10-man Brighton continue impressive start with hard-fought win at Sunderland

[p]With the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Seagulls[/a] flying into this game in such good form, it was no surprise to see the visitors make a bright start to the match.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/roefs-robin/Ao7TtUZn/"]Robin Roefs[/a] was called into urgent action early on to deny [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gomez-diego/KrSC9Fhb/"]Diego Gomez[/a] from edging Brighton in front before [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vuskovic-luka/QLMh9ouh/"]Luka Vuskovic[/a] headed the ball over the bar from close range.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Sunderland[/a]’s first notable opportunity materialised midway through the first half, when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/isidor-wilson/veOg2tx3/"]Wilson Isidor[/a]’s drilled shot from inside the box was deflected onto the post. [/p][image alt="Match stats" id="cdace4ce-16f1-4642-86e7-472216b25723" credit-line="Flashscore" hidden-attrs="alt, credit" guid="56b6e39b-c7c6-417e-b657-e5d0d073f4cc" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]That chance gave the hosts momentum and they almost capitalised on the half-hour mark through [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/meunier-thomas/WUyrShAL/"]Thomas Meunier[/a], but an outstanding block from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kadioglu-ferdi/CtCaHRd7/"]Ferdi Kadioglu[/a] came to Brighton’s rescue and kept the score level.[/p][p]That proved to be Meunier’s last significant contribution to the match, as an injury shortly afterwards spelt an early end to his game.[/p][p]Despite the Black Cats’ resurgence, the Seagulls should have taken the lead with literally the last touch of the ball before the interval, but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/struijk-pascal/dQgXn8kR/"]Pascal Struijk[/a]’s header from only a few yards out somehow hit the woodwork.[/p][p][b]The deadlock was finally broken eight minutes after the interval, and it was the visitors who made the breakthrough thanks to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-cuyper-maxim/GGc6kPWT/"]Maxim De Cuyper[/a]’s excellent finish following [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gross-pascal/trpxfbO3/"]Pascal Gross[/a]’ exquisite pass. [/b][/p][image alt="De Cuyper celebrates scoring the opener" id="cc09aaed-d091-4ed8-8c95-fda1a6da6b31" credit-line="Oli SCARFF / AFP / AFP / Profimedia" guid="7177f563-caca-479d-82fd-ec0157bcb419" original-width="1400" original-height="933" /][p]Sunderland, though, were given a boost soon afterwards when Struijk was retrospectively shown a red card for denying Isidor a clear goalscoring opportunity.[/p][image alt="Pascal Struijk received his marching orders" id="8f4d8c69-5032-4fff-b27c-8701f0ee20bb" credit-line="Oli SCARFF / AFP / AFP / Profimedia" guid="23d067c2-64b8-41e6-9694-1c2d9b603e74" original-width="1400" original-height="966" /][p][b]Despite the extra man advantage, Regis Le Bris’ side just couldn’t find a way past a very well-organised and resolute Brighton defence in the closing stages, and the Seagulls sealed all three points in stoppage time after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hadjam-jaouen/WOYIq4cD/"]Jaouen Hadjam[/a]’s confident strike to beat Roefs and find the bottom corner.[/b][/p][p]Fabian Hurzeler’s side remain in third position in the Premier League table and sit just two points behind [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a].[/p][p]Both sides must now switch their attention to Europe. Sunderland are next in action on Thursday evening when they travel to S.C.U.[/p][p]Torreense in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League, while Brighton host [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/fk-kauno-zalgiris/0p17kQla/"]FK Kauno Zalgiris[/a] on the same night in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mukiele-nordi/MoObMvb7/"]Nordi Mukiele[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Sunderland[/a])[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/brighton-2XrRecc3/sunderland-WSzc94ws/summary/stats/?mid=Qw1VY6lB"]Catch up on the match stats with Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]