There are only seven previous instances of a team scoring 23 or more goals after seven games of a Premier League season. All bar one have gone on to finish in the top three, with Manchester City winning the title in 2011-12 and 2022-23.
The outlier? Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United team of 1994-95, who faded and finished sixth. Comparisons have already been drawn between that side, dubbed ‘The Entertainers’, and the swagger of the current Brighton squad.
With that in mind, Alan Wares co-host of the Albion Roar podcast suggested that perhaps a Champions League place, rather than a full-blown title challenge, might be a more realistic aim.
“I think with the Premier League being seven games in and the other matches we’ve already played, I think the dream for us is sustainability. I wouldn’t go for a target, just as high as possible,” said Alan.
“The club is really wanting to qualify for Champions League at the end of the season but yes, we’ve made a good start – 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 and our point is, why not?
“If we can continue this, and that is the main point we’ve got to look at, if we can be sustainable in what we’re doing and what we achieve, then yes. Why not? Go for the sky, see what happens.”
With Conference League football to juggle, it seems improbable Brighton’s squad can last the pace with the likes of Arsenal for the duration of the season. Leicester City, the last outsiders to lift the title, do provide some hope. They were eighth with 12 points after seven games of their memorable 2015-16 triumph.
