It's taken a while, but Brighton seem to be learning how to manage games in the Premier League.
Brighton soaked up pressure in the first half and perhaps even looked a bit ponderous going forward as Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma remained on the fringes. Ipswich were more adventurous and Bart Verbruggen had to be sharp to keep out three low long-range efforts from Nathan Broadhead, Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson.
Joel Veltman's "game management" was at it's peak to see Delap booked and Pedro was a touch fortunate to only see yellow after clattering into former Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Brighton's moment arrived on 59 minutes as Yasin Ayari's clever ball into the box found Matt O'Riley and the former Celtic man teed-up Mitoma to side-foot a low effort through the grasp of Walton - perhaps still groggy from Pedro's flying challenge.
Walton then saved well to keep out Pedro's shot on the turn but Georginio Rutter, on as a second half substitute for O’Riley, skilfully toe-poked home a second after a scruffy free-kick into the box. His strike was eventually confirmed after a long VAR check. It was Rutter’s third in two matches following his brace in the 4-0 FA Cup win at Norwich last Saturday. The Seagulls have enjoyed their recent trips to East Anglia and they managed the remaining minutes at Portman Road for their first Premier League win in eight.
Here’s how they rated...

1.
Joel Veltman of Brighton & Hove Albion battles for possession with Liam Delap of Ipswich Town Photo: Justin Setterfield

2. Bart Verbruggen - 7
Excellent low save to deny Nathan Broadhead on 24 minutes and then another to keep out Delap's curling effort moments later. Also thwarted Hutchinson from distance. Sound keeping from the Netherlands international Photo: Justin Setterfield

3. Joel Veltman - 9
Peak Veltman this evening. Veltman at times doubled up with Van Hecke on Delap and produced a couple of crunching tackles on the Town dangerman. Delap was booked for shoving Veltman over in the second half. Veltman’s 'game management' was on point. A huge cheer from the home crowd when he saw a late yellow for more “management”. He thoroughly enjoyed himself! Photo: Mike Hewitt

4. Jan Paul Van Hecke - 7
Did the bulk of the physical work against Delap and stood up very well to test. Played a huge part in keeping a clean sheet. Photo: Justin Setterfield
