Florin Andone’s first goal in English football earned Brighton the victory and their first in four Premier League matches. The Romanian striker, signed from Deportivo La Coruña in the summer and making his first Premier League start, headed home the second-half winner.
Huddersfield, who played the last hour with 10 men following the controversial dismissal of Steve Mounié, had stormed into a first-minute lead through Mathias Jørgensen.
Brighton equalised in first-half stoppage time through Shane Duffy’s towering header and made their numerical advantage tell in the second period.
David Wagner was unhappy with Michael Oliver: “We have to accept the referee’s decision and he thought it was a red card,” the Huddersfield manager said. “The next big decision was a clear penalty on Alex Pritchard and a red card because it was a clear chance.
“All the big ones against us he got wrong. This is why at the moment football is no fun. Absolutely no fun. The referee has a big part to play and I don’t think he did his best. Even if he didn’t mean to.”
Chris Hughton said: “It is difficult when you are the team with 11 men but we made the extra man show and Florin Andone’s goal was excellent. It is an important three points away from home.”
The hosts charged out of the blocks and went 1-0 up after 55 seconds – the quickest goal in the Premier League this season. Brighton’s Spanish defender Bruno made a hash of his attempted clearance and after the ball looped back into the penalty area, Jørgensen headed in off the crossbar.
The visitors went close to an equaliser in the 15th minute. Duffy’s header was saved by Jonas Lössl and Andone fired the rebound straight at Jonathan Hogg on the goal-line. Alex Pritchard then threatened for Huddersfield, pulling a low shot wide from 18 yards after his initial effort had been blocked.
Huddersfield were dealt a major blow in the 32nd minute when Mounié was shown a red card for his challenge on Yves Bissouma. It appeared to be a harsh decision. Mounié caught Bissouma high on the shin but there looked to be little intent.
Terence Kongolo’s header was scrambled clear and after Oliver had waved away penalty appeals from the hosts when Pritchard went down, Aaron Mooy’s free-kick from 20 yards out forced Mathew Ryan into a smart low save.
Brighton equalised just before the interval. Solly March curled over an enticing cross and Duffy rose highest to power home his header.
Lössl dived low to keep out Bissouma’s shot early in the second period and then held Davy Pröpper’s follow-up.
Huddersfield added some beef up front by sending on Laurent Depoitre for Pritchard, but the big Belgian ploughed a lonely furrow.
Huddersfield sat deep in numbers but were only able to contain Brighton until the 69th minute. Not for the first time March delivered an excellent cross and Andone got in front of his marker to head home at the near post. He was replaced by Glenn Murray with 11 minutes remaining and Brighton saw the game out with few scares for their fifth league win of the season.
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