It is not just Kazenga LuaLua's body that turns full circle, so too has his career.

The somersault goal celebration returned when LuaLua scored to clinch Albion's victory over Derby at The Amex on Tuesday.

And he is head-over-heels to be back under the wing of Chris Hughton.

It was Hughton who sent LuaLua out on loan to Albion in February 2010 when he was at Newcastle United.

Now they are reunited on the South Coast after the Seagulls turned to Hughton to save them.

When he was appointed on New Year's Eve, following the ill-fated reign of Sami Hyypia, Albion were outside the Championship relegation zone on goal difference.

The win which knocked Derby off the top of the table moved them nine points clear of the danger zone.

LuaLua said: "After Sami left we needed somebody who knows the league and is experienced. The gaffer has the experience for that.

"He's done well since he took the job. We have won games but there are many left this season.

"I'm sure then he will try and think about something different for next season.

"I was used to calling him Chris (at Newcastle) rather than gaffer but he is my gaffer now. He is a good manager and a good guy as well, so we're very pleased to have him here."

LuaLua was still a teenager when Hughton sent him down to join Albion. They were struggling in League One at Withdean in the early stages of Gus Poyet's reign.

The Congolese flyer, tongue firmly in cheek, said: "He probably didn't like me, that's why he sent me on loan here!

"I didn't play many games under him. At Newcastle we had a lot of players, people like Jonas Gutierrez, and Wayne Routledge was there.

"I need to play games. I didn't want to sit and play ten minutes from the bench.

"I just needed to come and play football and it was a good chance for me to sign for Brighton at that time."