Sheffield United 1-0 Brighton: Player ratings show just how bad this was
If you want to know just how bad Brighton & Hove Albion’s 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United was, then cast your eye over the WAB Player Ratings.
Top of the charts was Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who was only on the pitch for 23 minutes following his introduction from the bench. Third in the charts was Jose Izquierdo, who was only on the pitch for eight minutes following his introduction from the bench.
Despite their fleeting appearances, the only player in Graham Potter’s starting XI who could get close to Jahanbakhsh and Izquierdo was Yves Bissouma. The Malian split the two substitutes to rank second.
For everybody else other than the top three, this was an evening to forget in South Yorkshire. Here are your full player ratings for Sheffield United 1-0 Brighton.
Robert Sanchez – 5.29
Dived the wrong way for the goal but that was the least of Brighton’s problems as there were three defensive mistakes in the build up before David McGoldrick got his shot away. Dealt with the very little else he had to do comfortably.
Adam Webster – 4.64
His heavy touch gave Sheffield United possession at the start of the move which led to McGoldrick’s goal. Whilst it is understandable for him to be rusty after nearly three months out, he needs to shake the cobwebs and fast.
Lewis Dunk – 5.57
Set up a couple of attacks with his range of passing and the only Brighton defender who did not play some part in the shambles of the Sheffield United goal.
Joel Veltman – 5.64
The normally defendable Dutchman had a good chance to clear Ben Osborn’s cross which he did not take, helping to present McGoldrick with his chance. Still tried to help the Albion get on the front foot.
Pascal Gross – 4.57
Was supposed to be playing as right wing back but in truth, he was a bit all over the place. After Veltman’s failed clearance, he had an opportunity to get the ball away prior to the goal, only succeeding in slicing it straight to the feet of McGoldrick.
Yves Bissouma – 6.21
The highest scoring player in the Brighton starting XI for the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United. Always wanted the ball and the Blades looked panicked whenever he was in possession. If he scored more than one in every 25 (numbers may not be accurate) long range effort he takes then he could be the best midfielder in the world.
Adam Lallana – 5.21
Should have done better with a second half shot kept out by Aaron Ramsdale. He struggled to get into the game too much, which partly explains why Brighton lacked a killer pass and cutting edge in the final third.
Jakub Moder – 5.36
Thought he had opened his Brighton account, only for VAR to correctly spot that he was in an offside position before smashing home the loose ball from a chaotic corner situation. That would have been his second goal in England, as Martin Tyler helpfully mentioned that he had scored for Poland at Wembley back in March for the 123rd time in the four months he has been an Albion player.
Leandro Trossard – 4.57
Had a quiet evening at Stamford Bridge in midweek playing alongside Welbeck. Was restored to the number 10 position in which he tends to excel but it was a similar sort of performance to the one we saw against Chelsea – pretty anonymous.
Neal Maupay – 3.64
Anonymous is not a word you could use to describe Maupay. He was denied twice by Ramsdale and then produced arguably the most astonishing miss of any Brighton player this season – and there is plenty of competition for that – when putting Jahanbakhsh’s cross over the bar from three yards out.
Danny Welbeck – 4.36
A disappointing evening given the quality of performances he has strung together in recent weeks. Tiredness might be a factor, but when the alternative to him starting is Aaron Connolly then you can understand why Potter doesn’t fancy giving him a rest.
Aaron Connolly – 3.57
The worst of a very band bunch according to the player ratings. Came on as part of a double substitution alongside Jahanbakhsh. The Iranian took the game by the scruff of the neck, the Irishman hardly touched the ball.
ALIREZA JAHANBAKHSH – 6.50
More than a few eyebrows were raised when Potter turned to Jahanbakhsh as the man to try and find Brighton an equaliser. He justified the manager’s decision with a livewire performance down the right flank. If Maupay could finish and the ball had not bounced away from Welbeck at a crucial moment, he may have even had two assists.
Jose Izquierdo – 5.86
Seeing the Colombian back in a Brighton shirt for the first time in two years was the undoubted highlight of this farce. Did enough in his seven minutes to suggest that he still retains his ability despite all those injury woes, nearly beating Ramsdale with a trademark effort from outside the box. What a fairy tale it would have been had that gone in.
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.
