Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Blackburn Rovers 0.
BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion1BlackburnBlackburn Rovers0
Brighton made it three wins from four in the Championship with a hard-fought victory over winless Blackburn Rovers.
The only goal came when Sam Baldock played in Kazenga LuaLua, whose powerful shot beat David Raya and found the top corner against the run of play.
David Stockdale made a crucial second-half save to keep Brighton ahead when Nathan Delfouneso was through on goal.
The hosts grew into the game in the second half and were able to keep Rovers out and go second in the table.
Kick-off at the Amex Stadium was delayed for 15 minutes because of the plane crash at Shoreham Airshow.
But when the game did get under way it was Blackburn who made the better start, with both forward Fode Koita and winger Craig Conway forcing saves out of Stockdale.
Brighton made the visitors rue their missed chances when LuaLua rifled in from the edge of the box for his third goal of the season.
Stockdale then saved from Delfouneso before Shane Duffy wasted the chance to equalise in the last minute when he headed over from six yards.
Blackburn have now drawn two and lost two of their opening four games and drop into the bottom three.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton: "Our keeper (David Stockdale) pulled off some really important saves and at this moment we are doing okay.
"The encouraging thing is that, although we didn't play particularly well, we are winning games. We were not at our best on a hot afternoon."
Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer: "It's a difficult place to come to and Chris has done a great job with his recruitment, but we should have been 2-0 up after 20 minutes.
"We created a lot of chances and should have been out of sight after 25 minutes. Their keeper made two great saves.
"Going 1-0 down was harsh on us but we stuck at it and never stopped. We should have taken something away from here."
Line-ups
Brighton
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Stockdale
- 2Bruno
- 3GreerBooked at 46mins
- 4HünemeierBooked at 75mins
- 12Bong
- 15MurphySubstituted forMarchat 78'minutes
- 6Stephens
- 7KayalBooked at 72mins
- 30Lua LuaBooked at 90mins
- 10HemedSubstituted forO'Gradyat 88'minutes
- 9BaldockSubstituted forInceat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Mäenpää
- 5Dunk
- 11O'Grady
- 18Forster-Caskey
- 20March
- 23Rosenior
- 24Ince
Blackburn
Formation 4-4-2
- 33Raya
- 10MarshallBooked at 90mins
- 22DuffyBooked at 39mins
- 5Hanley
- 3Spurr
- 16LawrenceSubstituted forKilgallonat 83'minutes
- 23GuthrieBooked at 90mins
- 21Akpan
- 32Conway
- 8KoitaSubstituted forBarrowat 69'minutes
- 7Delfouneso
Substitutes
- 4Kilgallon
- 14Olsson
- 17Williamson
- 29Evans
- 30Steele
- 31Barrow
- Referee:
- Andy Madley
- Attendance:
- 22,659
Match Stats
Home TeamBrightonAway TeamBlackburn
- Possession
- Home64%
- Away36%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away5
- Corners
- Home4
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Blackburn Rovers 0.
Booking
Danny Guthrie (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Danny Guthrie (Blackburn Rovers).
Booking
Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Post update
Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Booking
Ben Marshall (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ben Marshall (Blackburn Rovers).
Post update
Foul by Chris O'Grady (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Post update
Ben Marshall (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Craig Conway with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Chris O'Grady replaces Tommer Hemed.
Post update
Foul by Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Post update
Ben Marshall (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Modou Barrow (Blackburn Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Rohan Ince replaces Sam Baldock.
