Brighton February ratings: Van Hecke leads as grim run ends with Brentford win | OneFootball

A grim February left Brighton’s player ratings low, with only Jan Paul van Hecke and James Milner scoring in the sixes, according to WeAreBrighton.com.

Both missed the 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace, so their averages were untouched. Supporters turned on the manager, yet he stayed in post throughout February.

At Aston Villa, a Jack Hinshelwood own goal in the final 10 minutes settled it. Liverpool then cruised past Brighton 3-0 in the FA Cup.

Fabian Hurzeler reset at Brentford, picked experience and went more direct, and Brighton earned a needed 2-0 win.

Van Hecke led on 6.30, steadying the defence at Villa before a planned change to protect his hamstring, and impressing at Liverpool and Brentford.

Milner scored 6.00, equalled then broke Gareth Barry’s Premier League appearance record with substance, 70 minutes at Villa before man of the match at Brentford.

Bart Verbruggen was Brighton’s standout against Palace with a crucial one-on-one save, then denied a Veltman near own goal to preserve the Brentford clean sheet.

Ferdi Kadioglu won Brighton’s February Player of the Month for a third straight time yet ranked sixth. His 25-yard strike off the bar set up Diego Gomez to break the drought, before Danny Welbeck punished Nathan Collins for 2-0.

Elsewhere, Veltman ranked fourth from two starts, Dunk handled Ollie Watkins and Igor Thiago, Mitoma improved after a rest, Baleba was withdrawn after 21 minutes at Villa, Wieffer returned then started, Minteh awaits a recall, while Georginio Rutter and Matt O’Riley had low ratings.

Source: WeAreBrighton.com