Brighton boss Chris Hughton urges players to channel 'frustration' of defeat at Old Trafford into positive display against rivals Crystal Palace

  • Brighton suffered 1-0 defeat by Manchester United in close game at Old Trafford 
  • Seagulls welcome rivals Crystal Palace on Tuesday night in M23 derby 
  • Chris Hughton wants his side to harness 'frustration' of loss positively 

Brighton boss Chris Hughton has challenged his players to channel the frustration of a narrow defeat at Old Trafford into getting the better of rivals Crystal Palace.

The Seagulls saw a five-match unbeaten run brought to an end by Manchester United on Saturday, but only after Ashley Young's shot deflected in off defender Lewis Dunk to secure a 1-0 home win.

Hughton's side have little time to regroup, with the visit of Palace continuing a testing run of fixtures to end 2017.

Chris Hughton wants his side to channel the frustration of defeat in a positive way

Chris Hughton wants his side to channel the frustration of defeat in a positive way

The Brighton players were left disappointed after losing 1-0 against Manchester United

The Brighton players were left disappointed after losing 1-0 against Manchester United

The Brighton boss, though, sees no reason why the players cannot produce the required response.


'I thought we were very positive in the way we played (against United), we certainly didn't go there to just sit behind the ball and try and play on the counter-attack,' Hughton said.

'We had some really good periods ourselves. The big disappointment is the frustration of the goal - it is one of those very unusual deflected goals that goes against you.

'But the level of performance was good and we will need to take that forward against a very good Crystal Palace team.'

The visit of Palace has been eagerly awaited by the Amex Stadium faithful, with the 'local' rivalry of the M23 derby having its roots back in the mid-1970s when the clubs were battling for promotion back up through the divisions.

Hughton hopes to be able to give the Brighton fans some bragging rights.

'I have certainly been made more aware of it since I have been here, and it is only when you are here that the reasons for it become more apparent,' said Hughton, who took charge at the south-coast club on December 31 2014.

'It is very much one for both sets of supporters, as with any derby game you play, and it is one you want to win for them.'

A deflected Ashley Young shot proved to be the winner in a close contest at Old Trafford

A deflected Ashley Young shot proved to be the winner in a close contest at Old Trafford

United striker Romelu Lukaku has escaped any Football Association sanction for his alleged kick at Brighton defender Gaetan Bong during Saturday's match, which happened before the own goal, but was not acted on by officials.

Hughton, though, accepted whatever the outcome, it would ultimately have little bearing on preparations for Tuesday night's showdown against Palace.

'Of course I am aware of the incident, and the content of what happened,' Hughton said.

'The FA make the decisions for the reasons they do, but it is not something which effects us now, and our concentration must be on the next game.'

Romelu Lukaku escaped sanction for a kick out at Gaetan Bong during Saturday's match

Romelu Lukaku escaped sanction for a kick out at Gaetan Bong during Saturday's match