Brighton 2017/18 Premier League season review

Image: Brighton manager Chris Hughton

Brighton finished the 2017/18 Premier League season in 14th place.

Read on for our review of their campaign, complete with expert analysis from Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas.

Finishing position: 15th
Total points: 40
FA Cup: Quarter-finals
Carabao Cup: Third round
Top scorer: Glenn Murray (12)

Survival was the sole aim of Brighton's first season in the Premier League and they achieved it in memorable style, beating Manchester United 1-0 at the Amex Stadium to hit the hallowed 40-point mark with two games to spare.

It capped an impressive season from the Seagulls, who started out as one of the favourites for the drop. Chris Hughton's side were well-drilled and often difficult to break down, conceding fewer goals than Arsenal or any other side in the bottom half of the table over the course of the campaign.

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They were helped by smart transfer dealings, with new arrivals such as Pascal Gross, Jose Izquierdo and goalkeeper Mat Ryan strengthening the squad considerably and helping them claim memorable wins over West Ham, Arsenal and Manchester United along the way.

Image: Brighton enjoyed their first season in the Premier League

Best day of 2017/18

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That 1-0 win over Manchester United which clinched survival at a buoyant Amex Stadium with two games remaining.

Worst day of 2017/18

They will be eager to forget their 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in April.

CHARLIE NICHOLAS'S VERDICT

Managerial review

Chris Hughton never does anything wrong. He doesn't get the praise that he deserves because people just look at him as a survivor but they were never really under threat and he knew the essence of the team was right. He mixed up his attacking players to get the results required.

Image: Chris Hughton steered Brighton away from danger

Player of the year

They've got a very good goalkeeper in Mat Ryan, then Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk were excellent with their honest defending. Glenn Murray has been fabulous and proved he can deliver at this level, but Pascal Gross just nudges him out for the award with his creativity. He showed a bit more quality than the rest.

2018/19 prospects

I think if they fail to reinvest then they could be in trouble, but I think Hughton will be aware that he needs to reinvigorate the side. They looked at Moussa Dembele in January, with Celtic resisting a £12m bid, and I wouldn't be surprised if they came back in for him, while they could do with a bit more pace at the back and bit more depth generally.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 5/2

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