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Imagine losing a game in the 100th minute after the full-time whistle had already been blown, having scored a well-deserved tie in the fifth minute of five minutes injury time, and after breaking the all-time record for the game. Premier League for the most hitting the wood in a single game (five). Not to mention that one sanction was overturned following the VAR review and then another (possibly more credible) sanction claim was dismissed entirely.
That, of course, is the scenario that played out for Brighton & Hove Albion against Manchester United on Saturday. As is often the case, Graham Potter’s side was hugely impressive in many respects, vastly outperforming United for much of the contest, but somehow managed to walk away with zero points to show for his efforts.
In fact, Brighton finds himself with only three points on the board after three games when in reality, they should have nine, or seven, at the very least. Before beating Newcastle United 3-0 last weekend, they also had an excellent opening day performance against Chelsea, once again dominating for long stretches only to end on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline.
According to Understat’s expected goal model, Brighton was the best team against Chelsea (1.44 vs 1.27 xG, including a penalty for Chelsea), and was drastically superior to United (2.98 vs 1.58 xG, including a penalty for both sides). Adding a cumulative xG of 4.42 for and just 2.85 against, while playing two of the top four from last season, is hugely impressive as a reflection of his level of performance.
In fact, they currently have the second highest xG in the league this season (6.3) behind Everton (7.7), which, although teams like Liverpool and Manchester City will almost certainly surpass it once they’ve also played. three games, shows how effective Brighton is creating quality opportunities.
The problem is that they are not close enough to the clinic in front of the goal and are susceptible to giving away cheap goals at the other end, which is never a good combination. What Brighton are crying out for is a prolific center forward who turns his dominance and creativity into something tangible on the scoreboard, thereby turning aesthetically pleasing performances into positive results.
Aside from Neal Maupay, who scored 10 league goals last season (nine in open play), Brighton’s second top scorer in the league was Leandro Trossard with five, followed by center-backs Adam Webster and Lewis Dunk with three apiece. , plus Aaron Connolly. also in three.
They are, in almost every way, the Perfect match for Rhian Brewster, who Liverpool are clearly ready to cash in before the transfer window closes on October 6. The fact that he wasn’t even on the squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Lincoln City in the middle of the week should serve as confirmation that it is not part of Jürgen Klopp’s plans this season.
As talented as Brewster is, a parting of the ways makes perfect sense at this point, with Diogo Jota, Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri and Harvey Elliott seemingly all favored in the pecking order of the top three coverage spots and rotation options.
He showed what he can do with regular playing time on loan at Swansea City in the second half of last season with 10 goals in 20 Championship appearances, and the next logical step is to show that he can do it at Premier level too. League.
Sheffield United has been the club most strongly linked to his signing in recent weeks, but without a seemingly imminent deal, other suitors will surely be on the alert. Brighton was named as one of six clubs interested in borrowing it last month, but with Liverpool looking for a permanent transfer (probably in the region of £ 20-25 million, with a possible buyback clause), they would benefit. enormously. to make a move.
As an attacking-minded, possession-based team desperately in need of a natural goalscorer, it’s the kind of environment Brewster could really thrive in. There’s also the Adam Lallana factor that could also add to the appeal by bonding with his former teammate, while Tariq Lamptey’s exceptional progress since arriving from Chelsea is exactly the kind of path that Brewster should encourage and seek to follow.
If Brighton can afford it, Brewster may well demonstrate the difference between a relegation fight and a comfortable finish in the middle of the table.
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