News

The season in stats

Part one of our statistical review of the season with Opta

By BHAFC • 01 June 2024

By Paul Hazlewood
Against Newcastle Evan Ferguson became the youngest player to score a Premier League hat-trick since Liverpool's Michael Owen in 1998.

Albion made 143 changes to their starting line-ups in the Premier League in 2023-24, the third-most in a season in the history of the competition, after Manchester United in 2013-14 and Manchester City in 2019-20 (both 144).

In September, Albion became only the third side to win four consecutive Premier League meetings with Manchester United, after Liverpool (Dec 2000–Jan 2002) and Man City (Apr 2013–Nov 2014).

With a 1-1 draw against Burnley in December, Brighton became the first team to score and concede in 20 consecutive top-flight matches since Newcastle United between December 1957 and August 1958 (21).

James Milner appeared in his 22nd Premier League season, equalling the competition’s record held by Ryan Giggs.

Against Wolves in January, Milner became the outright second highest appearance maker in Premier League history (633), overtaking Ryan Giggs (Milner currently on 634).

By Paul Hazlewood
James Milner became the outright second highest appearance maker in Premier League history against Wolves in January.

Albion’s 5-0 win at Sheffield United was their biggest ever margin of victory in an away top-flight match, and biggest on the road in any league outing since February 2000, when we won 7-1 at Chester City in the fourth tier.

All 241 of Brighton captain Lewis Dunk’s Premier League appearances have come as starts, with only four other outfield players registering higher 100% starting records in the competition (Gareth Southgate 426, Paul Ince 306, Des Walker 264, Gary Pallister 261).

Under Roberto De Zerbi (first game 1 October 2022), Brighton’s Premier League games produced a total of 226 goals (116 for, 110 against), the sixth-most of any side, behind Tottenham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in that time.

Against Newcastle in September, striker Evan Ferguson (18y 318d) became the youngest player to score a Premier League hat-trick since Michael Own for Liverpool v Newcastle in October 1998 (18y 314d).

Since the start of 2017-18, Pascal Gross has created 508 goal-scoring chances for teammates in the Premier League, a figure bettered only by Kevin De Bruyne in that time (602).

Players aged 21 or younger made 186 Premier League appearances combined for Brighton in 2023-24, the third-most in a single season behind Arsenal in 2008-09 (215) and Manchester City in 2007-08 (204).