Brighton are the apex B club – their next target should be a Champions League place | Jonathan Wilson

Brighton’s 5-0 win over Crystal Palace underlined their strong start and their potential to challenge for a Champions League place. The article argues that well-run clubs such as Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth need not be content with upper-mid-table finishes, particularly while many major rivals are in transition.

Brighton went 3-0 up inside 10 minutes, with Diego Gómez scoring from just inside Palace’s half, and have had 11 different league goalscorers this season. Pascal Gross has returned from Borussia Dortmund and leads the league with four assists, while young signings Luka Vušković and Chema Andrés have impressed. Brentford lost 2-1 to Liverpool after a first-half red card, while Bournemouth beat Sunderland 2-0.