Brighton rise to second but Gross rejects title-race talk

Brighton moved into second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Brentford on Sunday, strengthening their case as Arsenal’s nearest challengers — though they remain five points behind the leaders after 10 games.

The result was Brighton’s sixth win in seven league matches. They have won seven of their opening 10 games, including victories over Arsenal and Manchester City, and have scored a league-high 26 goals. Their seven clean sheets are joint-most, while only Arsenal have conceded fewer than Brighton’s five.

Arsenal have won nine of their 10 matches, with their only defeat coming at home to Brighton in September. Manchester City fell below Brighton after losing 3-1 to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross, who helped create the second goal against Brentford, rejected talk of a title challenge. “No, we are not in a title race,” he told Sky Sports, adding that the team were pleased with their start but were not getting carried away.

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman told BBC Sport that Champions League qualification was “probably the minimum” expected of Brighton on current form. He said winning the league would be unexpected, while suggesting the club could challenge for a domestic cup or the Conference League.

Brighton’s position as the closest challengers depends partly on how the season unfolds. Liverpool and Chelsea, fourth and fifth, have both beaten them in the league, while Manchester City’s financial case remains subject to appeal. City deny wrongdoing; the BBC reported that an independent commission found the club guilty of breaching 114 Premier League financial rules, with a points deduction or expulsion possible if City lose their appeal.

Brighton head into the international break with Yankuba Minteh back from injury, while Kaoru Mitoma is expected to return after being sidelined since May. The club’s next test of their early-season form will come after the break.