Neal Maupay has been looking back on his debut campaign and revealed his top five moment from last season.
The Frenchman scored ten Premier League goals as the Seagulls finished 15th during an impressive first season in the top flight for the 24-year-old.
With the new season kicking off in less than three weeks, Maupay also looks ahead and outlines his ambitions.
5: GOAL AGAINST CRYSTAL PALACE AT SELHURT PARK
The fans and everyone at the club was telling me about the rivalry. It was a big game for everyone, my first derby and it was a nice goal.
To score and celebrate in front of our fans was a really good moment. The fans bring so many emotions to football. When you play big games, especially away, you get booed a lot so when you score the weight comes off your shoulders. That’s why I celebrated the way I did.
4: DEBUT GOAL AGAINST WATFORD
The game came a week after I signed for Brighton and I came on as a substitute. It was my first match in the Premier League and I felt ready to make that step up.
For me personally it was really important to score straightaway, then I didn’t have to worry about it but I was confident and I knew I could score goals in any league in the world.
3: 1-0 WIN AT NORWICH
It was a much-needed win. The game before we lost 3-0 against Manchester United and after that we were playing Manchester City and Liverpool. We knew if we wanted to be safe we needed that win.
It wasn’t the prettiest game and we didn’t play really well but everyone fought to the end and Leandro [Trossard] scored a good goal on the counter. They had a big chance right at the end and hit the post. I thought it was in and was saying ‘no, please, please no!’ But it hit the post and Dan Burn cleared. I knew then we had done it.
It put us six points above the relegation zone, so it was massive for us. The changing room afterwards was one of my best memories. I have never been involved in a battle at the bottom so when you get those wins it feels pretty much the same as when you want to finish at the top.
2: GOAL AWAY TO ARSENAL
I don’t think a lot of people were expecting us to win. But we played a good game, were 1-0 up and then they equalised from a corner.
We kept pushing, Aaron Mooy crossed and I got in ahead of David Luiz to score in front of our fans, which was an amazing moment. Everyone was happy and our fans were delighted.
1: GOAL AT HOME AGAINST ARSENAL
It was the first game after the lockdown. At that time we hadn’t won in 2020 and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t playing on my mind. Everyone was a bit concerned because we were getting close to the relegation zone. We needed points.
After they scored first the whole team stepped up and Dunky equalised a goal from a corner.
We kept pushing and I scored the winning goal in the 94th minute. The feeling was amazing for and the team and myself. When I walked into the dressing room I remember everyone was smiling and hugging.
I scored the goal, but most importantly we won and that brought so many good feelings for the boss, coaching staff and medical staff, it wasn’t just me. It’s my best memory of the season because it was just special for everyone. It’s so sad that the fans weren’t there because it would have been crazy. It gave us a lot of confidence to kick on.
LOOKING AHEAD
This coming season, first of all we need to keep the club in the Premier League, we finished 15th last season, why not push for more? Who knows, you cant be satisfied with what you have done in the past, if you want to improve as a player and a team you have to target really high and set standards high.