BRIGHTON: Promoted Brighton and Hove Albion’s promising Premier League campaign continued as they twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Stoke City on Monday.

Colombia winger Jose Izquierdo earned Brighton a point with a 60th-minute goal at the Amex Stadium, scoring at the second attempt after his initial cutback was cleared.

The visitors went ahead through Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting but Pascal Gross steered in his third goal of the season to bring Brighton level just before the break only for Kurt Zouma to head Stoke back in front moments later.

A third straight home draw frustrated some supporters but Brighton manager Chris Hughton put the point into perspective.

“When you have been behind twice you have to show character and we did. We were not at our best today. Stoke are a very manly team, we had to stand up to that,” Hughton told Sky Sports.

“We have to be realistic. We are playing against better teams and better players and if you can’t win games then try to make sure you don’t lose them.”

The draw leaves Brighton in ninth place on 16 points from 12 games, seven points above the relegation zone and three points above Mark Hughes’ Stoke, who stay in 15th.

“It’s an away point and you have to be happy with that. Brighton didn’t create too much of note so we are disappointed with the goals we conceded,” said Stoke boss Hughes.

“Overall we were very much in control of the game. I suppose we have to be happy with the result,” he added.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2017