Potter insists Brighton are ‘not far away’; Welbeck ‘disappointed’ at relegation outcome

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Brighton boss Graham Potter assessed his side’s chances of experiencing a season like West Ham’s, while Danny Welbeck made a surprise admission about how they avoided relegation.

Brighton let slip the chance to move up to 15th in the table after Said Benrahma’s late effort cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s opener. Neither side produced their best throughout much of the contest, but the Seagulls did defend resolutely despite the absence of club captain Lewis Dunk.


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Welbeck bagged his 50th top flight goal in the contest as Brighton were made to settle for dealing a bitter blow to West Ham’s Champions League hopes with a 1-1 draw.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Potter said: “Good game, competitive game. Disappointing because we scored late and conceded but overall can’t be disappointed with a draw. Boys gave everything, tough game.

“Second half we were better, probably the better side in the second half. Good from the players, they responded, playing against a team that is in a good moment.

“Credit to David Moyes and West Ham, they have had a good season and are fighting to be in Europe. We take a point.”

MATCH REPORT: Benrahma magic averts disaster, but West Ham suffer European heartache

When asked whether West Ham’s stellar season is an example Brighton can look to emulate, Potter added: “In some ways.

“They have probably invested a lot over a few windows. They have always had a talented squad. We want to get more points, that is where we are at. Our performances have been good but it is about results.

“We are not far away but we are aware we have to improve. We will reflect, we will take a break and then analyse what we have to do to get better.”

Welbeck makes surprise relegation admission

Brighton striker Danny Welbeck also spoke to the press, telling Sky Sports: “It feels like two points dropped. We just switched off and it is not good enough, we need to be better in these situations and as a group improve on that to get to the next level.

“I am pleased with the goal. With injuries and that sort of stuff I would have hit that mark [50 Premier League goals] a bit earlier. There is so much more to come.”

On survival being confirmed after Fulham’s loss, the striker admitted: “It is kind of disappointing, we would have liked to have done it ourselves.

“With the squad we have we shouldn’t be thinking of relegation, we should be looking further up the table.

“As a group we have to gather together, analyse the games and the performances. I think there is a lot more we can do.”