Bissouma epitomises Brighton’s evolution

Twenty-five yards from his own goal, the ball at his feet and seemingly with the time and space to launch a Watford attack, Tom Cleverley did not see Yves Bissouma bearing down on him like a thief in the Brighton night. In an instant, the visiting captain was robbed and Neal Maupay had scored Brighton’s game-sealing second goal.

It was Bissouma’s most obviously eye-catching moment but, as he was for so much of last season, the Mali international was outstanding against Watford. He, more than anyone, epitomises Brighton under manager Graham Potter.

It has not been an easy path since he arrived in 2018. In a bumpy first year, manager Chris Hughton preferred the more prosaic Davy Propper and Dale Stephens. In Potter’s maiden season, Bissouma played fewer games still as Aaron Mooy prospered. Last term, though, nobody made more appearances for Brighton than Bissouma, who became a midfield linchpin as Potter’s nurturing bore fruit.

An enabler rather than a solo act, on Saturday Bissouma pulled all the midfield strings. He had more guile than Cleverley, that most intelligent of footballers. He was too physical for Watford strongman Peter Etebo and, finding time where others only found trouble, he sprayed passes to Pascal Gross on the right and Solly March on the left. All that is lacking is an eye for goal – just two

Premier League strikes in total – and an aerial presence. Potter lauded Brighton’s start, with two straight wins, recalling that last season they did not reach six points until November. He also claimed he was doing nothing different and Brighton’s evolution was a result of the team embarking upon a third season together.

And Potter is building that team around Bissouma – if the growing list of suitors can be rebuffed before the transfer window closes.