Jablonec 0-0 Brighton: Seagulls held despite dominating possession
Brighton's perfect away record in this season's Conference League came to an end in the Czech Republic, as the Seagulls were held to a goalless draw by Jablonec at the Stadion Strelnice. Albion remain unbeaten in the league phase and stay on four points, but a hugely one-sided game in terms of territory and chances ended without a breakthrough.
Fabian Hurzeler's side dominated the ball from the start, finishing the match with 72.1% possession to Jablonec's 27.9%, and piled forward relentlessly, racking up 26 shots to the hosts' nine. Yet accuracy let them down badly, with only four of those efforts actually hitting the target - the same number as Jablonec managed from far fewer attempts. Jablonec's goalkeeper made four saves to preserve the clean sheet at the other end.
The first half passed without a clear opening being converted, the sides going in level at the break. The second period followed a similar pattern, with Brighton probing patiently - seven corners won compared to Jablonec's two underlined how much the game was played in the home side's half - but a final ball or finish was always missing.
Jablonec made a double change just after the hour, sending on Sebastian Nebyla and Garang Kuol, and the substitute Nebyla was booked for a foul minutes later. Brighton responded with a flurry of their own changes, with Chema Andrés, Luka Vuskovic, Yasin Ayari and Promise David all introduced around the 68th minute as Hurzeler searched for something different in attack.
Costinha was shown a yellow card for Brighton for a "bad foul" shortly after coming under pressure from Jablonec's revamped side, while the hosts picked up a string of bookings of their own in the closing stages, with Antonin Rusek, Dusan Pavlovic and Martin Cedidla all cautioned as the Czech side dug in for a point. Cedidla's yellow card came for handball with five minutes of normal time remaining. Ferdi Kadioglu was Brighton's final substitute, replacing Jaouen Hadjam late on, but neither side could find a winner before the final whistle.
The draw means Brighton's fine recent form - they arrived in Jablonec on the back of five straight wins - continues without defeat, even if the three points proved elusive. It also arrived in the midst of a hectic schedule that has seen Albion in red-hot domestic form, sitting third in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, SussexWorld has been covering the broader mood around the club, reporting on head coach Fabian Hurzeler's response to transfer speculation, under the headline "'I know' - Fabian Hurzeler issues Brighton verdict amid Manchester United claim" (SussexWorld).
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