from David Stockdale as Brighton's
Championship title bid faltered at
Norwich on Friday.
A pair of unfortunate David Stockdale own goals
meant Brighton and Hove Albion were made to wait
for the Championship title as they lost 2-0 at
Norwich City on Friday.
Having sealed promotion to the Premier League
with victory over Wigan Athletic on Monday, Chris
Hughton's side - seven points ahead of nearest
rivals Newcastle United with three games
remaining - could have clinched top spot with a
win at Carrow Road, but two moments of
misfortune for Stockdale denied the league leaders.
Alex Pritchard's fine 18th-minute shot struck the
crossbar and ricocheted into the net via the
helpless Stockdale and, after John Ruddy's smart
save had denied Uwe Hunemeier's close-range
header at the other end, the Norwich midfielder
repeated the trick.
Pritchard, linked with a move to Brighton last year,
again hit the woodwork, the post this time
deflecting the ball against Stockdale and over the
line six minutes before half-time.
Hughton, on his return to his former club, failed to
muster a tangible response from the visitors as
Norwich held firm and retained a threat on the
break after the interval.Brighton could now see Newcastle close the gap at
the top to four points against Preston North End on
Monday, before the Seagulls take their title bid
back to the Amex Stadium to face Bristol City next
weekend.
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