The Seagulls graced the Premier League with their presence in 2017-18. Many believed it would be the last we saw of them, but they will return after a fair season.
Brighton Season Review
Brighton & Hove Albion played their first Premier League game against the eventual champions, Manchester City. A stellar 2-0 loss wasn’t the worst way to start off their EPL record book. The season was very back and forth for Brighton after their first ever EPL win was 3-1 at home against West Brom.
The Seagulls never lost more than three games all season and had two five-match unbeaten runs in the beginning and end of the campaign. The team was a favorite to be relegated, but they were only in the bottom three for one week out of the 38. What kept them up was their home record. Brighton only lost four times at the AmEx to secure a 15th-place finish and a spot in the EPL for 2018-19.
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Biggest Win: 1-0 vs. Man United (May 4th)
Brighton and Chris Hughton determined their fates after a memorable 1-0 win over Manchester United at the AmEx. The lone goal from breakout star Pascal Gross was enough to keep Brighton in the EPL and earn them a ninth win.
Beating Man United has become a common event in the EPL since Ferguson’s retirement. After this Seagull win, it was the first time United had lost to all three of the newly promoted teams in a season (Huddersfield, Newcastle, and Brighton).
Heaviest Defeat: 5-1 vs. Liverpool (December 2nd)
In two games against Liverpool, Brighton was outscored 9-1. Five of these goals came in a home match in early December. Oddly, Mo Salah did not score in this game, but Firmino scored twice in a loss that gave Brighton fans fear that relegation was possible. This match was the only one Brighton conceded five goals in.
Best Player: Jose Izquierdo
The Colombian winger came to Brighton after four seasons with Club Brugge. His speed and right-foot created some amazing moments and helped get points for his Seagulls all season long. His five goals were well behind the team’s leader Glenn Murray (14). Izquierdo’s season helped him get named in Colombia’s preliminary squad for the World Cup.
Mediocre Player: Davy Propper
Next: Bournemouth season review
Along with Izquierdo, Davy Propper was another young-player that Brighton signed before the first kick-off of the season. The former PSV star didn’t play poorly this season. He was though unable to score a single goal in his 35 appearances on the season. This was the 26-year old Dutchman’s first scoreless season since 2012-13. He will try again to be an EPL X-factor with Brighton next season.