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Three things learnt from Brighton’s 3-0 victory over League One Southend United
Brighton have enjoyed a fine start to pre-season in terms of results, seeing off the challenge of League Two side Crawley Town with ease as they thrashed the hosts 6-0. They followed that up with a trip to Germany, where they beat Fortuna Dusseldorf by two goals to nil.
Tuesday night saw their third test as they traveled to League One Southend United. The game started evenly, with Phil Brown’s side dominating the early stages of the game.
It took just ten minutes of quality to decide the game, with Solly March’s brace and a Glenn Murray header putting the game beyond doubt before half time. In a good test for Chris Hughton’s men, the second half was a pure fitness exercise for both sides.
Here’s what The Boot Room learnt from the game…
Solly March will be at the heart of everything Brighton do this summer
The winger’s brace late in the second half opened the scoring and set his side on the way to victory. His skills and trickery down the right flank gave Stephen Hendrie a headache from start to finish and he clearly looked a class above.
When given the opportunity, he drifted to find space in the box and gave himself half a yard before putting a pinpoint shot past the helpless Ted Smith and into the far top corner of the net, before following it up with a precise finish into the bottom corner only minutes later.
Izzy Brown could be a valuable addition
Brighton’s attack does not lack much, but if there is one thing then it may be pace. Brown adds that in bucketloads. His run down the wing and exquisite cross straight onto the head of Glenn Murray set up his team’s third goal.
Brown was clearly settling into his new side on his first appearance in blue and white stripes since joining on loan on Tuesday. He will only get better as he gets to know his new team-mates, but it was a promising start for the 20-year-old.
Keep an eye out for the name Dru Yearwood
The 17-year-old signed a four year contract on Tuesday afternoon and followed it up with his Roots Hall debut against the Seagulls. The Southend central midfielder bossed the midfield and showed great vision and a brilliant range of passing, setting up the likes of Simon Cox and Marc-Antoine Fortune with 40 yard passes.
It may be too soon to expect much from the energetic youngster, but he has impressed Phil Brown in pre-season and looks set for a role in the first team squad this season.