Brighton & Hove Albion extended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season but dropped their first home points in a goalless draw against a resilient Ipswich Town. Despite dominating the game, Brighton were unable to convert their control into goals, leaving them in third place with eight points from four matches.
Newly promoted Ipswich earned their second point of the season, largely thanks to goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, who made a series of crucial saves. Muric’s efforts, combined with determined defending, helped Ipswich secure a valuable draw, following their previous point earned at home against Fulham before the international break. Brighton will see this as a missed opportunity, given their dominance in the match.
The last time Brighton faced Ipswich in the top flight, back in August 1982, Survivor’s hit “Eye of the Tiger” topped the charts. Fast forward over 40 years, and Ipswich once again survived a Brighton onslaught, thanks largely to an impressive performance from goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
Muric, who had endured a difficult week after being sent home early from international duty with Kosovo for breaching team rules, delivered a standout display. His six crucial saves not only secured Ipswich’s first clean sheet of the season but also earned the newly promoted side a valuable point.
Brighton dominated from the outset, with Muric denying Carlos Baleba’s volley early on and Kaoru Mitoma failing to capitalize on a slick passing move. The defining moment came ten minutes before halftime when Muric made an instinctive double-save, stopping efforts from Georginio Rutter and Mitoma in quick succession, preventing what seemed like a certain goal.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna’s decision to stand by Muric proved wise, as he hailed the young goalkeeper’s performance, noting how important it is to have a shot-stopper capable of winning points in the Premier League.
In the second half, Brighton continued to press, with Danny Welbeck curling a free-kick narrowly wide. Despite their dominance, Brighton couldn’t find a way past Muric and Ipswich’s determined defense, leaving McKenna delighted to escape with a hard-earned point.
