Brighton 2-0 Leeds: Player ratings as Gross & Welbeck ease Seagulls' relegation fears

From the Amex - Brighton moved up to 14th and established a ten point gap above the relegation zone as Pascal Gross' penalty and Danny Welbeck's stunning finish saw them beat a blunt Leeds at the Amex.

Uncharastically given their performances over the season, the Seagulls' early pressure told in the 14th minute when Welbeck was hauled down in the area, allowing Gross to convert clinically for the opener.

Brighton missed a host of brilliant opportunities but eventually put the game to bed when Welbeck turned Pascal Struijk with a flick in the box and slammed beyond Illan Meslier for his fifth Premier League goal of the season.

Leeds were disappointing in attack, often failing to get their set piece deliveries right, with Seagulls stopper Robert Sanchez having just two saves to make.

The result is a major boost for Brighton, who are now well clear of the bottom three with just four games of their season left to play, while Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds remain ninth as they look to secure a top ten finish in the Premier League.

Let's get into the player ratings from the south coast.

BRIGHTON PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Robert Sanchez (GK) - 7/10 - A commanding presence in goal. Sanchez was plucked from obscurity as Mathew Ryan faded out of the first team picture and delivered another assured display with plenty of booming shouts for his defenders.

Ben White (CB) - 7/10 - Happy to join in attacks and marched into Leeds' box on one occasion before running the ball out of play. Instinctive header went just over in the second half. Calm and composed against his former side.

Lewis Dunk (CB) - 7/10 - Distributed the ball well from central defence and galloped into space when it presented itself.

Adam Webster (CB) - 7/10 - Little quieter than his defensive teammates but did everything required of him to blunt Leeds' attack.

2. Wing-backs & midfielders

Joel Veltman (RWB) - 6/10 - Passed up a magnificent chance to extend Brighton's lead, slamming over when well placed. Often available on the right.

Pascal Gross (CM) - 7/10 - Cooly dispatched the penalty to give Albion the lead. Smooth and classy on the ball throughout, readily available to receive possession and usually made the right decision in attack.

Yves Bissouma (CM) - 8/10 - Another brilliant and consistent performance from Brighton's star man. Knew when to take the ball forward himself and distribute, also making three tackles and three interceptions.

Dan Burn (LWB) - 7/10 - Won a number of important headers as Leeds started to grow into the game towards the end of the first half. One weaving run set up Veltman's great chance. Great feet for a big man.

Leandro Trossard (AM) - 7/10 - Shot straight down Meslier's throat with two decent opportunities early on. Missed a glorious chance to double Brighton's lead from a pull-back with the goal at his mercy. Teed play up nicely before being withdrawn for Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

3. Forwards

Neal Maupay (ST) - 6/10 - Scuffed a good chance from a pull-back. Few loose touches when Brighton needed him to hold the ball up but his pressing early on clearly rattled Leeds' defenders.

Danny Welbeck (ST) - 8/10 - Great battling in the area to win his side the penalty. Skewed just wide from a tight angle when played through on goal. Like Maupay, pressed really well before stealing the show with a terrific flicked turn as he smashed past Meslier.

4. Substitutes

Alireza Jahanbakhsh - 5/10

Jakub Moder - N/A

Alexis Mac Allister - N/A

LEEDS PLAYER RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Illan Meslier (GK) - 6/10 - Guessed the right way with the penalty but couldn't get close enough. Stopped a Welbeck poke to stop the former Arsenal forward scoring, though could do nothing for Brighton's second.

Luke Ayling (RB) - 6/10 - Struggled with the link-up between Burn and Welbeck down Brighton's left. A decent outlet down the right and took responsibility on the ball when needed.

Diego Llorente (CB) - 4/10 - Avoided Brighton's press well at times but then conceded possession to Welbeck in a terrible position, with Trossard's awful miss bailing him out of trouble. Brought off just before Brighton's second as Leeds chased the game.

Pascal Struijk (CB) - 4/10 - Struggled with Welbeck and Maupay's pressing like Llorente. Completely rinsed by Welbeck's turn for Brighton's second.

Ezgjan Alioski (LB) - 5/10 - Made little contribution of note and was taken off for Ian Poveda at half time.

6. Midfielders

Robin Koch (DM) - 6/10 - Leeds' best player during the first half, in which he made five tackles and won three headers. Main problem was he isn't Kalvin Phillips.

Stuart Dallas (RM) - 5/10 - Didn't get much joy out on the right and switched to left back when Alioski was withdrawn. Smashed a volley over the top but FPL managers across the world won't be happy with his performance.

Mateusz Klich (CM) - 5/10 - Looked pretty laboured throughout. Leeds' midfield badly missed Phillips and none of the three who started could offer the same assurance and composure on the ball as the England man.

Tyler Roberts (CM) - 6/10 - Had a shout for a second half penalty turned down. Busy and steady without making a telling impact.

Jack Harrison (LM) - 5/10 - Sent a whizzing half volley just past the far post from outside the area. His set pieces were often overhit and disappointing.

7. Forward

Patrick Bamford (ST) - 5/10 - Had just 14 touches in the first half, the fewest of any player - including the two goalkeepers - on the pitch. Just never got into the game and was hooked in the 58th minute.

8. Substitutes

Ian Poveda - 6/10 - Busy on the ball and looked like he could make something happen for Leeds, though nothing ever materialised.

Rodrigo - 5/10 - Like Bamford, just didn't offer enough in attack.

Pablo Hernandez - N/A

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