Pascal Gross sinks Leeds as Brighton’s fine start to the season continues

Brighton stretched their unbeaten Premier League streak to a club-record nine games after Pascal Gross’ second-half strike earned a deserved 1-0 win over Leeds.

Albion squandered a host of chances at the Amex Stadium before Gross coolly claimed his third goal of the season in the 66th minute.

Leeds were second best for much of a frustrating afternoon in which manager Jesse Marsch was shown a second-half yellow card following persistent petulant touchline behaviour.

The American, who was animated all afternoon, slammed the ball into the turf after his side were awarded a free-kick and then sarcastically applauded referee Michael Salisbury.

Substitute Luis Sinisterra wasted a golden chance for the visitors by diverting wide of an unguarded goal prior to the Seagulls’ winner, before Diego Llorente headed narrowly off target late on as their unbeaten start came to an end.

Brighton handed a full debut to Ecuador left-back Pervis Estupinan in place of the injured Adam Lallana, while Leeds boss Marsch stuck with the team which began last weekend’s thumping 3-0 win over Chelsea.

Marsch was extremely energetic for most of the afternoon, regularly leaving his technical area and, at times, angrily berating the officials, prompting a ticking off from fourth official James Linington and complaints from the home bench.

He was particularly vexed by a string of free-kicks awarded against his team, one of which should have led to a 16th-minute opener for Albion.

Gross delivered a delightful set-piece from wide on the right but unmarked centre-back Adam Webster somehow headed wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

Marsch’s bizarre conduct continued to be a significant source of entertainment, perhaps as an attempt to distract from