Chris Hughton 'Disappointed' Not to Come Away With 3 Points' Following 1-1 Draw With Everton

Following a 1-1 draw with Everton, Brighton manager Chris Hughton was left feeling "disappointed" as the home side couldn't hold on to make it three league wins on the bounce at the Falmer Stadium. 

A late Rooney penalty meant the teams shared the points in a game where Brighton were arguably the better side. Anthony Knockaert opened the scoring with 10 minutes to go in what seemed to be the winner - but Bruno's error led to Michael Oliver pointing to the spot. 

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"It was a fairly even first half" said Hughton, speaking to the BBC, "As the game opened up, we were probably the side more likely to score. That we did, and I felt in general play, even with the quality they've got - that they probably wouldn't carve us open. Even more disappointed we didn't come away with three points."

Everton lacked a cutting edge going forward, whereas Brighton could rely upon Anthony Knockaert who was terrific in the second half and back to his best: "That comes with games, we know Anthony's ability, he's a good player and we know what he can give us on the ball.

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"He's at the highest level and up against better defenders" Hughton continued, "His work for the team is even more important at this level, but it was good to see him back on the scoresheet." Ending a drought of 13 games without a goal, the club's top scorer from last season was on fine form. 

However, both fans and Hughton would have been left feeling bitter, having to settle for a point: "If you don't put your chances away, what happened can happen. We learnt that in the first game of the season. In credit to Bruno he's had a lot of aerial duels in that second half where he used his body well. He looked to do this again but the referee got it right."

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Hughton praised his side's performance across the season so far, as Brighton currently sit in 14th after being tipped as one of the favourites for relegation: "We've been in every game bar the two big games [Manchester City and Arsenal]. 

"We're already seeing some bigger scores in this league and you have to be on your game to compete. Every game is a massive game and we have to get our points when we can" said Hughton. Off the back of another good home performance, Hughton will be hoping to turn the Falmer Stadium into a fortress for the duration of the season.