Albion Analytics: Leeds United

Albion won for the third time on matchday four to go joint-top of the Premier League at full-time.

Ten points from the first four games is Brighton’s best ever start in the Premier League and they last returned this many points from as many games in the 2015/16 Championship season.

Stretching back to last season, Graham Potter’s side are unbeaten in nine consecutive Premier League games – a club record – and have kept five clean sheets in that time, outscoring opponents 18-5.

Brighton have the best defence in the Premier League after four games, conceding only once and shutting opponents out on three occasions. Understat have Brighton among the top three sides for fewest xG conceded (3.52), with only Manchester City and Arsenal bettering that.

The Albion have conceded the fifth-fewest shots on target (10), notably outperforming opponents thus far this season in terms of shot frequency (51 v 44) as well as shots on target (14 v 10), xG (6.77 v 3.52) and touches in the opposition box (111 v 86).

Saturday was the fifth time Brighton have faced Leeds in the Premier League since the Whites’ promotion in 2020, and they are unbeaten in these games.

Four clean sheets, three wins and two draws, outscoring Leeds 5-1 in those fixtures and taking 11 points in total. Since the start of the 2020/21 season, Albion have only taken as many points against West Ham (also 11) as against Leeds.

Pascal Gross was the matchwinner – and man of the match – for Albion yet again and has been directly involved in four of Brighton’s five goals this season – three goals and one assist. Only in the 2017-18 campaign (7) did he score more than three times in a campaign and looks set to challenge that personal best this year.

Across the first four games, Gross is one of six Brighton players to play every minute and he tops the Albion charts for final third touches (112), goals plus assists (4) and progressive passes played (21).

The German ranks inside Albion’s top two for shot-creating actions (15), pressures (70), touches in opposition box (15), progressive passes received (25) and progressive carries (16), evidencing his all-round contribution with and without the ball in a fast start to the season.

Pervis Estupinan made his full Premier League and Amex debut. The Ecuadorian international had the most touches (70), progressive passes plus carries (9) and tackles plus interceptions (6) of any Brighton player, whilst he ranked second for shot-creating actions (4). But he was dispossessed the most times (4) of any player and will need time to fully adjust to the Premier League and Potter’s style.

Notably, after four games Brighton have only had the majority share of possession in one match (54% at home to Newcastle). Though renowned for their expansive play style – and Pascal Gross’ goal against Leeds capped a 12-pass move – Albion have become a better counter-attacking side this season.

Only Tottenham (10) could match them for direct attacks, which are sequences starting in the defensive half, involving 50% or more forward movement and ending in a shot or touch in the opposition box. Similarly, Brighton have eight shot-ending high turnovers this season, which only Arsenal (9) can better.