This was an object lesson in how to kill a game. Brighton had struggled to make much headway against Ipswich for almost an hour when Kaoru Mitoma’s shot squeezed in and, from there, they simply did not let go. Rather than sit back they pressed forward relentlessly; the consequence was a first league victory in nine and perhaps a platform to transform the picture of an often frustrating campaign.
When Georginio Rutter cleverly turned in their second goal eight minutes from time, Brighton could enjoy winning a top-flight match by two or more for the first time since the opening day. Rutter was one of three substitutes introduced by Fabian Hürzeler almost as soon as they went ahead; their power and energy from the bench meant Ipswich simply could not get out after that, a hitherto respectable performance dissolving into the night and the buoyancy of a promising Christmas period turning to lead.
