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  5. 'Up there as best value-for-money signing Brighton have made'

    Scott McCarthy
    Fan writer

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    Brighton's Danny Welbeck scores his team's first goal Getty Images

    The traditional anniversary gift for five years is wood, symbolising the strength, stability and deep roots of a long-lasting and successful marriage.

    This symbolism perfectly sums up the relationship between Danny Welbeck and Brighton, which passed the five-year mark at the weekend.

    Welbeck celebrated the occasion in perfect style with a double, as the Albion saw off Newcastle United 2-1 at Amex Stadium.

    Cast your mind back to October 2020 and plenty of eyebrows were raised when Brighton signed Welbeck on a free transfer, following his release by Watford.

    Too old, too injury-prone, a panic signing after the transfer window had shut. The latter was said because Albion had left themselves in a position whereby Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly were their only two options at centre-forward.

    How many people would have dared predict Welbeck would still be a Brighton player half a decade on? Let alone the club's record Premier League goalscorer.

    He is up there with Pascal Gross as the best value-for-money signing the club have made since promotion to the top flight in 2017, and has now played more games and netted more goals for Albion than any of his other clubs.

    Football fans outside of Sussex may associate him with Manchester United, Arsenal or England more than Brighton, but it is on the south coast where his best and most consistent form has come.

    The goals Welbeck bagged against the Toon Army came from two strikes of the highest class.

    His first saw him coolly dink over Nick Pope. His second was a powerful drive with unerring accuracy, after showing quick reactions to latch onto Mats Wieffer's blocked shot.

    Plenty of clubs would pay many, many millions of pounds for a striker with the finishing ability of Welbeck. Brighton forked out nothing.

    Here is to the next five years - because it really would not be a surprise to see Welbeck still rattling in goals for the Albion approaching his 40th birthday on the 10th anniversary of his signing.

    Where does Welbeck rank in Brighton signings during the Premier League era?

    Tell us what you think here

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    Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton

  6. 'We have incredible facilities at Brighton' - Welbeck

    Brighton striker Danny Welbeck joined BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club to reflect on his career and share how he maintains his fitness as a 34-year-old playing in the Premier League.

    "I know my body," he said. "You learn your body and know what can put you in the best position.

    "We have incredible facilities at Brighton and they are on hand for you. Everyone has the opportunity to recover in the right way."

    Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

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  17. Brighton 2-1 Newcastle - the fans' verdict

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    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Newcastle.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Brighton fans

    Tony: It was a scrappy game but we defended well and fought hard for a well-deserved win. With a bit more finesse and better decision-making we could have won by more.

    Richard: It was the best performance of the season - a really hard-fought win. We seemed to want the second ball more than recent games and those fine margins made the difference.

    Hayling: Some fans have criticised Lewis Dunk this season, but he was immense - at least three superb tackles when he was left as the last man and he handled Nick Woltemede better than Jan Paul van Hecke. Just a shame we couldn't keep the clean sheet against a side who hadn't scored away from home before Saturday.

    Newcastle fans

    Sean: Fed up of poor performances at Brighton - the same every season. Toothless once again in attack. Anthony Elanga just hasn't got going. Showed much more attacking intent with Jacob Murphy's directness in the second half. Defensive solidity seems to be the base for us this season, yet both goals were poor to concede. Need a good reaction at St James' Park on Tuesday before a kinder run of league fixtures.

    Paul: A really poor performance. Misplaced passes, losing multiple 50/50s. All across the park we didn't seem ourselves and, despite a lot of effort, we just were way below the levels needed.

    John: Whatever the reason, the performance seemed adversely affected by the international break. Bruno Guimaraes missed a couple of good chances to score. Joelinton was lethargic and made mistakes so Eddie Howe removed him at half-time. Anthony Gordon had none of his England sparkle and Elanga hardly contributed. Woltemade was the exception, but when three or four other key players are off form, the Premier League is a very tough league.

  18. 'Maybe the fans don't notice Rutter's defensive work' - Welbeck

    Georginio Rutter tackles Anthony GordonGetty Images

    Danny Welbeck's double against Newcastle stole the headlines at Amex Stadium on Saturday, but the 34 year-old did not forget about the defensive contributions of fellow attacker Georginio Rutter in the 2-1 victory.

    Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about when Rutter ran back from the forward line to make a tackle, Welbeck said: "It's something that we massively appreciate as a team [about him]. Maybe it's something that the fans don't see or take notice of, because it doesn't go down as a goal or an assist.

    "Those sort of things that he does puts us in a position to go on and win games. It sets the tone for the rest of the team. He was incredible.

    "It was a tough battle against a tough side. We had to try to nullify their threat and the whole backline was very good, along with the rest of the team as a defensive unit."

    Hear more from Welbeck on BBC Sounds

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