Brighton too good for Colchester
Brighton eased into the second round of the EFL Cup with a super-charged second-half performance giving them a comfortable 4-0 victory over League Two Colchester.
Jamie Murphy scored twice for the Seagulls and Sam Baldock and Elvis Manu hit the other goals to make it a straightforward exercise for the much changed hosts.
All of Brighton`s four goals came in the final 26 minutes of the tie.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton made 11 changes from the side that played in last Saturday`s 0-0 Championship opener at Derby.
The Seagulls were quickly into their stride and Manu, leading the attack with Baldock, had an early shot blocked before winger Kazenga LuaLua drove into the side netting.
Keeper Dillon Barnes, one of seven Colchester changes and called up for his debut, was called into action when he claimed a header by Baldock.
Colchester threatened for the first time when Brennan Dickenson went on a storming run down the left, but Rohan Ince was well positioned to clear the danger.
Sammie Szmodics should have hit the target for the U`s on the half hour when he headed a Dickenson cross wide.
Brighton midfielder Oliver Norwood, signed recently from Reading and drafted in for his debut, went close shortly before the interval by firing narrowly wide of Barnes` left-hand post.
Baldock shot over for Albion three minutes after the break when a goal-bound shot from Murphy was parried by keeper Barnes.
Brighton broke the deadlock on 64 minutes when Baldock fired into the roof of the net after LuaLua brilliantly controlled a 50-yard pass from Ince to supply the opening.
Murphy doubled the advantage seven minutes later with a cool finish, LuaLua storming through the middle to pass the ball between the two centre-backs.
Striker Manu got in on the act to make it 3-0 in the 74th minute, holding his run to tuck the ball home from the centre of the goal following a pass by Baldock.
Murphy showed great composure to steer home Albion`s fourth four minutes from time.
Source : PA
Source: PA