Coppola helps direct Brighton to win on debut
New Brighton and Hove Albion signing Diego Coppola made the perfect start to his Seagulls stay with a goal in a 3-1 pre-season friendly win over EFL Championship side Stoke City.
Brighton signed the 21-year-old Italian defender on a five-year deal from Serie A side Hellas Verona, and he popped up to score in the second half of his first outing for the club in Marbella, Spain.
The Seagulls went ahead in the match through Karou Mitoma, who saw an effort deflected into the back of the net.
Stoke equalised from the penalty spot through Lewi Baker, but it was Coppola that put Brighton back in front before Georginio Rutter scored a third in stoppage-time.
Brighton will start its Premier League campaign on 17 August when it hosts Fulham. Stoke, meanwhile, will start its Championship season a week earlier on 10 August when it hosts Derby County.
