SEAGULLS DOWN TRACTOR BOYS
Brighton ended their eight-match winless run in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter found the net in the second half for Fabian Hurzeler’s team at Portman Road.
Ipswich came closest to opening the scoring in a lackluster first half, with Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson testing Bart Verbruggen from range.
However, it was Brighton who broke the deadlock just before the hour, as Mitoma finished from Matt O’Riley’s cutback to become the joint-leading Japanese scorer in Premier League history, leveling with former Leicester City forward Shinji Okazaki on 14 goals.
Christian Walton made a fantastic save to deny Joao Pedro’s volley shortly after, but the Ipswich goalkeeper could do nothing as the visitors extended their lead eight minutes before the end.
A low free-kick rebounded perfectly for Rutter, who turned and finished with ease, with the goal being confirmed after a VAR check.
That crucial win moved Brighton into the top half of the table, up to ninth, while the Tractor Boys fell back into the relegation zone, having scored fewer goals than 17th-place.
“WE ARE READY FOR MANCHESTER UNITED” Georginio Rutter came off the bench to net the second goal that confirmed Brighton’s victory.
The Seagulls’ next challenge is a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United.
“I’m really happy with the win. It’s always a great atmosphere when we play away,” Rutter told TNT Sports.
“I think it was crucial for the team to win today. The Christmas period was tough. We’re feeling good, and it’s great for our confidence.”
“It felt great to score, but I was a bit nervous because VAR was reviewing it.”
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Ipswich had been encouraged by moving out of the relegation zone after Wolves lost 3-0 to Newcastle United a day earlier. However, their relief was brief, as a 2-0 loss saw them drop back into the bottom three on goal difference. This match represented a good chance for Ipswich, as Brighton had gone eight Premier League matches without a win. Yet, despite any potential lack of confidence, Brighton showed no signs of hesitation and capitalized on their chances when they appeared. Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter’s second-half goals lifted them back into the top half of the table in ninth place.
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