Brighton manager Chris Hughton believes his side 'are learning' still in the Premier League after their entertaining draw with Stoke

  • Brighton drew 2-2 with Stoke at home on Monday night in the Premier League
  • Chris Hughton's side have extended their unbeaten run to five matches
  • Brighton currently sit ninth in the English top flight after their first 12 matches 

Chris Hughton admitted his Brighton side are still learning about life in the Premier League after they twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Stoke.

Goals from Pascal Gross and record signing Jose Izquierdo cancelled out strikes from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Kurt Zouma to extend promoted Albion's unbeaten run to five matches.

Boss Hughton said: 'We have to be realistic, we weren't at our best, we made errors for the goals, but these things will happen against good teams.

Chris Hughton's Brighton side drew 2-2 with Stoke on Monday night in the Premier League

Chris Hughton's Brighton side drew 2-2 with Stoke on Monday night in the Premier League

'Credit to the players, you had a Stoke team who at times were very happy to defend their own half.


'We learned a bit today against a good, solid, manly team. We are learning.'

Brighton found themselves behind in the 28th minute when Xherdan Shaqiri lifted a long ball into the area.

Lewis Dunk misjudged the flight, but Choupo-Moting read it perfectly, expertly bringing the ball down before side-footing past Mathew Ryan.

Brighton were then incensed when Ryan Shawcross tripped Glenn Murray in the box, only for referee Lee Mason to refuse them what looked a clear spot-kick.

Even Shawcross himself admitted it 'probably was a penalty,' and Hughton added: 'I was just waiting for the referee to give it.

'We were really, really disappointed with that.'

However, City boss Mark Hughes saw things differently.

Hughton insists Brighton 'are still learning' in the English top flight following their 2-2 draw

Hughton insists Brighton 'are still learning' in the English top flight following their 2-2 draw

'My initial reaction was that he (Murray) splayed his legs to get some contact,' he said.

'Ryan was within his rights to shepherd the ball out, the lad wasn't going to get on the end of it.

'I thought the referee did well and wasn't swayed by the crowd. It was a good decision.'

Nevertheless, just before the interval Brighton hauled themselves level courtesy of a third goal of the season for Gross.

The impressive Davy Propper tiptoed past four Stoke defenders before being forced out wide, from where he laid the ball back for Gross to smash through the legs of Lee Grant.

But moments later Stoke retook the lead, Choupo-Moting heading Darren Fletcher's corner back across goal for Zouma to nod home his first Potters goal.

Ryan Shawcross tripped Glenn Murray in the box but were not given a penalty on Monday

Ryan Shawcross tripped Glenn Murray in the box but were not given a penalty on Monday

However, Zouma was at fault when Brighton equalised for a second time on the hour mark, missing his header and allowing Murray to touch the ball through to Izquierdo.

The winger initially tried to cross the ball, but it bounced back off Kevin Wimmer, allowing Izquierdo to prod home from close range.

Hughes threw on Peter Crouch, who set a new Premier League record with his 143rd substitute appearance in the process, but he was unable to mark it with a winner.

Hughes added: 'My initial reaction is tinged with disappointment.

'Any away point gained is a good result usually, but having got into a winning position twice that's where the disappointment lies.

'The goals were avoidable, I didn't feel Brighton created anything of real significance. We'll take a point but maybe with a slight hint of disappointment as well.'