Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Hull City 0.
BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion1HullHull City0
Unbeaten Brighton extended their lead at the top of the Championship to four points with a home win over Hull City, who had started the day in second spot.
The Tigers were punished for a slow start as Tomer Hemed netted his third goal in two games for the Seagulls.
Israel striker Hemed turned in from close range after an initial shot by Dale Stephens was blocked.
In the closing stages, Bobby Zamora came on for his first home outing for Brighton since April 2003.
After a sluggish opening, Hull boss Steve Bruce introduced midfielder Tom Huddlestone from the bench before half-time and also changed his side's formation in an attempt to make an impact on the game.
However, the visitors failed to register a shot on target until home goalkeeper David Stockdale kept out efforts from Ahmed Elmohamady, Mo Diame and Abel Hernandez in the final 20 minutes.
Despite Hull's late flurry, Brighton held on for their fifth win in six league matches and Chris Hughton's side would have doubled their lead late on but for Michael Dawson's last-ditch block to deny Beram Kayal.
They had made the perfect start when summer signing Hemed tapped in with five minutes played to continue his excellent scoring form.
Hemed could have had two more goals by half-time, but he failed to turn in Liam Rosenior's cross and saw a shot deflected into the arms of Tigers goalkeeper Allan McGregor during an excellent opening spell for the hosts.
Before kick-off, both sides paid tribute to the 11 victims of the Shoreham air disaster.
Matt Grimstone, a member of Brighton's ground staff, and Seagulls supporter Jacob Schilt were among those who died when a Hunter Hawker jet crashed on to the A27 on 22 August.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton:
"A tribute can go two ways. It can draw you on and motivate you, and the way we started I would like to think that it inspired the players.
"It was a fitting tribute by the club and it was a fitting day; in particular for the two lads (Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt).
"We've made a tremendous start and I could not have envisaged it. I was hopeful we could challenge better. At the moment the margins are going our way."
Hull manager Steve Bruce:
"It took us at least 30 minutes to get going. In the second half we deserved a point as we dominated possession but we needed to create a couple of chances.
"At home we've been impressive but away from home we need to improve. We have been too up and down.
"I'm not making excuses but it's ridiculous to go to Cardiff on Tuesday when there are at least six other teams that we could play."
Line-ups
Brighton
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Stockdale
- 2Bruno
- 3GreerBooked at 40mins
- 4Hünemeier
- 12Bong
- 23Rosenior
- 6StephensBooked at 81mins
- 7Kayal
- 30Lua LuaBooked at 37minsSubstituted forMurphyat 87'minutes
- 10HemedSubstituted forInceat 67'minutes
- 9BaldockSubstituted forZamoraat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Mäenpää
- 5Dunk
- 15Murphy
- 18Forster-Caskey
- 20March
- 24Ince
- 25Zamora
Hull
Formation 4-3-3
- 1McGregor
- 2OdubajoBooked at 63mins
- 21Dawson
- 6Davies
- 11Clucas
- 7MeylerBooked at 29minsSubstituted forHuddlestoneat 31'minutes
- 17Diamé
- 20HaydenSubstituted forAlukoat 68'minutes
- 27El Mohamady
- 19AkpomSubstituted forLuerat 82'minutes
- 9Hernández
Substitutes
- 4Bruce
- 5Taylor
- 8Huddlestone
- 16Jakupovic
- 24Aluko
- 26Robertson
- 32Luer
- Referee:
- Simon Hooper
- Attendance:
- 24,815
Match Stats
Home TeamBrightonAway TeamHull
- Possession
- Home40%
- Away60%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Hull City 0.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Abel Hernández (Hull City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Michael Dawson.
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Allan McGregor (Hull City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Liam Rosenior (Brighton and Hove Albion).
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Attempt blocked. Beram Kayal (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gaëtan Bong.
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Jamie Murphy replaces Kazenga Lua Lua.
Post update
Foul by Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City).
Post update
Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Curtis Davies (Hull City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Bruno (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Hull City. Greg Luer replaces Chuba Akpom.
Booking
Dale Stephens (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Delay in match Chuba Akpom (Hull City) because of an injury.
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Chuba Akpom (Hull City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Dale Stephens (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Post update
Attempt missed. Mohamed Diamé (Hull City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Sone Aluko following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Hull City. Conceded by Uwe Hünemeier.
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Bobby Zamora replaces Sam Baldock.
