Leeds United 0 Brighton 2

BRIGHTON grabbed their first win of the season as goals by Joao Teixeira and substitute Kazenga LuaLua earned a 2-0 triumph and punished Leeds for a dismal performance at Elland Road, tonight.

Brighton, without a goal or a point from their opening two Sky Bet Championship matches, shocked the home crowd by racing into a fifth-minute lead.

The Portuguese midfielder Teixeira, making his first start on a season-long loan from Liverpool, confidently swept the ball past goalkeeper Marco Silvestri from a narrow angle after a swift move down the right caught Leeds’ defence flat-footed.

And LuaLua completed the scoring with a free-kick six minutes from time to hand new Seagulls boss Sami Hyypia a boost.

Leeds received international clearance for Giuseppe Bellusci before the game but the Italian central defender from Catania had to watch from the bench.

Brighton handed deep-lying midfielder Danny Holla his first game since leaving Den Haag in early May and the Dutchman settled so comfortably into the role that Leeds struggled to create openings for strikers Billy Sharp and Matt Smith.

Teixeira’s darting runs were a feature of Brighton’s attacks and he almost set up a goal for former Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith.

Leeds failed to give David Stockdale a first-half shot to save, though the Leeds-born keeper caused a brief scare when his attempted clearance struck Rudi Austin who couldn’t take advantage.

Elland Road head coach David Hockaday attempted to inject some pace by sending on Nicky Ajose for the second half in place of the ineffective Smith.

Leeds saw more of the ball in the second half but when Austin was brought down just outside the box in the 64th minute, Michael Tonge shot into the wall.

Calderon made a smart clearance from Sharp after the striker had traded passes with Sam Byram but Brighton substitute Rohan Ince squandered a glorious chance by shooting against a post.

The second goal arrived after 84 minutes when Jason Pearce brought down Teixeira 18 yards out and LuaLua powered free-kick into the net.