There are certain sides that teams must look forward to playing with the enthusiasm of a vegetarian that has been invited to an all you can eat, meat-only buffet.

Before last week, Leeds could have hardly relished a game against the Rams and now arguably, we may now have become Brighton’s bogey side. Following up the four wins against the Seagulls last season, an emphatic first twenty minutes effectively killed this contest as we easily retained top spot.

It was no surprise to see Bryson back to start in the midfield, with Dawkins also in from the start. The skipper though had not responded so well from the disease he had picked up in Yorkshire, so it was a welcome return for Bucko, who was awarded the captains armband to boot.

I had mentioned during the obligatory pre-match refreshments that we would either see a reaction from last week, or the visitors would make the game disjointed, a-la Millwall. Thankfully, it was the former.

From the first whistle, we were on it. Pressing high, forcing mistakes and playing like a side eager to erase the memory of Elland Road. It was immediately noticeable that Martin could have a lot of joy, finding pockets of space at will. It was he who forced the first save, receiving a pass, afforded time to turn and strike weakly left-footed.

Chris didn’t have long to wait though. After releasing details of the next Coldplay album this week, the big man celebrated with the opener.

Russell ran at his man on the right, before poking to Hendrick on the left-hand side of the box. His pass found Martin in the box and with Bryson on his outside; he instead cut in on his left. Brighton had brought some early festive kindness, allowing Martin to take his time, pick his spot and find the bottom corner.

More was to come in what was a dominant opening.

After Lee Grant finally had a touch of the ball, in the 13th minute, we scored the sort of goal Barcelona would be proud of. Good work from Bryson and Forsyth down the left saw the latter find Martin. His poked ball found Dawkins, who touched off first time back to Forsyth. His first time ball was probably meant for Bryson, but nevertheless was perfect for Russell, who collected and then tucked away, aided by a small deflection which bamboozled Stockdale in goal.

Two up and seemingly coasting - when out of nothing, a long ball down the middle of the defence saw Bent out-jump Shotton to seemingly reduce the deficit, that was before the linesman cut the celebrations short. Soon though, normal service was resumed.

If our second goal was what we have come to expect from Der-celona, then our next was anything but. Christie was afforded yet more space on the right and instead of his normal marauding run at the full-back, he instead opted for the early cross. There was only ever going to be one winner, Martin attacking superbly to crash in his second of the game.

That took his tally to seven in five games against the Seagulls, who must wish they could dump their mess on the big man!

Curiously, that seemed to be our cue to switch off. I didn’t see the sides swap shirts but for the majority of what was left of the half, the visitors finally started playing. Our midfield, which had been totally dominant, popped off to do some early Christmas shopping as Brighton rallied through the introduction of the huge Rowan Ince.

Crucially though, there was little in the way of work for Lee Grant to do, apart from produce a couple of good punches from dead-balls.

Bruno showed the finish of a full-back at the far stick, his volleyed effort going out for a throw in. Christie was booked for a lunge perilously close to the penalty area as most of Brighton’s key play came down the left. Thankfully though, after Martin had seen his cross across the box come to nought, half-time came and Macca was sent to retrieve his shoppers.

A reminder that football is a ninety-minute game later, and we were back out.

Shotton, not for the first time in the game, was slack with his passing, allowing March to drag wide. Soon though, we were back in the groove. A slick move saw Hendrick lay back to Bryson, whose drive really should have been dealt with better by Stockdale. Instead, he shovelled the ball aside like he was clearing his driveway of snow as the ball squirmed onto the post and away.

Bryson had a much better chance soon after. Hendrick, having been denied by Stockdale just before this move, played a great ball into the path of the Scot in the box. You would have put your house on him wrapping the early present up…, which would have left you homeless this festive season, as Craig screwed it horribly wide.

No bother though as there were soon smiles all around again as Jamie Ward was introduced back into the fold.

Brighton’s threat had now all but evaporated, as one of the best atmospheres of the season played out in the home end. Between songs, the Rams were doing their best to get Martin his hat-trick. First, Christie dropped a great ball over the top that he just couldn’t bring under his spell, before an even better chance was created.

Forsyth and Bryson, still sporting his, shall we say.. ‘different’ goatee beard, combined to set Martin away in the box. Sadly, he couldn’t dump more misery onto the visitors, his weak drive easy for the shovelling Stockdale.

Another substitute was then introduced in the shape of Jordan Ibe, just the kind of guy you want to see coming on if you are a defender with tired legs.

Jordan almost provided a late cherry on top of the mince pie as he cut in from the left. The youngsters’ effort looked to be goal bound, before another good stop from the visiting goalkeeper.

No matter, three was more than enough to cement our position at the top of the table. There was even time for Leon Best to come on for 90 seconds without any damage being done!

An emphatic response to the poor display last weekend.

The visitors certainly showed why they are at the foot of the table, the opening salvo hopefully allowing us to conserve some vital energy, ahead of what will be a crucial run of games.

Next weekend at the Riverside will arguably be the toughest test of our credentials.

Let’s tie Mr. Bamford up and stay top of the tree for Christmas!

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Lee Grant — 7: Not a lot to do but what he did, he did well.

Cyrus Christie — 7: Good assist for the third goal. He will score soon!

Jake Buxton — 7: Solid on his return and delighted to see him take the skippers armband.

Ryan Shotton — 6: Did well but gave the ball away far too many times.

Craig Forsyth — 8: Very good display. Didn’t lose a header.

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