Malick Yalcouye headed home the only goal in the 64th minute as Brighton and Hove Albion claimed a narrow 1-0 win at Getafe in the UEFA Conference League. The victory moved Fabian Hurzeler’s side into the top eight and back to winning ways in Europe.
The Ivory Coast midfielder was one of five changes Hurzeler made from the side that beat Manchester City 1-0 last time out, and he rewarded that faith by breaking the deadlock. Brighton had come under increasing pressure after Jaouen Hadjam struck the woodwork twice earlier in the match. The breakthrough came when Costinha cushioned his header back across the face of goal, allowing Yalcouye to head in from close range.
Substitute Ibrahim Osman had a chance to double the lead, but he skewed his shot wide from close range. The miss did not cost Brighton, who bounced back from a frustrating 0-0 draw at Jablonec. The win lifts them to fifth in the standings with three league-phase games remaining. They remain unbeaten in their three fixtures so far.
Key moments from Estadio Coliseum
31′: Bart Verbruggen makes a big save to keep Ivan Azon’s shot out at the near post.
38′: Hadjam races through on goal and squeezes the ball under the legs of Soria, but his effort hits the post.
52′: Hadjam has time and space in the box but curls his shot onto the top of the crossbar.
64′: Yalcouye breaks the deadlock with a header into the back of the net.
79′: Osman skews his shot from close range wide of the target, missing a big chance to double the lead.
Hurzeler on a “lazy” but deserved win
Hurzeler spoke to TNT Sports after the match:
“It was what we expected. The games in the Conference League are different; you have to beat the low block and you have to be patient.”
“We didn’t play our best game; we had moments where we were lazy. But we kept a clean sheet and scored a goal. We deserved to win this game.”
“It is always important to find solutions. I have to give praise to my team.”
“My players did it today, not at the highest level, but we had to win it.”