As each week passes, though, it is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss Brighton's credentials.Having won seven of their opening 10 Premier League matches, including beating Arsenal and Manchester City, the Seagulls have shown quality as well as character.But it is not just their league position that makes for impressive reading. Almost all of the underlying numbers point to a side capable of maintaining their early-season form.Brighton have created the second-highest number of big chances (37) in the division and scored more goals (26) than any other side this term.Much of their attacking threat has been driven by Gross, who rejoined the club from Borussia Dortmund in January, having left in 2024.The German midfielder has spent seven-and-a-half years at the Amex across two spells, either side of his spell back in his homeland, and has re-established himself as Brighton's creative heartbeat this season.Gross has created eight big chances in the Premier League, more than any other player.As well as finding the back of the net against Brentford, he also created at least five chances for his team-mates.It was the 27th time since the start of the 2017-18 season that Gross has created five or more chances in a single match, with only Kevin de Bruyne (48) and Bruno Fernandes (47) having managed more.He admitted earlier this week: "I just keep going.
I think I'm fit, I try to prepare as good as I can and try to help the team win games."At the other end of the pitch, only defending champions and current leaders Arsenal have been more impressive than Brighton, who have kept the joint-highest number of clean sheets (seven) and conceded the second-fewest goals (five) in the division."The way they're playing at the moment, Champions League qualification is probably the minimum that you'd expect Brighton to achieve," former Everton midfielder Leon Osman told BBC Sport."They look like a team that has really kicked on over the last 18 months. The football they're playing is outstanding and they are a great team to watch."Can they win the league?
I think it would be unexpected if they did, but I expected them to win something this year, whether that is a domestic trophy like the FA Cup or the Conference League."There was another welcome boost for Brighton as Yankuba Minteh made his first Premier League appearance of the season against Brentford.The Gambia forward, who was the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Liverpool during the summer, has been one of their most dangerous attacking players since joining from Newcastle United in 2024.Minteh's return to fitness is expected to be followed closely by that of Kaoru Mitoma, who has been sidelined since May with a hamstring complaint.There is a feeling an opportunity could be seized in the title race this season.Although Arsenal have won nine of their opening 10 matches, they have arguably not been quite as convincing as they were during their title-winning campaign last season and were beaten 3-0 at Brighton in September.Elsewhere, Manchester City fell further behind with a third successive league defeat on Saturday evening at the City Ground.But even if Enzo Maresca's side were to rediscover their form after the international break - and visit Arsenal on 29 November - there remains considerable uncertainty over how their season could unfold following their financial charges.City were found guilty of breaching 114 Premier League financial rules by an independent commission earlier this year, three-and-a-half years after they were first charged by the league. The club have since exercised their right to appeal the verdict and vehemently deny any wrongdoing.However, should they fail in their appeal, City could face a significant points deduction or, in the most extreme scenario, expulsion from the Premier League.Were that to happen, Brighton would, based on the current standings, emerge as Arsenal's most realistic title challengers.In fourth and fifth spot are Liverpool and Chelsea, the only two sides to have beaten Brighton in the league this season.
But they appear to be enduring transitional campaigns and are currently a significant way off the pace required to mount a challenge.Osman believed it was the perfect opportunity for Brighton to take advantage as he added: "They have taken time to build this team, letting some of their best players go and redoing the whole thing all over again."Now they just seem to be getting to a point where they'll be keeping their best players. "They are in this great position where it is now time to get the most out of all this ability for their own success, to benefit the club and the fans, rather than just for the financial gain of selling players on for huge profits."