Brighton 0-0 Sunderland, Bart Verbruggen tops ratings again | OneFootball

Bart Verbruggen again led the way as Brighton drew 0-0 with Sunderland, the goalkeeper’s reflex stop from Omar Alderete and a series of routine blocks preserving a clean sheet.

According to WeAreBrighton.com, this was the third straight match in which Verbruggen topped the ratings, with the report highlighting Brighton’s reliance on him and the shortage of a natural striker. It added that a January move for a number nine might be explored and was scathing about Georginio Rutter’s use up front, calling the persistence with it madness.

Mats Wieffer collided with former Seagull Simon Adingra in the first half and was withdrawn at the break, having earlier headed straight at Robin Roefs. Diego Coppola produced a solid full Premier League debut after Jan Paul van Hecke fell ill.

Olivier Boscagli, second only to Verbruggen in the ratings, defended assuredly and used the ball well. Ferdi Kadioglu was quiet, Jack Hinshelwood’s loose pass nearly gifted a one-on-one before Verbruggen intervened, and Yankubu Minteh flashed a low cross across the six-yard box with no one to finish.

Joel Veltman came on at half-time and the team looked more balanced. Kaoru Mitoma’s introduction drew instant double-marking, opening space for Brajan Gruda to help create two Yasin Ayari chances that flew over, while James Milner noticeably quickened the tempo.

Charalampos Kostoulas was caught by Dan Ballard in a challenge that brought only a yellow card and, if Danny Welbeck is not fit to face Arsenal, Kostoulas could be the starting option at centre forward. Tom Watson, eager to face his boyhood club he took to promotion with a last-minute play-off winner in May, saw four minutes plus added time.

Source: WeAreBrighton.com