Early Tomer Hemed goal gives Brighton & Hove Albion win over Hull City

An early Tomer Hemed goal has given Championship leaders Brighton & Hove Albion a 1-0 win over Hull City this afternoon.

The hosts wasted no time in asserting their dominance over Hull, as Hemed scored his fourth goal of the season after just five minutes with a finish from close range.

Beram Kayal came close to doubling Brighton's lead a few moments later with an effort from the edge of the penalty area, but the Israel international fired just wide of the Hull goal.

Chuba Akpom missed a couple of chances to equalise for Hull before the break, first with a free kick from the edge of the area that curled over the bar, before the striker found the side-netting after picking up a good pass from Tom Huddlestone.

After the break, Brighton almost scored their second of the afternoon, as Kazenga LuaLua fired a powerful shot, but his effort was deflected away for a corner.

Sam Clucas came close to equalising for Hull soon after, but the 24-year-old's effort at the back post flew over the bar.

Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale was forced into three good saves to protect his clean sheet after 70 minutes - first stopping Ahmed Elmohamady's shot from a tight angle, before he produced a superb double save to deny a long-range strike from Mohamed Diame and Abel Hernandez's follow-up attempt.

Kayal almost wrapped up the victory for Brighton before the final whistle, but his powerful effort was blocked.