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Brighton 3 West Brom 1

Brighton 3 West Brom 1: MATCH HIGHLIGHTS – Pascal Gross double gets party started before Tomer Hemed completes rout before James Morrison grabs consolation

YOU wait 34 years for a goal in the top flight - and then three come along at once, as Brighton finally opened their Premier League scoring account.

After firing blanks against Manchester City, Leicester and Watford, midfielder Pascal Gross got them off the mark for the season.

 Pascal Gross scored a double as Brighton battered West Brom
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Pascal Gross scored a double as Brighton battered West BromCredit: Reuters
 Chris Hughton's Brighton team destroyed West Brom at the Amex
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Chris Hughton's Brighton team destroyed West Brom at the AmexCredit: Reuters

The German, who arrived in a low-key £3million transfer from Ingolstadt last month, fired home either side of half time to put the Seagulls in control.

He then turned provider as he crossed for Tomer Hemed to head home as West Brom imploded.

This match was supposed to be a chance for West Brom's Grzegorz Krychowiak to show off his skills.

The Poland international midfielder, who cost PSG £30million, is on loan with the Baggies but he was completely outclassed by Gross.

The German slotted home just before halftime after West Brom failed to clear Solly March's cross from the left.

And he then doubled the home side's advantage two minutes after the restart when he raced on to a through ball from Hemed and slotted past Ben Foster.

 Pascal Gross scored on either side of the half-time break
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Pascal Gross scored on either side of the half-time breakCredit: Rex Features
 Brighton deserved their first top-flight win in 34 years
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Brighton deserved their first top-flight win in 34 yearsCredit: Reuters

Gross then crossed for Hemed who headed past the hapless Foster at the near post on 63 minutes.

It was no less than Brighton deserved after Shane Duffy also went close to adding his name to the scoresheet.

West Brom were woeful and unrecognisable from the side that had started the season so well.

But they were revived after boss Tony Pulis introduced substitutes James Morrison, Oliver Burke and debutant Kieran Gibbs.

And all three combined as Morrison pulled a goal back for the Baggies with 12 minutes to go.

 Solly March crossed and Pascal Gross swept the ball home
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Solly March crossed and Pascal Gross swept the ball homeCredit: Reuters
 Brighton also kept West Brom out after Pascal Gross hit his brace
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Brighton also kept West Brom out after Pascal Gross hit his braceCredit: Rex Features

INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared

Match Stats

INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS– CLICK on a player’s number below to see their stats

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FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

  • Millions of pounds were spent in the transfer window with changes all over the Premier League but Brighton stuck with the same side that played against Watford and it paid off.
  • Before Saturday, Brighton’s last top-flight goal came in 1983 when Gordon Smith bagged in a 2-1 defeat at Norwich on May 14.
 Ben Foster could do nothing about Pascal Gross' goal
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Ben Foster could do nothing about Pascal Gross' goalCredit: Rex Features
 West Brom defender Jonny Evans might be wishing he had accepted Man City move
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West Brom defender Jonny Evans might be wishing he had accepted Man City moveCredit: Getty Images - Getty
  • Seagulls chairman Tony Bloom said his club was disappointed to miss out on Tottenham's Vincent Janssen on deadline day – maybe he hasn’t seen him play?
  • West Brom midfielder Gareth Barry was playing against his 45th Premier League opponent with his trip to Brighton – it was not a happy one.
  • Pascal Gross was a snip at just £3m from Ingolstadt - it makes the £23m Man City offered for Jonny Evans look crazy.
  • Kieran Gibbs was shipped out of Arsenal to finally play regular first-team football - he might want a return to the Gunners reserves after this West Brom debut.

SOCIAL SAYS

 Pascal Gross fell to the floor as he stroked home the opener
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Pascal Gross fell to the floor as he stroked home the openerCredit: Rex Features
 The West Brom defence stood still as midfielder Pascal Gross finished
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The West Brom defence stood still as midfielder Pascal Gross finishedCredit: Reuters

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WHAT THEY SAID

Chris Hughton said: “We knew what we wanted in the game plan. The want to score goals and win the game was there.”

On Pascal Gross’ goals, the winning boss added: “It's something we've been working with him. He's been working hard and when he gets in those areas he shoots more."

Pascal Gross said: "We are very happy today and it is a special day for me. I try and help the team with my quality and It was a team performance.”

 Brighton will be bouncing after Pascal Gross started the party
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Brighton will be bouncing after Pascal Gross started the partyCredit: PA:Press Association
 Pascal Gross grabbed his second after the break
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Pascal Gross grabbed his second after the breakCredit: PA:Press Association

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

Brighton: Ryan 7; Bruno 6, Duffy 8, Dunk 7, Suttner 6; Knockaert 7, Propper 7, Stephens 6, March 7; Gross 9; Hemed 8.

Subs: Murray 5, Rosenior 6

West Brom: Foster 5; Dawson 7, Hegazi 6, Evans 6, Nyom 6; Krychowiak 6, Barry 6, Livermore 5; Phillips 5, Rondon 6, Rodriguez 6.

Subs: Morrison 7, Burke 6, Gibbs 6,

 A late goal from Baggies midfielder James Morrison did not spark a revival
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A late goal from Baggies midfielder James Morrison did not spark a revivalCredit: Reuters
 James Morrison did pull one back for West Brom
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James Morrison did pull one back for West BromCredit: Reuters

The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.

Take a look at the most profitable transfers of ALL time.

And here are the Premier League players whose wages made them the most expensive per minute played.

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