Jack Hinshelwood struck Brighton and Hove Albion's fifth goal against Crystal Palace on Sunday with the confidence of a side on a roll — completing a fourth consecutive Premier League victory and a staggering aggregate of 15 goals scored without reply across those four matches.

The two-yard volley was a study in contrast with teammate Diego Gomez's audacious strike from the halfway line that had put Brighton two ahead as early as the 7th minute of the A23 derby. A 5-0 final scoreline underlined just how dominant Fabian Hurzeler's side have been.

After seven matches, Brighton sit third in the Premier League on 16 points, behind reigning champions Arsenal and table-toppers Manchester City — who boast a perfect record. No club has scored more goals, and none has conceded fewer.

The case for a genuine title challenge

Match of the Day pundit Dion Dublin, who won the title with Manchester United in 1992-93, is convinced Brighton deserve to be taken seriously. "Why not?" he said. "What we've seen of them this season is togetherness, harmony — the manager's making good decisions. Pascal Gross is leading the line in regards to what goes on on the pitch. Everybody's chipping in with goals. They look a very, very frightening team at the moment."

In Europe's top five leagues, only Barcelona — who have scored 39 goals in nine La Liga matches — have netted more domestic league goals than Brighton this season. Hurzeler's men have also recorded the most shots on target in the Premier League and rank second for xG, shots, and big chances created.

Life after Welbeck

Brighton lost veteran forward Danny Welbeck to Chelsea in the summer, following the departure of top scorer Joao Pedro to the same club a year earlier. Yet once again, the club's data-driven recruitment model — underpinned by owner Tony Bloom's relationship with Jamestown Analytics — has unearthed a capable successor.

Greece striker Charalampos Kostoulas, 19, was used mainly from the bench last season but has stepped up as the team's focal point this term. He has contributed three league goals and two assists — a tally bettered among European teenage players this season only by Lamine Yamal.

Kostoulas is supported by a deep pool of contributors: Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari, Malick Yalcouye, and Maxim de Cuyper have all featured prominently, while a rejuvenated Gross operates with authority from a deeper role. Brighton already have 11 league scorers this season, in addition to benefiting from three own goals.

Defensive solidity amid injury losses

The Seagulls have maintained their defensive discipline despite losing centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and midfield anchor Carlos Baleba to injury. Luka Vuskovic, signed from Tottenham Hotspur, has been a standout addition — helping Brighton keep a league-high five clean sheets while remaining unbeaten at home.

What history says

There have been only seven previous occasions when a Premier League side scored 23 or more goals within the opening seven games of a season. All but one of those teams finished in the top three, with Manchester City lifting the title in both 2011-12 and 2022-23. The sole exception was Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United of 1994-95 — a free-scoring side nicknamed "The Entertainers" who ultimately finished sixth.

Alan Ware, co-host of the Albion Roar podcast, urged some caution. "The dream for us is sustainability," he said. "The club is really wanting to qualify for Champions League at the end of the season. Are we title contenders? It's way too early to consider that — I would say that, at the moment, is fantasy stuff. But every football fan's got to have their dream. Why not? Go for the sky, see what happens."

The Manchester City factor

Brighton's final league position could yet be shaped by events beyond the pitch. An independent commission last month found Manchester City guilty on all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules across nine seasons. City are appealing, meaning any potential punishment — including a possible points deduction — remains unresolved.

Brighton travel to the Etihad on Halloween in what will be the first of four successive away fixtures across all competitions, and the table could look very different once November's international break arrives. For now, though, the Seagulls are exactly where their performances merit — and they are clearly enjoying every moment.