Chris Hughton hails two-goal Pascal Gross after Brighton beat West Brom

Chris Hughton believes match-winner Pascal Gross has benefited from his early arrival at Brighton this summer.

The Seagulls swatted West Brom aside 3-1 at the Amex Stadium on Saturday with German midfielder Gross scoring twice and laying on the third.


Brighton's first top-flight win since 1983 ended a goalless and winless three-match start to their Premier League campaign, with Tomer Hemed joining Gross on the scoresheet.

Midfielder Pascal Gross was the main man at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon

Midfielder Pascal Gross was the main man at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon

The club wasted no time this summer paying £3million for Gross from Ingolstadt, and Hughton believes his full pre-season on the south coast paid dividends on Saturday.

Asked if Gross was a bargain signing, Hughton replied: 'Well, that will only be determined at the end of the season.

'But we've benefited from having him here early and being here for that time. It's allowed us to work with him and for him to settle in.

'It's a very difficult market, especially for a team that's just come up, and some aspects of it we found difficult. If you can do your business early in the transfer window then sometimes it can pay off.

'We're fortunate that he was one of our first summer buys. He's very knowledgeable about the game, about the English game, and he speaks very good English which has helped from day one.

'He's someone that wants to get better and is very serious about his football. He's a team player, somebody that you can have good football conversations with. He hasn't missed too many games in the last few years and he's very experienced.'

Gross scored two goals and assisted another as Brighton beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1

Gross scored two goals and assisted another as Brighton beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1

Gross squeezed home Brighton's opener just before the break and then rifled in his second immediately after the restart.

Then the 26-year-old laid on the third for Hemed as Brighton produced a fine performance for their first Premier League victory.

Hughton believes Gross' versatility will stand Brighton in good stead across the course of the campaign.

'He's someone who works very hard for the team,' Hughton said. 'He's got a good technical finish with both feet but he's got to get into those areas. I thought he was good value for his two goals.

'We signed him because of his strength as an all-round player. He's very adaptable in midfield - we wanted to have options off the front, a number 10 as such.

'He gives us options more advanced, or of course in a (central midfield) two. We knew he could create and probably mostly he's a hard-working player.'

Chris Hughton believes that signing Gross early in the summer helped him settle in better

Chris Hughton believes that signing Gross early in the summer helped him settle in better

West Brom boss Tony Pulis believes his Baggies suffered for the strains and stresses of the international break.

The visitors surrendered their unbeaten start to the new campaign with a below-par showing on the south coast, leaving Pulis to lament some tired bodies.

'We were only able to train together on Thursday, and it's difficult to get to that spot that you need to win Premier League games,' said Pulis.

'They looked a bit tired. Ahmed Hegazi travelled to Uganda, back to Egypt and then back home.

'You've got to be spot-on to win Premier League games, and sometimes that can make a difference.'

Gross struck either side of half time, before setting up Tomer Hemed just after the hour mark

Gross struck either side of half time, before setting up Tomer Hemed just after the hour mark

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.