The 2022-23 Premier League season was one to remember for Brighton & Hove Albion as they played some of the most exciting and brilliant football in the top flight, sweeping aside big guns in the process.
Superb tactical play under Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi saw the Seagulls improve from their ninth-place finish in 2021-22 to sixth place in the just-concluded campaign, earning them a spot in the UEFA Europa League next season, the first time the South Coast outfit will play in an European competition.
Best player: Pascal Gross
The versatile German midfielder has been a very influential figure for the Seagulls since his arrival from Ingolstadt in 2017 all of which have contributed to their stability in the Premier League.
For the just-concluded season, Gross had a hand in 17 league goals (nine goals, eight assists), his best return in a Brighton shirt.
Flop Signing: None
Brighton have had a reputation for buying young and promising talent who go on to impress and are sold for big money. They purchased players such as Julio Enciso, Pervis Estupinan, Billy Gilmour and Facundo Buonanotte for the 2022-23 season and none of them underwhelmed, all playing their part towards Brighton’s historic sixth-place finish and European qualification.
Best game: Arsenal 0-3 Brighton & Hove Albion
The Seagulls effectively ended the Gunners’ hopes of lifting a first Premier League title in 19 years with a flawless performance from start to finish.
Brighton dominated the game at the Emirates Stadium, having more possession, shots and chances created with Enciso, Deniz Undav and Estupinan finding the back of the net. It was one of the few games where Arsenal did not have any sort of control having done so against other opponents over the course of the season.
Worst result: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-5 Everton
Brighton were brilliant during the season but had some bad results one of which was against the Toffees at the Amex Stadium.
Everton overran Brighton with superb counter-attacking play, Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure particularly making life difficult for the Brighton backline. There was simply no way of stopping Everton on the day and the result ultimately played a big part in their survival on the final day of the campaign.
Top scorer: Alexis Mac Allister
The Argentine midfielder had the best stint of his career with the reputation as a goal merchant, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists to finish as the top scorer for the Seagulls.
Mac Allister’s profile was boosted after playing a key part in Argentina’s FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar and has drawn the attention of suitors ready to price him away from the Amex Stadium this summer.
