Maupay strike breaks bad Brighton habit as Elland Road misery piled on Leeds

Brighton ended a run of nine Premier League games without a win as Neal Maupay’s strike was enough to beat Leeds 1-0 at Elland Road.

The visitors showed more impetus in the first half as they looked to stifle the hosts’ usual attacking verve. And they got their reward with Maupay’s strike after 17 minutes.

Leeds, on the other hand, showed a response in the second half but Brighton – who had dropped 12 points from winning positions heading into this match – broke their bad habit with solid defending.

For the hosts, however, it is another defeat at Elland Road after losing on home turf to West Ham, Leicester and Wolves earlier in the season.

Leeds made a lively start when Rodrigo just missed Ezgjan Alioski’s drilled, swerving cross into the box.

However, just like at Crawley in the FA Cup last weekend, the Whites lacked fluency and had only one shot in the first half.

Instead, Brighton sustained their more lively tone with a series of neat passing moves and Neal Maupay caused Leeds defenders problems down the left and right.

But the Seagulls’ opener came from good work on a combination of flanks.

Alexis Mac Allister’s one-two with Leandro Trossard allowed the latter player to square to the left for Maupay, who tapped home.

But Leeds failed to muster much of a response; their only shot came from Mateusz Klich, but it rose over Robert Sanchez’ goal.

What’s more, Patrick Bamford could not meet another Alioski cross and the offside flag was later waved.

Leeds response not enough

But Leeds were much better in the second half, showing immediate improvement within the first 10 minutes.

Jack Harrison’s shot from the right curled agonisingly wide before Joel Veltman had to head clear from a cross, with Bamford lurking behind him.

Substitutes Tyler Roberts and Pablo Hernandez also proved useful, the former having a decent shot before the latter teased a cross into Bamford.

Leeds continued to push but openings such as a Harrison corner which hit the first man showed their lack of fluency.

Brighton, on the other hand, did not muster many more opportunities themselves and goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was fairly untroubled throughout.

Indeed, Maupay coming off for Davy Propper after 81 minutes showed Seagulls boss Graham Potter’s intentions as the game wore on – his side had dropped 12 Premier League points from winning positions before this match.

But the visitors held on to claim their first win in 10 games.