Brighton and Hove Albion pause for the international break after a fine start to the season

I was little concerned for Brighton ahead of this season.

Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma were both inured and Danny Welbeck - the leading scorer for the past two seasons - was sold to Chelsea.

Attackers Jack Hinshelwood and Georginio were then sidelined with injuries soon after the season began.

Despite these setbacks, Brighton are third in the table after five matches as we head into the first international break. The Seagulls are also the division's highest scorers with an impressive 16 goals.

Here’s seven reasons why Brighton have made a bright start to the 2026-27 campaign.

Seven surprises for Brighton

1. Luka Vuskovic: The 6ft 4in Croatian arrived from Tottenham for around £50m last summer. It was a huge investment as Brighton smashed their transfer record but already it appears to be money well spent.

The 19-year-old plays with the calm authority of an experienced pro and has more than replaced Jan Paul van Hecke, who moved in the opposite direction to Tottenham.

Vuskovic has started every Premier League match this season and also started both legs of the Uefa Conference League qualifier against Tromso and the 3-2 Carabao Cup win at Manchester United.

He was replaced for the final 12 minutes of the 5-0 win at Coventry but aside from that, he has played every single minute. The centre back looks a brilliant signing for Brighton. He will likely play for Real Madrid one day... he really is that good.

2. Olivier Boscagli: The French defender struggled to establish himself last term but has taken a huge step forward this season. The 28-year has also started every PL match so far and the Conference League and Carabao Cup clashes. Boscagli has operated in a number of positions - left back, centre back and also centre midfield.

The 28-year-old has one of the best left footed deliveries in the Premier League and his form was recognised last week as he was called up to the France longlist squad by Zinédine Zidane. Class act.

3. Malick Yalcouye: Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the emergence of the young Ivory Coast midfielder. Yalcouye has grabbed his chance mainly due to the injuries to Hinshelwood and Georginio.

He scored two excellent goals - one at Chelsea one at Coventry - and his non-stop workrate has made him an instant favourite. His loan last season at Swansea did little to suggest he would make such an impact in the Premier League. Well played Malick.

4. Pascal Gross: The 35-year-old is playing the best football of his career. The German international has been at the peak of his powers and has surpassed expectations already this season.

When he arrived back from Borussia Dortmund last January, fans may have expected a few cameos and the odd "Gross turn." The midfielder has delivered and some. His output has been remarkable and adds a calm authority to midfield.

Absolutely ran the show at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup and has started and completed every single match so far.

5. Maxim De Cuyper: His name was not the first on many supporter's minds when pondering how they would replace the injured Mitoma.

The Belgian though returned from the World Cup with an extra spring in his step and is starting to fulfil the glimpses of his potential he displayed last season. Three goals and three assists is a very good return from the left sided 25-year-old.

6. Charalampos Kostoulas: I picked out the Greek teenager as one to watch at the start of the season and the former Olimpiacos man is really starting to prove his worth. His workrate when leading the line has been exceptional and he always looks like a player capable of making things happen from nothing.

He netted a classy strike against Coventry, along with very well taken goals against Arsenal and Manchester too. His form is perhaps a major reason why Welbeck was allowed to leave. Four goals and three assists in all competitions for Brighton so far.

7. Goals: Brighton have 16 from five in the Premier League. They scored four from two in the Uefa Conference League against Tromso and three at Manchester United in the Carabao.

That makes a grand total of 23 goals from eight matches. Impressive under normal circumstances but even more so when you consider Welbeck‘s exit and the injuries to Mitoma, Minteh, Hinshelwood and Georginio.

The goals have been shared around with Gross (3), Kostoulas (2), Yalcouyé (2), Hinshelwood (2), Vuskovic (1) De Cuyper (1), Dunk (1), Ayari (1) and Chema Andrés (1) all netting in the PL this term.