0-0 dear! Albion and Norwich in bargain basement Premier League clash

Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Norwich City 0

In an all-too-predictable encounter, Albion had 31 shots and crucially missed a first-half penalty after Sam Byram handled but Neal Maupay, who did not have to wait for a VAR check, blasted over.

The old adage that Albion couldn’t score if they played all day does ring true if it’s a normal working day, as they haven’t now scored a goal at home since Tuesday 18 January – or five matches – equalling seven and a half hours.

Albion had a host a chances in the first half. These fell not only fell to Maupay, but Alexis Mac Allister saw efforts charged down and Joel Veltman hit at least row S with an effort from outside the area.

Tariq Lamptey at least forced a save from former Seagulls keeper Tim Krul.

One passage of play appeared to involve every Albion player. The end result? Mac Alliister then Danny Welbeck miscuing in the six-yard box.

Teemu Pukki and Kenny McLean, Norwich’s front two, were occasionally causing Albion problems. Robert Sanchez mis-controlling a back pass was his hopefully his “one mistake” a game out of the way.

Welbeck gets in clever positions and screams for the ball. By the time he gets it, and has been closed down, he is probably screaming for his agent. Albion’s approach play is so slow. Too slow. Intricate, yes, but you have to ask why so very intricate?

Dean Smith will have undoubtedly told his Norwich players that Albion were in freefall but Norwich couldn’t take advantage of Albion’s inability to score.

It’s all so predictable. Lamptey, Solly March or Mac Allister, after a period of time, will supply a cross for Welbeck or Maupay but not until the players involved in the approach play have had the requisite amount of touches. Graham Potter applauds this possession play enthusiastically. What does he do if Albion stick it in the net? No one can remember.

The second half was delayed as referee Simon Hooper had audio problems. This was the ref kicked by Ashley Barnes at Bolton in 2012.

Albion continued to have chances. Krul produced a great save from a Veltman header. Trossard and March had good chances. But all were off target.

Krul made another good stop from Mac Allister as Norwich threw bodies at the ball in a congested penalty area.

Maupay had another great chance from a tight angle but sidefooted into the side netting. A few fans in the West Stand thought that he’d scored until the ball boy picked the ball up.

As Albion continued to dominate, Lewis Dunk had a good chance from a corner with a towering header but his effort was wide.

Norwich then had the chance of the afternoon as Pukki got behind Cucurella and found Milot Rashica who, from ten yards and unmarked, blasted over.

Jakub Moder came on for Albion and beat Adam Lallana’s recent record of a substitute being substituted in less than seven minutes.

In the dark days of the 1990s – 25 years ago in fact – Radio Five Live reporters jokingly referred to the Seagulls as “Brighton & Hove Albion Nil” as if it were the club’s name! For all the possession and efforts on goal and the slow intricate build up play, one thing seems constant.

Albion look unlikely to be relegated from the Premier League this season. Norwich, Watford, Burnley and maybe Everton are just too poor and none of these teams have much hope of achieving 35 points. We hope.

Albion go to Arsenal next week then are away to Spurs before a midweek away trip to Manchester City. Then they are due to take on Southampton at home, which must be the Seagulls last chance for three points this season before games against Wolves, Manchester United, Leeds and West Ham come thick and fast.

Many will think Albion v Norwich is a cert to be last on Match of the Day. They might be lucky if it’s screened before the end credits!

The football may be pretty at times but the entertainment value is virtually non-existent. One supporter ejected from the North Stand by stewards was described as a lucky so and so for being able to leave early.

The razzmatazz and highly regarded reputation of the Premier League didn’t really apply to this match.

It’s like the Mike Bailey era all over again – a record high finish (maybe) but oh so very very dull.