MATCH REPORT: WEST BROM 1-0 BRIGHTON

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Referee Lee Mason was at the centre of controversy as West Brom earned a vital 1-0 win at home to Brighton.

The Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk scored a free kick late on in the first half which was disallowed by Mason after he blew his whistle for the centre-back to take the shot only to blow it again as it travelled into the back of the net.

The confusion continued as the 49-year-old proceeded to give the goal before VAR ruled that the goal could not stand and ordered the free-kick to be retaken.

Dunk called it “embarrassing” and said he wished Mason himself would speak about it.

“I know what he said,” recalled Dunk, “I asked, ‘Can I take the free kick?’, he said ‘yes’ and I scored.”

His opposite number, match-winner Kyle Bartley, had a different view: “He told us he blew his whistle to speak to someone in the wall. I think he came to the right decision in the end.”

Brighton also missed two penalties as both Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck’s spot-kicks hit the woodwork after Bartley had scored the only goal of the game on 11 minutes.

The win for Sam Allardyce’s side is only their third of the season and leaves them nine points off Newcastle United in 17^th place.

Bartley fired them into the lead as he headed home Conor Gallagher’s corner for the 29-year-old’s third of the season.

Brighton received a lifeline from their own corner after Dan Burn’s header was judged to have hit Okay Yokuslu’s hand but Gross wasted the opportunity as his penalty smashed against the bar.

Their control of proceedings continued into the second half with Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly both wasting golden opportunities from close range before winning another penalty which was struck against the base of the left post by Danny Welbeck.

It was a hugely frustrating day for the Seagulls who are still not clear of danger themselves.