When Jack Hinshelwood unapologetically smashed home Brighton and Hove Albion's fifth goal of the game against bitter rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday, it completed a fourth straight Premier League win for the high-flying Seagulls - with an aggregate scoreline of 15-0. Hinshelwood's volley from two yards out to wrap up a 5-0 victory was in stark contrast to his team-mate Diego Gomez's audacious effort from the halfway line that put Brighton two up in just the seventh minute of the A23 derby. Fabian Hurzeler's free-scoring side have arguably been the most entertaining top-flight team to watch this season, but they have backed up their attacking flair with a robust defence.
No team has scored more and no team has conceded fewer goals. After seven games, they sit third on 16 points behind reigning champions Arsenal and table-toppers Manchester City, who have a 100% record. But can the Seagulls maintain their momentum and mount a serious title challenge?
That's the opinion of Match of the Day pundit Dion Dublin, who played in Manchester United's 1992-93 title-winning side. "Because what we've seen of them this season is just togetherness, harmony... the manager's making good decisions. "[Pascal] Gross is leading the line in regards to what goes on on the pitch and what is the right kind of way they want to play.
And everybody's chipping in with goals. The look a very, very frightening team at the moment." Shades of Barca and Beckham - Brighton aim to maintain superb start How Brighton attract and develop the best young players ahead of their rivals Timely recognition or long overdue? How Gross is proving all-time bargain In the summer of 2025, Brighton lost their top scorer Joao Pedro to Chelsea, and history repeated itself this year when the Blues lured veteran forward Danny Welbeck to Stamford Bridge.
Once again, however, the Seagulls' enviable data-led recruitment model, aided by club owner Tony Bloom's close links to Jamestown Analytics, appears to have found a promising replacement. Having been used primarily as a substitute last season, Greece striker Charalampos Kostoulas has been entrusted to spearhead the attack, and the 19-year-old has repaid the faith shown in him by Hurzeler with three league goals and two assists. Only Lamine Yamal has more goal involvements among teenagers in Europe's top five leagues this season.
Kostoulas has a strong supporting cast including Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari, Malick Yalcouye and Maxim de Cuyper, not to mention a rejuvenated Pascal Gross pulling the strings from a deeper position. With 11 league scorers already - while also being the beneficiaries of three own goals - Hurzeler's men are sharing the load impressively. As well as being the division's top scorers, Brighton have had the most shots on target and sit second for xG, shots and big chances.
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