You cannot keep Steve Mounie out of the action when Albion play Huddersfield.

The Benin striker scored home and away against the Seagulls last season and was sent off in December.

This time his foul on Jose Izquierdo and subsequent encroachment at the free-kick played a big part in the only goal as Albion beat the Terriers.

Mounie’s attempted delaying tactic only succeeded in touching Bernardo’s free-kick on to Izquierdo and, mercifully, Mike Dean allowed play to go on rather than calling it back.

All that activity meant Anthony Knockaert, who received the ball from Izquierdo, did not even realise the goal came from a free-kick.

But he knew exactly what he was doing when he chipped over an inch perfect cross for Florin Andone to do what he did at the John Smith’s Stadium and head Huddersfield to defeat.

Knockaert gave a quizzical look when asked about the quickly taken set-piece and asked: “Free-kick?”

But when reminded how the goal originated and about Albion’s desire to get on with things, he said: “The more you see the time going on, the more we wanted to score.

“It came at the perfect time. We had great desire in the last 25 minutes to score a goal.

“We were pushing and pushing and I think the goal came at the perfect time.

“I think we deserved it but it wasn’t easy because there were a lot of players in their half.

“It is always about finding a way to score and we did it.”

Knockaert had been glancing up at the big screen above the North Stand as the second half wore on.

He said: “You look at the clock, of course, because you want to score and you push for it.”

Knockaert did not get an assist for his pass which deflected to Davy Propper when he scored at Leicester last Tuesday.

But he is up to six assists for the season and has been pleased with how things have gone since being restored to the Premier League starting XI.

He said: “I think I played really well against Leicester.

“I could have scored but (Kasper) Schmeichel made a good save.

“I feel good and it is really good to be back in the team and I will give my best.”

As it is, Knockaert can claim a part in his team’s last two league goals at the Amex.

One was for Shane Duffy against Burnley, the next might also have been.

The Irishman’s header from the Frenchman’s corner was cleared off the line but the danger never really abated.

Huddersfield’s resulting clearance led to the free-kick, the Dean advantage (he DIDN’T celebrate!) and the goal by Andone.

Knockaert said: “He brought pace and that is what he does.

“He was in the right place at the perfect time to score the goal.

“I am pleased for him because he is a hard worker and it was important for us to score.”