MX23RW : Tuesday, January 22 12:09:34

Brighton remain positive when playing at Premier League's elite, insists Hughton

Brighton remain positive when playing at Premier League's elite, insists Hughton
© Reuters
Albion have never won away against the Premier League's top six clubs.

Chris Hughton insists Brighton retain a positive approach to away matches against the Premier League's top clubs in spite of their dreadful record.

Albion have lost on each of their eight trips to the division's top six teams since promotion in 2017, conceding 16 times and scoring just once.

The Seagulls will attempt to break that poor run at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's resurgent Manchester United side on Saturday.

Ahead of the visit to Old Trafford, manager Hughton says he has never instructed his players to settle for a draw when travelling to superior opponents.

"With us, in everything we've said going away to the big teams we've always been very positive," said Hughton.

"We've never gone to a (Manchester) City or Liverpool and said 'we are going to play this way and let's try to get a draw'.

"We've always spoken about how we can win the game.

"It just so happens that to win a game at a top-six team, defensively you have to play well.

"There is never any problem with the mindset, it's just the difficulty of the task."

While they have had little to cheer on the road against the top six, results at home have been considerably better.

They have twice beaten United teams managed by Jose Mourinho at the Amex Stadium, as well as taking four points from a possible six against Arsenal, and holding Tottenham to a draw last season.

"Points away from home are going to be more difficult, particularly when you go to the likes of Old Trafford," added Hughton.

"Certainly we'll need that bit of luck and fortune, things to go your way but ultimately you have to play well enough.

"You know as a team you will have to defend well and will have to have a good structure and play well on the ball and give yourself chances to win the game."

Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma, who missed last weekend's defeat to leaders Liverpool, faces a late fitness test on a hip problem.

Left-back Bernardo (hamstring) and winger Jose Izquierdo (knee) remain sidelined, while Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan and Iran winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh are still on international duty at the Asian Cup.


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Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring against Newcastle United in the Premier League on January 2, 2019.
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23193154134160
2Manchester CityMan City23182362174556
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs23170648232551
4Chelsea23145440192147
5Arsenal23135548321644
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd23135546331344
7Watford239683232033
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves239592731-432
9Leicester CityLeicester2394102929031
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2394103034-431
11Everton238693433130
12Bournemouth2393113342-930
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2375112532-726
14Crystal Palace2364132332-922
15Southampton2357112540-1522
16Burnley2364132343-2022
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2356121931-1221
18Cardiff CityCardiff2354141944-2519
19Fulham2335152151-3014
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2325161340-2711

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