Malick Yalcouye headed in a second-half winner as Brighton and Hove Albion beat Getafe 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League, moving Fabian Hurzeler’s side into the top eight.
The Ivory Coast midfielder was one of five changes Hurzeler made from the team’s 1-0 win at Manchester City last time out, and he rewarded that faith by breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute. Yalcouye headed home from close range after Costinha cushioned a header back across the face of goal.
Tension had been building for the Premier League side. Jaouen Hadjam had struck the woodwork twice earlier in the match. Substitute Ibrahim Osman then missed a chance to double the lead from close range, but the miss did not cost Brighton on the night. The win returned them to winning ways in Europe, following a frustrating 0-0 draw at Jablonec last time out.
The result lifts Brighton into fifth place in the standings, with three league-phase games still to play. They remain unbeaten in their three fixtures so far.
Key moments from the Estadio Coliseum
- 31′: Bart Verbruggen makes a big save to keep Ivan Azon’s shot at the near post.
- 38′: Hadjam races through on goal and squeezes the ball under the legs of Soria, but it 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 and misses a big chance to double the lead.
Hurzeler on a ‘lazy’ but deserved win
Brighton boss Fabian 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.”