The Seagulls Are Soaring: Are Brighton in a Title Race?

Seven wins, one draw, and two losses. The team in second currently sit on 22 points, five points off the top of the table. Furthermore, they have beaten Arsenal and Manchester City already this season – as well as dispatching their rivals 5-0.

You’d be forgiven for thinking this mystery team are one of the traditional “big six.” Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea… maybe not Spurs though.

Yet the team who sits in second were playing at an athletics track in League One, 15 years ago. It is the soaring seagulls, Brighton and Hove Albion. Now, with their incredible start to the season showing no signs of stopping… are Brighton potentially title contenders?

Roughly a month ago, I wrote an article exploring what Brighton could achieve this season. I said that Albion were capable of Champions League football through the top five of the Premier League. Now, that prediction seems pessimistic with what Brighton have achieved over the past 30 days.

Albion were able to grind out a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Sunderland, even after a Pascal Struijk red card. Five days later, Albion were able to break down Lithuanian Kauno Zalgris, beating them 4-0 without breaking a sweat.

Then, a remarkable 5-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace stunned both sets of fans at the AMEX, shortly before the toughest test of resilience the team have faced so far this season.

Five away games in a row surely signalled the end of our incredible momentum – especially after a draw at Jablonec and losses to Liverpool and City. Yet, less than 72 hours after being heartbroken on the Etihad pitch, the Seagulls were celebrating their first league win away at City.

Another gritty, hard-fought win followed, with Brighton edging past Getafe. Then, at the weekend, the Albion prevailed against Brentford thanks to another Diego Gomez screamer.

Going into the break, it’s clear to see that Brighton haven’t fluked their way to the top. The squad is the first reason – two or three quality players in each position brews healthy competition and thus, results.

For example, Diego Gomez has been keeping the returning Yankuba Minteh out of the team thanks to a string of phenomenal performances. There are similar stories all over the pitch – Boscagli and Hadjam at left back, Kadioglu and Costinha at right back just to name two.

You also don’t need to look far to see the Albion are statistically one of the best in the league. Brighton score 2.6 goals per match and only concede 0.7, contributing to the seven clean sheets Bart Verbruggen has kept in the league.

If the Albion can keep the momentum going through the festive period, then why can’t they be considered title challengers? I keep telling myself to enjoy these wins and great days because they’re not guaranteed, but they just keep happening.

There are plenty of pundits and fans getting far too carried away about our chances this season. Yet, what if they’re right in saying we might be in with a shot of the Premier League title when the final day comes round?