Make the Amex like London and watch the Seagulls fly
Up or down the Premier League? Which way Brighton will be looking in 2022-23 will be decided by their home form with the Seagulls looking to make an even greater impression on the Premier League.
Ninth place in 2021-22 was Brighton’s best ever season. They were also a factor in the championship and Champions League race.
Cutting points from Liverpool at Anfield. Defeating Manchester United 4-0. Not losing once in London, winning at Arsenal and Spurs and drawing at West Ham and Chelsea.
Now Brighton have to prove whether finishing in the top 10 was a one-off or the start of a permanent position up there with the best.
When 2021-22 began, pundits thought the Seagulls were a team with little chance of being relegated but that they might still be involved in the battle at the bottom.
Brighton made only two big money signings, Marc Cucurella and Enock Mwepu. They had one of the smaller budgets and there was a big question over their inability to win home matches since Graham Potter took charge.
In the end, Potter not only defied the predictions and easily kept Brighton in the Premier League but he led them to be one of the biggest surprises.
A best Premier League start was followed by three months with no victory but crucially this blackout period had few defeats, eight draws from 11 games keeping Brighton still in the top 10.
Potter found ways to get the Seagulls out of their impasse, twice in fact. The final eight games were more impressive as they came after six defeats in a row.
Brighton though saved their best for trips to London. Arsenal 1-2 Brighton and Spurs 0-1 Brighton were great results with Leandro Trossard scoring in both.
Against West Ham there was an equaliser at the end from Neal Maupay. The final game of 2021 and the same thing happened at Chelsea with Danny Welbeck saving the point.
Just look at these results when Brighton went to the capital:
- Brentford 0-1 Brighton
- Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton
- West Ham 1-1 Brighton
- Chelsea 1-1 Brighton
- Arsenal 1-2 Brighton
- Spurs 0-1 Brighton
Brighton in London were like a different team from Brighton at the Amex. There were some good days at home, such of course the thrashing of United.
Cucurella crying in celebration at the second goal was one of the images of the year for the Seagulls, showing what it means for the Albion to win against the biggest clubs at home.
Five victories at the Amex means there is huge room for improvement. Seven defeats at home is a disappointing return.
Before the Man United and West Ham wins, Brighton had only 12 Amex goals to their name. The final total of 19 was the third worst in the Premier League.
If Brighton are to take the next step and enter a European position, doing better at the Amex is the clear place to improve.
Two of the seven home defeats in 2021-22 turned into wins and the Seagulls finished above West Ham and qualify for the Conference.
The first task for 2022-23 is to stay in the Premier League. Then comes the chance to look up. Yves Bissouma may have gone and Cucurella may go, but Brighton have replacements ready and are earning big money to invest.
Nobody expected Brighton to overtake so many clubs and jump from from 16th to ninth. Make results at the Amex as good as in London and the overtaking does not have to stop in 2022-23. Watch the Seagulls fly.
Dimitris Manakos @dimitris_manakos / England365.gr
