical ourselves on Gilmour for hours, especially after the midfield masterclass he gave in the final game of the Europa League group stage.
But anyway, who wants some Brighton 1-0 Marseille player ratings?
Jason Steele – 7.53
Marseille did not manage a single shot on target, making for a relatively straightforward evening for the Man of Steele. Made one flying punch miles from his line which was bold and brilliant.
Jack Hinshelwood – 7.94
Roberto De Zerbi reckons central midfield is Hinshelwood’s best position but he looked totally at home at right back here. A composed outing in which he did plenty of good stuff with the ball.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 8.71
The highest scoring defender in the Brighton 1-0 Marseille ratings. Strength of an ox when shepherding the ball out for a goal kick. Displayed rapid reactions to clear after a shot hit the post and almost rebounded in off the back of Steele.
Lewis Dunk – 8.47
A rock at the back as per usual. The less said about his attempt from a free kick, the better. It still seems mad that the Albion have a highly paid set piece coach and yet the go-to policy for free kicks within 30 yards of goal is to have Dunk twat the ball as hard as possible.
Igor Julio – 8.47
Igor! Igor! Igor! Made some important blocks in his best left back performance so far. He surely stays there for the foreseeable future given the form Van Hecke and Dunk are in currently in the middle.
Pascal Gross – 8.59
Always looked the most likely player to make something happen as Brighton sought a way through in the second half. Swept the ball perfectly into the path of Joao Pedro for the Albion goal for yet another assist.
BILLY GILMOUR – 9.06
Constantly won the ball back for Brighton in the defensive third, including a couple of impeccably timed interventions in the box. He then never wasted a pass when further forward. A sublime showing.
Simon Adingra – 6.47
Not his best game but nobody could blame him for being tired given he is one of the few players De Zerbi has not rested in recent weeks. Sent a good second half opportunity so high that it was last seen hurtling towards the moon.
Facundo Buonanotte – 7.35
Some good little touches and he worked hard for the team. Seems to be growing in confidence after a somewhat slow start to the campaign.
Kaoru Mitoma – 7.41
Marseille looked terrified anytime Mitoma had the ball. Consistently swept past whoever was given the thankless task of marking him and put in some dangerous crosses which his teammates maybe should have made more of.
Joao Pedro – 8.88
No way Pedro! Mr Thursday Night came up trumps again with his sixth Europa League goal, picking out the top corner with a sublime finish when team was running out.
Evan Ferguson – 7.12
Drew a good save from Pau Lopez shortly after coming on which the Spanish referee incredibly awarded as a goal kick.
James Milner – 7.18
De Zerbi opted to bring Milner on in place of Hinshelwood as part of a double change with Adam Lallana. It raised a few eyebrows at the time, but was ultimately a good decision as the duo put their European experience and nous to good use.
Adam Lallana – 7.41
Lallana did his best for all of us with a bet on booking points by picking up a yellow as soon as he entered proceedings. Played an important role in the goal with a around the corner pass feeding the ball into Gross.
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.
