Brighton & Hove Albion's remarkable start to the Premier League season has ignited talk of a genuine title challenge. The club sits third in the table with 16 points after seven games, having scored 15 goals and conceded none.
Former player Dion Dublin was asked this week if Brighton could be considered contenders. "Why not?" he replied.
The numbers support the optimism. Brighton have the most goals scored and the fewest conceded in the division. Their recent form shows five consecutive wins, including a dominant 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday. In that match, goals from Diego Gomez, Yasin Ayari, Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood, plus an own goal, showed the team's attacking depth. Young striker Kostoulas, 19, has been a revelation, contributing three goals and two assists already this season.
Only Barcelona, with 39 goals in nine La Liga matches, has scored more in a top-five European league this term. Brighton's recruitment, which saw them sign Kostoulas after losing top scorer Joao Pedro to Chelsea, continues to bear fruit. Eleven different players have scored league goals for the Seagulls.
Defensively, the team has been just as impressive, keeping five clean sheets in their four home league matches. New signing Luka Vuskovic has played a part in maintaining that solidity.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi will be aware that his team's 5-0 win over Palace extended their winning run and stays in the standings. They are now five points behind Manchester City but have a game in hand on some of the teams around them. Their goal difference of +18 is the best in the league.
Key test ahead
The immediate challenge is a demanding schedule. Brighton face four successive away games, starting with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on 25 October. Liverpool currently sit fifth, just three points behind Brighton. This is followed by a visit to the Etihad Stadium to face leaders Manchester City on Halloween. The run of away fixtures also includes matches against Brentford and Aston Villa.
He added that the team's focus remains on maintaining their high performance levels rather than the league position.
The next fixture at Liverpool represents a critical examination of their sustained form. The last meeting between the sides ended in a 2-1 home win for Brighton back in March. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently commented on Brighton's form, noting their "incredible organization" and "dangerous attacking play."
Despite the early success, De Zerbi and several players have attempted to downplay the title talk, emphasizing the long season ahead.
The report in full is at BBC Sport Football
