Premier League 2 days ago · 252 words

Brighton held to a goalless draw by Jablonec, failing to score for the first time in ten games

Brighton struggled to convert 26 attempts into goals in their UEFA Conference League clash.

Soccer players in action during a lively match at an outdoor stadium.

Photo by Dean Gnjidic on Pexels

Brighton’s impressive six-match winning streak came to an abrupt halt as they were held to a goalless draw by Jablonec in the UEFA Conference League. Despite being the Premier League's top scorers with 23 goals in their first seven matches, Brighton struggled to find the back of the net in this encounter. They registered 26 attempts on goal but failed to score for the first time in ten games, showcasing a rare off day for the team.

Around 1,000 Brighton supporters travelled to the Stadion Strelnice in northern Czech Republic to support their team. The Seagulls currently sit third in the Premier League, buoyed by a recent 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Manager Fabian Hurzeler made eight changes to the squad for this match, retaining only Bart Verbruggen, Olivier Boscagli, and Pascal Gross from the previous game.

Brighton dominated possession with 73 per cent but struggled to convert their control into clear chances. Jablonec finished the match stronger, with Antonin Rusek coming close to scoring after a defensive error from Joao Costinha. Verbruggen made several crucial saves, including a spectacular fingertip stop from Jiri Slama's powerful shot, ensuring the match remained level.

Hurzeler reflected on the performance, acknowledging that Brighton did not play at their best. He noted that Jablonec defended well but emphasised the need for improvement in creating scoring opportunities. The manager pointed out that a lack of precision in the final actions hampered their efforts, indicating areas for the team to work on as they continue in the competition.

via Sky Sports

Premier League standings

1 Man City 8 21
2 Arsenal 8 21
3 Brighton 7 16
4 Chelsea 8 13
5 Liverpool 7 12
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