Joao strikes twice as Brighton win thriller
Liverpool loanee Joao Carlos Teixeira scored two goals on Saturday afternoon to help inspire Brighton & Hove Albion to a 4-3 victory over Birmingham City in their Championship clash at the Amex Stadium.
The Portuguese midfielder, who joined the Seagulls at the start of the current campaign on a temporary switch, helped Chris Hughton's side clinch their first victory in six matches as he chipped in with a brace.
Inigo Calderon grabbed the other two goals as Brighton climbed above Rotherham United into 20th place in the standings, and in doing so, placed a three-point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone.
Teixeira struck the first goal of what would develop into a frenetic game of football when he cut in from the left and fired a low, right-footed shot under the body of Birmingham goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
Clayton Donaldson equalised for the visitors soon after and, just prior to the interval, Birmingham spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Paul Caddis saw his penalty saved by Robbie Stockdale.
Calderon made the visitors pay for their miss within five minutes of the restart as he restored Brighton's lead, before Teixeira struck again, this time from close range, to make it 3-1.
Wesley Thomas pulled one back for Birmingham; however, Calderon's second intervention rendered Lee Novak's late strike a mere consolation goal and confirmed a precious three points for Teixeira and co.
Elsewhere, Reds Academy starlet Sheyi Ojo, who joined Wigan Athletic on loan at the start of this month, was voted his side's Man of the Match as the Latics were defeated 3-0 by Charlton Athletic on Friday night.
Ojo has made four appearances for the club so far, including an impressive debut against AFC Bournemouth, and he provided the crucial assist during his side's 1-0 win over Reading on Tuesday.