WAB Brighton Power Rankings December 2022
The Premier League returned following the World Cup winter break with Brighton taking to the field three times in December.
It was something of a mixed bag of results. A disappointing Carabao Cup exit to Charlton Athletic was followed by a rare win over Southampton on Boxing Day and defeat to Arsenal on New Year’s Eve.
The outcome against Arsenal only told half the story, however. After shipping three goals in an hour, the Albion were the better side in the final 30 minutes.
Two goals were pulled back and were it not for a frankly ridiculous offside given by VAR against Kaoru Mitoma, Brighton would have had a third to set up a tense finale. The Gunners looked panicked enough as it was at 4-2, let alone 4-3.
Kaoru Mitoma was the star of the show of course and having been voted WAB December 2022 Player of the Month, it is probably not a spoiler to reveal that he was also the highest rated Albion player across the month.
Roberto De Zerbi used only 17 other players through December alongside Mitoma. Here is how they scored in the WAB Power Rankings.
1) Kaoru Mitoma – 72.22
Scored one legal goal against Arsenal and denied a second when VAR discovered one of his neck hairs had blown offside. The Gunners looked frightened every time he was on the ball, as did the Saints defence when Brighton won 3-1 at Southampton. If he maintains this sort of form over the remainder of the season, then the Albion may find themselves fighting off bids come the summer.
2) Levi Colwill – 68.33
After elimination from Qatar, 90min predicted who would be in the England starting XI at the 2026 World Cup. Colwill was their choice as left sided centre back and although it has taken some time for his Brighton career to get up and running, Albion fans began to understand why he is so highly rated through December. Good defensively, confident on the ball and with a left foot that only increases his importance.
3) Evan Ferguson – 66.67
December was a breakthrough month for 18-year-old Ferguson. He converted his penalty in the shootout at Charlton having seen more senior teammates Leandro Trossard and Pascal Gross miss. It was his introduction against Arsenal which helped turn the tide in the Albion’s favour, including a first Premier League goal scored through strength and clinical finishing.
4) Lewis Dunk – 66.11
Nobody really seems to be talking about Dunk’s form and yet he has now finished in the top four of the WAB Power Rankings in both December and November. Another solid set of performances of the standard we have simply come to expect from the Brighton captain.
5) Pervis Estupinan – 65.56
Enjoyed an excellent World Cup for Ecuador and continued that form on his return to the Albion. His link up with Mitoma down the left was an absolute joy to watch at Southampton with Estupinan having a huge hand in the own goal when his cross caused chaos between goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and defender and Romain Perraud.
6) Solly March – 63.33
A goal, a goal, at long last, a goal. March finally broke his barren spell in such style that he was on the shortlist for Premier League Goal of the Month. What made it all the more impressive was that it came five days after he had missed a penalty at Charlton which could have won Brighton the shootout. For a player with confidence issues to bounce back from that setback so easily was a very welcome surprise.
7) Adam Lallana – 61.94
Getting a regular run of games as a number 10 has led Lallana to enjoy the best form of his Albion career. Like March, he could not score for love nor money until De Zerbi arrived. Now he looks a real goal threat – as former club Southampton found to their cost when he opened the scoring at St Mary’s.
8) Pascal Gross – 60.56
Alexis Mac Allister being given December off to celebrate becoming a world champion meant Gross moving back into midfield. Put his intelligence to good use there in terms of keeping the ball and popped up with yet another assist against Arsenal.
9) Tariq Lamptey – 57.78
Scored his penalty against Charlton but failed to make the most of a rare starting opportunity in the Premier League when his approach was a little too gung-ho and left the Albion defence vulnerable in the defeat to Arsenal.
10) Leandro Trossard – 49.72
Some Brighton fans accused Trossard of appearing to down tools since returning from the World Cup as he attempts to secure a January or summer move. De Zerbi seemingly agreed, dropping Trossard for his December performances and telling him he has to start giving 100 percent if he wants his place in the Albion starting XI back.
11) Jeremy Sarmiento – 49.44
It was the fearless young trio of Sarmiento, Ferguson and Julio Enciso who made Brighton look so dangerous in the final half hour of the Arsenal game. Having enjoyed a decent World Cup, he now needs to stay fit and be more consistent if he is to force more regular opportunities.
12) Billy Gilmour – 41.39
Mac Allister being on the piss somewhere in Argentina and Moises Caicedo’s suspension gave Gilmour his first Premier League start for Brighton when Arsenal came to town. Neat and tidy but Albion fans are still yet to see just why he attracted so much hype at Chelsea.
13) Julio Enciso – 39.44
An exciting prospect but even less consistent than Sarmiento. Some of his approach play in his Arsenal cameo was a joy to watch and when his decision making improves, he is going to be quite the player.
14) Robert Sanchez – 38.33
Not a great month for the Albion number one. Had a complete meltdown at Southampton where he was lucky not to be sent off. Should have done better with at least two of the Arsenal goals, possibly three.
15) Moises Caicedo – 37.50
His lowly place in the Power Rankings is largely due to missing the Arsenal game after accumulating five yellow cards. Having said that, he was below his best in December. Nobody could balme him for suffering from a World Cup hangover given how emotional he looked when Ecuador were cruelly eliminated at the group stage.
16) Joel Veltman – 24.17
Named on the bench against Charlton and Arsenal. His absence has merely served to increase his importance with Brighton looking far more solid when he was at right back against Southampton than with Lamptey there against the Gunners.
17) Jason Steele – 15.28
Viva Jason Steele. Did not deserve to be on the losing side in the Carabao Cup after keeping a clean sheet and saving two penalties in the shootout.
18) Deniz Undav – 9.72
Scored twice in a winter break friendly against Aston Villa and hopes were high that form would carry into Charlton. It never really happened for him at the Valley before he missed the next two games, with it being later revealed he was suffering from personal problems.
The WAB Power Rankings are formulated through our matchday player scores. To play your part, make sure to follow us on Twitter and leave your post game player ratings in the relevant thread.
