Brighton’s home form must be foundation of survival push
Brighton’s home form was one of the key aspects of the club’s surge to the Premier League last season.
Chris Hughton’s men boasted the best record on home soil in the Championship. The Seagulls claimed 54 of their 93 points at the Amex Stadium, winning 17 of their 23 contests in the process.
The club were handed the toughest of starts to life in the Premier League. Manchester City were the visitors on the opening day of the season at the Amex Stadium.
Although the Seagulls battled well against Pep Guardiola’s men, an own goal from Lewis Dunk and a strike from Sergio Aguero allowed City to claim the win.
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Brighton suffered a second defeat on the bounce after losing away to Leicester, but bounced back with a draw against Watford.
Their clash against West Brom was vital and would be a telling factor in whether the club could survive in the Premier League this term. A defeat would have dented the confidence of the Seagulls, but Hughton’s men rose to the challenge to clinch their first win of the campaign.
A brace from Pascal Gross put the home side in control of the contest before Tomer Hemed notched a third.
James Morrison scored a consolation goal, but the impressive performance was a indication that the Seagulls are capable of dominating the teams around them in the table at the Amex Stadium.
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Brighton are still considered one of the leading contenders for the drop, being backed at 1/1 in the latest Premier League betting odds to be relegated from the top flight.
The result over the Baggies should give them belief of making the Amex a fortress. Teams that have been relegated in the past have often struggled for results at home soil.
It’s not a coincidence that two of the sides relegated from the Premier League last season – Middlesbrough and Sunderland – had the two worst records at home in the division.
Middlesbrough won just four of their 19 matches at the Riverside, claiming 18 points at home. Sunderland earned just 14 points, less then a point a game at the Stadium of Light, winning just three games at home all season.
Both of those sides were well off the pace in their battle against the drop, finishing 12 and 16 points away from 17th-place Watford.
Solid home form is no guarantee of avoiding the drop as Hull discovered to their cost. The Tigers were in the middle of the pack by claiming 28 points at KCOM Stadium, winning eight of their home matches.
However, their dire form on the road cost them a place in the Premier League. The club earned just six points in the entire season on their travels, resulting in their relegation from the top flight.
It’s a reminder to Hughton and the Seagulls that home form in the foundation and the majority of your points must be earned at the Amex Stadium. However, it’s not a certainty of avoiding the drop as the Tigers found out last season to their cost.
