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Sunderland 0-2 Brighton Player Ratings and Fan Reaction
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- Sunderland 0-2 Brighton Player Ratings and Fan Reaction
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Brighton and Hove Albion were immediately back to winning ways after the extended international break, with a stunning 2-0 victory against Sunderland.
It is now the morning (just about afternoon) after, which means it is time to take a look through the players individually and see who stood out the most...
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Bart Verbruggen - 8
The Dutchman had some important tests, including multiple long-range efforts from Sunderland forwards.
While he wasn't tested to the highest degree, once again, he delivered when called upon. Verbruggen is slowly becoming the goalkeeper that every Brighton fan has wished for over the years! Stable.
Ferdi Kadioglu - 9.4
A monsterous performance from last season's best player. The Turkish full back was electric, up and down his flank and even inverting into midfield.
Kadioglu hasn't started the season the best, but he paid everyone's faith back with a fantastic defensive and offensive performance yesterday. Back to his best.
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Luka Vuskovic - 8
Despite a shaky first half, Vuskovic grew into the game. The teenage centre-back put his body on the line on many occasions and won his aerial duels remarkably well again.
The Croatian has stepped up his maturity and showed it well after Pascal Struijk's sending off.
Pascal Struijk - 7.5
Struijk wasn't actually bad until he was sent off, and particularly in the first half, he was the better of the two centre-backs.
However, the red does lower his rating somewhat, but he had a fairly steady game beyond that. Yes, I do think it was a red card.
Olivier Boscagli - 6.9
A rating that could feel harsh, but from my view, it felt like a game that Boscagli struggled in. The game seemed to change after Hadjam and Yalcouyé were introduced.
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While his passing is solid, the Monacan often struggles to keep up with the physical opponents, especially with away trips.
Chema Andrés - 8
Calm, composed, and becoming stronger on and off the ball. Andrés may not have stood out as much as his full debut game against Arsenal last time out, but the Spaniard is everything that Albion have been looking for regarding a presence in midfield.
Yasin Ayari - 9.8
One of the best players on the pitch by some margin. The Swede seems to keep improving his overall game, and yesterday he simply didn't stop running and pressuring for duels.
While he was previously viewed as a more technical but lightweight midfielder, Ayari is becoming more and more complete as the season progresses.
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Pascal Groß - 9.5
Is he getting... better? Groß just seems to be the most timeless asset amongst the Albion squad. Since returning from Borussia Dortmund, there really hasn't been anyone close to the class and quality of the Seagulls legend.
Another excellently weighted assist, and overall fantastic performance. Even at 35, he created chances and covered a silly amount of ground.
Diego Gomez - 9.3
Another excellent performance from Gomez. The Paraguayan is one of the club's hardest workers, and while he may not be the most technically gifted, he has everything Hürzeler needs in his squad.
Energy, work ethic, and tenacity. Gomez was key to Albion's win yesterday.
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Charalampos Kostoulas - 6
Not much to say for our Greek forward, who was unfortunately sacrificed after Struijk's red card.
Maxim De Cuyper - 8.7
A FORWARD, not a left-back. De Cuyper has shown how lethal he can be in front of goal this season. Energetic and a magnificent box crasher. It is no mistake that he keeps popping up with goals this season.
SUBS:
Georginio Rutter - 9
Georginio was on the pitch for a matter of minutes but influenced the game perfectly well. He threaded a great pass through to Hadjam and staked a claim to return to the Albion starting side.
Plus, some bonus points for his celebrations. Who couldn't love Georgi?
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Jaouen Hadjam - 9
A very happy welcome to the club to our full-back. The Algerian finished off a swift counter-attacking move with thanks to Georginio and Groß.
Hadjam may have been on the pitch for a short period of time, but what a moment for him!
Costinha - 7
The Portuguese defender had little to do, but perhaps looked a little more unsure than some of the other substitutions. With that said, he contributed towards one of the all-time Brighton defensive performances in the Premier League era under Hürzeler.
Lewis Dunk - 9
Coming into a game during a moment of high magnitude and pulling off an effortless defensive display like he did yesterday proved everything about why Dunk is still our best defender.
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From his blocks to composure on the ball, Dunk added maturity in a moment of adversity, and that deserves immeasurable credit.
Malick Yalcouyé - 9
My unpopular opinion is that without Yalcouyé, maybe Albion wouldn't have won this game. Despite the impressive low blocking from the Albion defence, the Malian added an espresso shot of excitement to the Albion midfield.
Perhaps Sunderland were not expecting to be chased down from every angle, but Yalcouyé broke up the play to carve out more opportunities for the Seagulls than expected, which earned him a high rating.
