Wednesday 20 August 2014 15:49, UK
Brighton grabbed their first win of the season as goals by Joao Teixeira and substitute Kazenga LuaLua earned a 2-0 triumph and punished Leeds for a dismal home performance.
Brighton, without a goal or a point from their opening two Championship games, shocked the home crowd by racing into a fifth-minute lead. Fleet-footed Portuguese midfielder Teixeira, making his first start on a season-long loan from Liverpool, confidently swept the ball past goalkeeper Marco Silvestri from a narrow angle after a swift move down the right caught Leeds' defence flat-footed.
And LuaLua completed the scoring with a free-kick six minutes from time to hand new Seagulls boss Sami Hyypia a much-needed boost.
It made happy viewing for Brighton fans watching the Football League's new initiative - a fibre-optic broadcast to the Amex Stadium.
Leeds received international clearance for Giuseppe Bellusci before the game but the Italian central defender from Catania had to be content with a watching brief on the bench.
Brighton handed deep-lying midfielder Danny Holla his first game since leaving Den Haag in early May and the Dutchman settled so comfortably into the role that Leeds struggled to create openings for strikers Billy Sharp and Matt Smith.
Teixeira's darting runs were a feature of Brighton's attacks and he almost set up a goal for former Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith, who had the ball taken smartly off his toes by Liam Cooper in the goalmouth.
Brighton dominated possession and Inigo Calderon should have doubled their advantage in the 39th minute when Adam Chicksen crossed invitingly to the far post where Calderon headed off target when it seemed easier to score.
Leeds failed to give David Stockdale a first-half shot to save, though the Leeds-born keeper caused a brief scare when his attempted clearance struck Rudi Austin who couldn't take advantage.
Elland Road head coach David Hockaday attempted to inject some pace by sending on Nicky Ajose at the start of the second half in place of the ineffective Smith.
Hockaday has often described his squad as 'a work in progress' and it certainly looked that way against the Seagulls who replaced the limping Kemy Agustien with LuaLua just before the hour mark.
Leeds saw more of the ball in the second half but when Austin was brought down just outside the box in the 64th minute, Michael Tonge shot into a well-organised wall.
Calderon made a smart clearance from Sharp after the striker had traded passes with Sam Byram but Brighton substitute Rohan Ince squandered a glorious chance by shooting against the left upright when clean through.
The second goal arrived on 84 minutes when Jason Pearce brought down Teixeira 18 yards out and LuaLua powered the low free-kick into the centre of the goal.
Teixeira was injured by Pearce's challenge and was later replaced by Aaron Hughes to deserved applause from Brighton fans.
