\u2018Phenomenal\u2019 was the word used by Danny Murphy and Micah Richards in their analysis of Brighton & Hove Albion\u2019s 1-0 win over Liverpool on February 3 \u2013 the Seagulls\u2019 first victory over the Reds since January 30 1984.<\/p>\n
All football lovers are guilty of hyperbole, but it is hard to dispute the analysis<\/a> from Murphy and Richards; Brighton<\/a> delivered an impeccable performance to move 10 points clear of Fulham<\/a> in the bottom three and secure a third victory in their last four games.<\/p>\n Steven Alzate<\/a>\u2019s first-ever Premier League goal was enough to claim a memorable win \u2013 arguably the club\u2019s best victory since winning promotion back into the top flight in 2017.<\/p>\n It sums up a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the Seagulls, who appeared to be floundering in their attempts to move away from the Premier League relegation zone not so long ago.<\/p>\n Prior to the turn of the year, there was a continued sense of frustration among the Albion faithful with the side\u2019s inability to turn positive performances into results.<\/p>\n This weighed heavily on Potter\u2019s squad during the first half of the season, as the media continuously rolled out the statistics highlighting Albion\u2019s poor home form and lack of victories in the Premier League.<\/p>\n Brighton ended 2020 in a precarious position. A 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal<\/a> left the club two points clear of Fulham having played one game more than the west Londoners.<\/p>\n It meant that Potter\u2019s men had recorded just one win in 17 home Premier League games. The BBC highlighted this was the lowest total of victories on home soil in a calendar year in the history of the competition (excluding promoted and relegated teams, who did not complete a calendar year in the top flight).<\/p>\n There were growing voices of discontent around Potter\u2019s team selections that prompted plenty of head-scratching, especially after that Arsenal game when the Seagulls started the match without a recognised centre forward.<\/p>\n That result meant Albion had won just one of their previous 14 league matches and knew they had to turn their fortunes around quickly.<\/p>\n The New Year sparked signs of a revival, as Lewis Dunk<\/a>\u2019s header completed a comeback from 3-1 down to secure a 3-3 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.<\/a> The team then produced an encouraging display in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on January 13.<\/p>\n Neal Maupay<\/a> was the hero three days later after slotting home with a close-range finish at the end of a sumptuous move to secure a 1-0 win away at Leeds United<\/a> \u2013 ending a run of nine league games without a victory.<\/p>\n Old problems resurfaced for the visit of fellow strugglers Fulham \u2013 16 shots, five on target and no goals, as the game finished 0-0.<\/p>\n But Leandro Trossard<\/a>\u2019s goal got Albion back on track in a brilliant 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>, before Liverpool<\/a> were vanquished by the same scoreline.<\/p>\n The Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool results will give Potter vindication that his faith in building from the back and playing a free-flowing style of football can be successful in the long term.<\/p>\n Even in the bleaker periods of the season, Albion didn\u2019t change their style of play or abandon Potter\u2019s philosophy that has served him so well during his managerial career to date.<\/p>\n The former Swansea City<\/a> and Ostersunds boss is also not afraid to make the big calls, especially the ones that may not seem obvious at the time.<\/p>\n Mathew Ryan<\/a> was on the unfortunate receiving end of such a call when he was frozen out of the first-team picture, after being a regular between the sticks in Albion\u2019s three previous Premier League seasons.<\/p>\n The Australia international made 123 appearances and kept 27 clean sheets for the Seagulls, but that did not stop Potter making the brave call to bring Robert Sanchez<\/a> into the side.<\/p>\n The talented Spaniard has slotted into the team like a duck to water and has kept five clean sheets in 11 Premier League appearances to date. When you add Christian Walton to the mix, Albion have two of the brightest young goalkeeping prospects<\/a> in the division.<\/p>\n Potter can also be applauded for placing his faith in youth. Experienced campaigners and two of the club\u2019s longest-serving players, Dale Stephens<\/a> and Shane Duffy<\/a>, were both ushered out of the club and allowed the likes of Ben White<\/a> and Alzate more chances to impress.<\/p>\n The campaign has been a bit of a slow burner for Alzate, with the Colombia international now coming to the fore again after a breakthrough season in 2019\/20.<\/p>\n White has shown his undoubted potential, proving his versatility having played on the right side of midfield, in a holding position and as a centre-back.<\/p>\n There is still plenty more to come from Aaron Connolly<\/a>, and his willingness to run between the lines brilliantly complements Albion\u2019s attacking play.<\/p>\n One certainly wouldn\u2019t bet against the Irishman adding to his two strikes against Newcastle United<\/a> and Wolves this campaign.<\/p>\n The hallmark of Brighton\u2019s teams in the Premier League has been their stubbornness at the back \u2013 epitomised by the resoluteness shown by Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster<\/a> at Anfield.<\/p>\n Dunk has been immense for Albion for a number of years in the Championship and in all four of the club\u2019s seasons in the Premier League.<\/p>\n Webster is also showing the form that justifies the \u00a320 million fee<\/a> that was paid to Bristol City for his services back in August 2019.<\/p>\n Tariq Lamptey<\/a> has been a revelation at full-back and Joel Veltman<\/a> has been a more than a capable replacement in his absence \u2013 also proving his versatility in playing across a number of different positions.<\/p>\n It all equates to the Seagulls having the best defensive record in the bottom half of the table \u2013 a clear positive to build on heading into the remaining 17 games of the season.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s hoping the feel-good factor continues on the south coast.<\/p>\n Main Photo<\/p>\nBrighton & Hove Albion Revival in the New Year<\/h3>\n
Changing Goalkeepers Midway Through the Season<\/h3>\n
Academy Prospects Starting to Shine<\/h3>\n
Immense Defensively in Brighton & Hove Albion Revival<\/h3>\n