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‘The red card was deserved’ – Brighton’s Yves Bissouma on Steve Mounie’s expulsion

Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma has defended referee Michael Oliver's decision to show Huddersfield Town striker Steve Mounie a straight red card in Saturday's Premier League match.

Mounie caught the leg of Bissouma with his studs and was sent off - his first red card in the English Premier League - as the Seagulls fought back from a goal deficit to a 2-1 victory.

“What happened? Well, just as you saw. There was a foul,” Bissouma told The Argus.

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“The bloke came in and the ref was right there, he saw it. I think for me, it’s red. The red card was deserved.”

Following his return from treatment, the Mali midfielder was welcomed onto the pitch with boos from the home fans.

It continued whenever he touched the ball but the 22-year-old stated that the reactions did not affect his performance to help Chris Hughton's side secure a fifth league win of the season.

“That’s normal. I’d have done the same thing in their place. I’ve got nothing against their supporters. They did their job for the team,” he added.

“The essential is we came here and achieved what we wanted to. It doesn’t affect me. I went about my business quietly and played my match.

“I don’t think about whether they are booing or not.”

However, Shane Duffy has praised the summer signing from Lille for his response to the unpleasant reception at the John Smith's Stadium.

“I thought he was brilliant. The crowd got to him and I think he took confidence from it. They don’t boo a bad player. He is a very good player and he’s only young,” Duffy said.

“He’s a huge plus for us, especially when Dale (Stephens) is out. There is good competition in there.”

Bissouma and his teammates will aim to build on the result when they travel to Selhurst Park for Tuesday’s Premier League outing against Crystal Palace.

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