Brighton impress with Premier League goals record

A four-goal win against Chelsea meant they have already scored 19 times.

That’s their best haul to date in the first 12 games of a high-profile campaign.

It surpasses the 17 they scored in the opening stages of the 1981-82 season, in which they ultimately finished 13th.

This season in the old First Division was the only previous time they were up on goal difference after 12 games.

They scored 13 goals and conceded 13 in the first 12 games of their debut Prem season in 2017-18.

Curiously, last season – which ended up being their best ever – they scored the fewest goals in their first 12 top-flight games.

They had scored 12 goals and conceded 14 at that point.

Graham Potter’s side had 17 points from 12 games this time last year, as did Mike Bailey’s men in 1981-82.

This time they beat that with 18 points.

Albion had by this point scored a respectable 13 goals – but conceded 27 – in the 1982–83 relegation season.

The 17-goal tally of 41 years ago was bolstered by a 4-0 win over Manchester City and a 3-3 draw with Liverpool, both of whom were mid-table, in back-to-back home games.

Albion’s current handy tally comes despite not scoring in four of their 12 games – and three of six at home.

They have scored at least three goals in three of their last seven games.

Albion points and goal differences after 12 games in a top season are as follows:

1979-80: 14-22, 9 points.

1980-81: 15-22, 10 pts

1981-82: 17-13, 17 points.

1982-83: 13-27, 15 points.

2017-18: 13-13, 16 pts.

2018-19: 13-18, 14 pts

2019–20: 15–17, 15 pts

2020-21: 15-21, 10 pts

2021-22: 12-14, 17 pts

2022–23: 19–15, 18 pts