Brighton proved to be too strong for newly promoted Luton Town, following a 4-1 win in their opening game of the season, today, August 12.
Luton who were making their first appearance in the top division for 31 years, spent much of the game on the back foot, visibly tiring near the end and being punished by their hosts.
James Milner, Mahmoud Dahoud and Pedro were all named in the Brighton XI for their debuts, while Luton had six summer signings Thomas Kaminski, Mads Andersen, Issa Kabore, Tahith Chong, Ryan Giles and Marvelous Nakamba in their starting side at the Amex.
Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra scored on their debut, as Brighton shrugged off Moises Caicedo’s ongoing transfer saga to grab the win.
Solly March rose above three Luton defenders to expertly head home Kaoru Mitoma’s cross in the 36th minute of a game to give the home side the lead.
Joao Pedro, signed from Watford in the pre-season, then doubled the lead from the spot in the 71st minute after winning what looked like a soft penalty in a challenge with Luton captain Tom Lockyer.
Carlton Morris stepped up to score Luton’s first ever Premier League goal from after they were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute.
21-year-old Ivorian Adingra sealed the Seagulls’ win by slotting home after a bad mistake from Luton’s Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.
Eighteen-year-old Ireland international Evan Ferguson then tapped in Pervis Estupinan’s cross in stoppage time to cap an impressive start to the campaign for the home side.
Brighton’s offseason has been dominated by speculation about Caicedo, with the club this week accepting what would be a record fee for a transfer in Britain of around 110 million pounds ($140 million) from Liverpool for the star midfielder. However, the deal is yet to be completed, with reports saying Caicedo is intent on joining Chelsea instead.