Saturday 20 October 2018 18:47, UK
Chris Hughton insisted his Brighton side had to "earn" their 1-0 victory at Newcastle, while giving good news on Glenn Murray's health.
Keram Bayal's first-half goal proved to be enough for Brighton to pick up a first away Premier League win in 18 - a run stretching back almost a year.
Newcastle attempted 27 shots without finding the net - their most in a Premier League game without scoring since February 2014 (28 vs Sunderland) - but that is not a true reflection of the solid defensive effort Brighton put in, Hughton believes.
"We rode our luck at times, but it was a fighting performance that was needed," Hughton told Sky Sports. "For all of Newcastle's play around the box and shots that they had they did not create the real clear chance.
"Defensively we were very strong and were very good on the counter attack - it was a well-earned victory away from home today.
"Much has been made of our record away from home, so what has given me the most joy is how we have had to earn it. It was not easy. We had to defend well, they put a lot of balls into the box, we had a goalkeeper that had to make some very good saves and we had some defenders who got a lot of headers and made plenty of blocks.
"Not taking anything away from the team - everyone played their part. On another day, they get a goal that comes from a deflection or something and it becomes a difficult afternoon. We weathered the storm a little bit, but in the end we got a satisfying and well-earned victory."
Brighton had to play the majority of the match without striker Murray, who was stretchered off following a nasty clash of heads with Newcastle's Federico Fernandez, but Hughton revealed the prognosis is good.
"At the moment, it is difficult to tell as he is a bit sore, but he has been discharged from hospital." Hughton added.
"All is okay, he has had the appropriate scans and is, of course, going to sore for a while, but we will doing everything we can in the coming days. It is good news."
