Sam Allardyce: Luck was on West Brom's side

In a hugely eventful clash at The Hawthorns, the Baggies opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Kyle Bartley nodded in a corner.

Brighton though went on to miss two penalties - with Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck both hitting the woodwork from 12-yards.

In a truly bizarre incident, they also had a quick free-kick disallowed by referee Lee Mason, before the official then gave the goal only to disallow it again.

Prior to Brighton’s visit, Albion had put in impressive performances against both Manchester United and Burnley only to be held to a draw both times.

But while they weren’t as impressive against Graham Potters side Allardyce was still delighted with the result.

“We had huge slice of luck in our favour I’m glad to say,” the boss said when asked to assess the game.

“You always need a little bit of luck if you are going to succeed in life and it has come at the right time for us with Brighton missing two penalties.

“I didn’t think one was a penalty but certainly the other was.

We scored a really good goal from a corner which gave us something to hang on to.

“It was an even game in the first-half but second-half we were under the cosh. But we managed to see it out and keep a clean sheet.

“There was a little bit of luck but we’ll take everything we can get at the moment.

“We should have beaten Manchester United and Burnley but only got a point from each game.

“We haven’t played as well today as we have in recent weeks but we’ve got three points, it’s back to the old adage says - you take three points when you can get them. Take them and move on.”

Mason’s decision to disallow, allow and then disallow again Brighton’s free-kick goal proved to be the game’s biggest talking point.

But Allardyce felt, in the end, the officials came to the correct decision.

“He (Mason) explained to us at the time why he’d done what he did,” Allardyce continued.

“He blew the whistle and blew it again before the ball had gone into the net. VAR sorted it out.

“I’m pleased to say VAR got that right.

“I didn’t know quick free-kicks were allowed anymore because haven’t seen one in over two years or three years. I’m glad it wasn’t allowed and we got a 1-0 victory.”

Speaking after the game, Dunk described the decision to disallow the goal as “embarrassing and horrendous.”

But while Allardyce understood why he was angry - the boss was also disappointed Okay Yokuslu was judged to have handled the ball for Brighton’s first penalty.

“If I were him (Dunk) I’d be disappointed, but I’m disappointed in the first penalty.” Allardyce added.

“We have to show our disagreement, and disapproval if we’re bitterly disappointed with a decision.

“If we don’t none of us will get better at what we did, that’s referees, assistants, managers, players. You have to show your disapproval.”