The last time Brighton hosted Ipswich in the top flight back in January 1983 Survivor’s smash hit Eye of the Tiger sat number one in the charts.
More than four decades on, the hit has retained its spot in the party playlist. And after an afternoon of domination for the hosts, the American rockers’ name was a rather apt way to describe the outcome from an Ipswich perspective.
A combination of Brighton’s wastefulness in front of goal and an inspired performance from Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric kept this clash on the coast locked goalless.
An exceptional performance marked a positive end to a difficult week for Muric, who was put on the naughty step and sent home early from international duty by Kosovo for breaking team rules.
Kieran McKenna considered the matter to be closed and was proven wise to stick by his goalkeeper, who endured a difficult campaign last season after finding himself demoted to the bench at Burnley.
Brighton and Ipswich battled hardily but neither was able to get the upper hand on Saturday
Both sides had chances but the visitors did well dealing with the considerably more potent threat from their hosts
Minutes in Muric was alert to push away Carlos Baleba’s crisp volley and that turned out to be a sign of things to come as Brighton’s football became slicker with every first-half minute that passed.
Kaoru Mitoma was unable to apply the finishing touch to an intricate passing move which culminated in Danny Welbeck’s first-time flick finding the Japanese winger storming into the box.
Then came Muric’s stand-out moment, 10 minutes from half time. A terrific and instinctive double save to deny Georginio Rutter, making his first start for Fabian Hurzeler’s side after his £40million move from Leeds in the summer, and Kaoru Mitoma in quick succession when a goal looked inevitable.
Ipswich continued to ride their luck when the second half resumed. Rutter was only denied from the edge of the area by a double deflection before Welbeck, leading the line in the absence of Joao Pedro, who picked up a knock while away with Brazil, curled a free-kick inches wide.
After a wave of Brighton attacks, a response finally came from the visitors. Liam Delap led the counter-attack from his own half, turning on the after-burners to surge away from Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke before smashing the post with his shot.
That warning shot sparked some life from Ipswich but in a breakaway similar to Delap’s, Omari Hutchinson could only shoot straight at Bart Verbruggen.
The hosts continued to dominate the ball and ended with 70 per cent possession but no goal to show for their efforts, thanks in no small part to the magnificent Muric.
