The 32–year-old defender has been an integral part of the Seagulls defence which has chalked up 16 clean sheets in the league this season – a vital element in driving the team to a play-off place, confirmed with victory over Leeds this weekend in which Bridge did not feature.
French utility man Jeremy Helan continued in a starting berth this weekend for Sheffield Wednesday as they continue to battle against relegation.
Despite his manager admitting that the youngster was struggling for fitness, he completed 67 minutes as the Owls went down 1-0 to Peterborough.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Karim Rekik continues to watch Blackburn Rovers from the bench.
The Ewood Park outfit all but guaranteed their Championship status next term with a 1-1 draw at home to Alex Nimely’s Crystal Palace on Saturday, but Rekik was an unused sub once more.
Nimely hasn’t featured for the Palace first team since January, with his season being interrupted by a hamstring injury.
Young Norwegian Eirik Holmen Johansen has returned to City after his loan to Scunthorpe came to an end.
The keeper was not involved in the Iron’s final game of the season, which saw them relegated despite firing three past Swindon to clinch victory on the day.
Eirik turned out for Scunthorpe eight times during his loan deal after being brought in to cover the injury of Sam Slocombe.
League experience is sure to benefit City’s young prospect as he strives to make his mark at the Etihad Stadium.
Manager Brian Laws told the Scunthorpe Telegraph midway through Eirik’s stay with the Iron: “In the games he’s played, I’ve got to say, he’s probably not had a lot to do, which seems a bit bizarre.
“The goals he’s conceded he couldn’t do anything about.
“However today, he’s pulled off a couple of match-winning saves – one in the first half when the player got through and another at the end.
“That will give him massive confidence and the players were patting him on the back at the end of the game.
“The fact he’s made some match-winning saves tells us he could be of great help to us in the forthcoming games.”
Adam Drury completed 90 minutes as Burton Albion beat champions Gillingham 3-2 on the final day of the League Two campaign.
Burton have booked themselves a play-off spot in their best ever season in the division, and manager Gary Rowett spoke of Adam’s chances of being involved in those crucial fixtures.
“Both wingers (Phillips and Adam Drury) were excellent and that’s important because, if we get to the play-off final, we know Alex MacDonald can’t play, so Adam and Jimmy are vying for a place if we get that far,” he told the Derby Telegraph.
“They’ve played themselves into contention.”
In the same division, Alex Henshall came on for the last 15 minutes as Chesterfield smacked Exeter City 4-0.
North of the border, Northern Ireland international Ryan McGivern was given another 90 minutes for Hibernian in a thrilling 3-3 draw against St Mirren. The Edinburgh-based side currently lie 7th in the Scottish Premier League and have a cup final to look forward to.
On the continent, Omar Elabdellaoui was celebrating this week as Eintracht Braunschweig sealed their promotion to the Bundesliga with four games to spare.
The Norwegian played the full 90 minutes as his side clinched a late 1-0 victory away at Ingolstadt to confirm their place in Germany’s top division next season for the first time in 28 years.
Cant describe my feelings right now!! I’m so happy and so thankful to be apart of such a great team! Thank you everyone for ur support!!
— Omar Elabdellaoui (@OmarEla14) April 26, 2013
As Malaga attempt a late bid for a Champions League spot, Roque Santa Cruz scored the opener in their 2-1 victory over Getafe. The Paraguayan is reported to have opened talks with the La Liga outfit about a permanent switch.
Abdi Ibrahim played 90 minutes as Stromsgodset beat Molde 2-1. His side are currently second in Norway’s Eliteserien.
Ghanaian Mohammed Abu remains absent for Ligue 1 side Lorient after suffering an injury against Bastia two weeks ago, while Luca Scapuzzi was an unused sub in Varese’s 2-0 victory over Cittadella.
