Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Cardiff City
BBC
Tuesday 24th Jan 2017
Brighton went back to the top of the Championship thanks to Tomer Hemed's winner against a determined Cardiff.
Chris Hughton's side were dominant in the second half but had to wait until the 73rd minute before Hemed smashed home after Oliver Norwood's assist.
The visiting Bluebirds had threatened in the first period, but David Stockdale denied Kenneth Zohore.
The match had been rearranged after the scheduled meeting on 30 December was postponed because of fog.
Cardiff remain 16th in the Championship while Brighton hold a two-point advantage over Newcastle.
The Seagulls made a fast start and might have led after only four minutes, but Jamie Murphy could not quite connect with a cross that only needed a slight touch to produce a certain goal.
Joe Ralls went close with Cardiff's first effort and that was a sign of things to come with the visitors lively on the break.
Zohore was guilty of spurning a good opportunity when he raced clear on 23 minutes, but shot straight at David Stockdale.
The visitors again went close when Sean Morrison headed firmly at goal from Ralls' free-kick, but Stockdale denied him by tipping the ball over the bar.
The goalkeeper was again called into action when Junior Hoilett cut inside and fired at goal, but Stockdale produced a fingertip stop to turn the ball wide.
Brighton did test Allan McGregor just before the break when Solly March broke clear, but his effort was held by the on-loan goalkeeper.
However, if Cardiff shaded the first period, the promotion-chasing hosts were dominant after the restart.
Chris Hughton's men spurned the best opportunity of the match when Israel international Hemed missed the target from close range after March's cross.
Brighton were gaining more and more control on the contest with Cardiff falling deeper and deeper in defence, no surprise perhaps considering six of the previous eight meetings between the two sides had ended level.
The longer the game stayed level the more Cardiff attempted to frustrate the hosts, but they got their breakthrough when substitute Norwood found Hemed, who turned past Sol Bamba and smashed the ball into the net.
Murphy almost made it two only a minute later after Connor Goldson's cut-back, but McGregor denied him. Anthony Knockaert also missed a late chance to increase the advantage.
Brighton held on comfortably despite a late effort from sub Craig Noone that was blocked.
The defeat for Neil Warnock's side was the first time Cardiff have lost a league game away at Brighton since January 2002, when Bobby Zamora netted the winner for the Seagulls.
BrightonCardiff
Possession
66%
34%
Shots
17
9
Shots on Target
5
4
Corners
8
5
Fouls
13
9
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