A look at Pascal Gross' Brighton career as he becomes record PL scorer

That is Albion’s Premier League stalwart Pascal Gross who surpassed Glenn Murray and Neal Maupay to become the club’s top Premier League goal scorer with 27.

The 32-year-old rifled the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box with ten minutes remaining to give Brighton a brief glimmer of hope.

And while it was not to be against the Hammers, it served as a reminder of the service Albion’s German midfielder has provided in almost 200 Premier League games for the club.

He is arguably Brighton’s best ever signing in terms of value for money, providing 35 assists in that time too.

Brighton bought him in from FC Ingolstadt for a mere £3 million in May 2017.

In that Bundesliga relegation season with the German club, Gross had created more chances than any other player in the league with 95.

It took a few games for Albion to find their feet in the top flight and it was the new recruit who shone brightest.

Against West Brom, who had finished tenth the season before, Gross scored with a somewhat fortunate deflected goal just before half time, Albion’s first ever in the Premier League.

Gross celebrates against West Brom as he secures Albion's first Premier League win in September 2017

And just three minutes into the second half, he doubled the lead with a powerful finish from outside the box.

Gross capped off the performance with an assist for Tomer Hemed. It would also be safe to assume that he treated fans to his trademark “Gross turn” in this match, although we have seen those so often in his six years with the Albion.

He was nominated for Premier League player of the month for September 2017.

Albion’s number 13 recorded another historic goal for the club in May of that season with a header in a historic 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

The ball crossed the line by millimetres but was confirmed by goal line technology, securing the club’s safety.

In a season which saw him record seven goals and eight assists, Gross won player of the season with ease.

While Gross is much-loved by the Albion faithful, he has faced criticism at times. Perhaps for his lack of mobility as a midfielder.

But he makes up for this with his brilliant work rate which sees him cover more distance per match than most players.

The 2018/19 season was largely one to forget for Brighton but Gross memorably scored a crucial equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle to secure Albion a vital point with two games remaining. Albion stayed up by two points that season.

Gross celebrates his equaliser against Newcastle United in the 18/19 season

Gross played an important but arguably more reserved role under Graham Potter the next three seasons, scoring seven goals.

He assisted Adam Webster in Brighton’s 3-2 win over Manchester City in the 2020/21 season which was witnessed by a handful of fans after the first Covid lockdown.

Over the years he has played as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder and full back, providing vital versatility to the Albion.

Pascal's 'Gross turn' in action against West Ham on Saturday (Image: PA)

Towards the end of the 2021/22 season, it felt like something good was heading Brighton’s way.

Albion destroyed Manchester United 4-0 and Gross scored with a delightful feint in the box to evade Varane before he calmly finished past De Gea in goal. It summarised the cool, composed player that Brighton fans have loved for six seasons.

Just a few months later, he would continue to haunt the Red Devils by scoring a brace at Old Trafford to give Albion a 2-1 win, their first ever at the stadium.

Last season was his best yet as a Brighton player, scoring nine goals and recording eight assists.

Gross scores a delightful half volley against Wolves in April (Image: PA)

He scored one of his finest Albion goals with a delightful half-volley against Wolves in Brighton’s 6-0 demolition at the end of April. It’s easy to forget he scored another goal before that.

Gross is ten goals behind Albion’s top flight top goal scorer the late Michael Robinson who scored 37 goals in 133 top flight appearances for the Seagulls in the 1980s.

It is fair to say, Pascal Gross is the ultimate big game player for Brighton and is almost certain to provide more of those moments as Albion embark on their Europa League adventure.