Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a commanding performance to dismantle Crystal Palace 5-0, a result that has prompted serious debate about whether the Seagulls belong in the Premier League title conversation.

Match of the Day pundits Shay Given and Dion Dublin dissected the victory, with Dublin going as far as asking — "Why not?" — when considering Brighton's prospects in the title race. Dublin described the performance as "breathtaking," a word that captures the sheer authority with which Brighton overwhelmed their opponents.

A statement result

A five-goal margin against any Premier League side is significant, but doing it against a London rival in such convincing fashion sends a clear message to the rest of the division. Brighton left no room for doubt, controlling the match from start to finish.

Given and Dublin both acknowledged the quality on display, with Dublin's enthusiasm for Brighton's title credentials proving the standout talking point from the post-match analysis. For a club that has grown steadily into one of the Premier League's most admired sides, the suggestion is no longer as outlandish as it might once have seemed.

Title race credentials

Brighton's ability to produce performances of this magnitude places them firmly in the discussion that matters most in English football. Whether they can sustain that level across a full season remains the central question — but on the evidence of a 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace, Dublin's "Why not?" carries genuine weight.