The figures that show why Tomer Hemed is still a key man for Brighton and Hove Albion

He doesn’t quite see it like that. He sees it as them helping him.

Either way, the Israeli star will not lack well-wishers if he starts tomorrow versus the club against whom he scored the winning goal back in mid-September.

Hemed’s late penalty secured a 1-0 success at Burton Albion, the Seagulls’ first win on the road this campaign.

He started that game but such status has been rare this season.

No longer has he been the main man in attack this term with Glenn Murray enjoying a successful return to the stripes.

But, after going ten months without a league goal from open play, he has suddenly hit three in three.

The way Hemed has responded when needed, despite losing his prime billing, has not gone unnoticed.

He remains a big player in the camp – and a leading figure for the Jewish community around the city he has called home for a year-and-a-half.

Hemed was asked by the city’s Jewish community to light the first candle of Hanukkah in a public ceremony.

He said: “For me it’s a great feeling to be involved with the Jewish community.

“There is a big Jewish community here in Brighton.

“I go to the synagogue every Friday. It was a big honour that the rabbi of this community called me to light the first candle of Hanukkah. It was an emotional moment for me.

Tomer Hemed scores the winner at Burton

“Every time I see them, they are talking about the team and they are all very excited.

“Of course when any fan, any kid – not just from the Jewish community – comes to me and sees me in the street and asks for a photo or says nice words, it is an amazing feeling.

“For me to be away from Israel and get a lot off love is very important. I hope we give them more and more good moments.”

Albion’s narrow spread of marksmen means those who can hit the target have to do their bit.

Solly March, at Brentford, was their tenth player to score in the league this season. Only Birmingham, with nine, have fewer while Norwich have most with 15.

That is the one extreme of their goalscoring record.

The other is that Hemed’s late header at Brentford makes them the only team to now have three players with seven goals or more.

Other teams have more prolific scorers than Murray (15), Anthony Knockaert (ten) and Hemed.

Solly March becomes Albion's tenth goalscorer in the league this season. Only Birmingham have fewer

But only Blackburn, with 11-goal Danny Graham and ten-goal Sam Gallagher, can match the Seagulls in having two players already into double digits in the league. And no other club have got three on seven or more.

Throw in Sam Baldock’s six goals in 17 starts and Albion have a quartet of players who know where the net is.

Nigel Clough is aware of that as he challenges his side to become only the second away team since March last year to keep a league clean sheet at the Amex.

Clough adds in Jamie Murphy, a player on whom he had a big influence at Sheffield United.

“He can do something,” the Burton manager replied when asked of the threat of Knockaert.

“There are so many games this season where they have been playing well and then he just provided that spark, that something special to get them the goal.

“Murray always gets goals, we know Jamie Murphy well and what an excellent player he is.

“They are not just relying on one. There are four or five within the squad who can just give them that spark.”

Hemed has impressed of late, turning to score a much-needed winner at home to Cardiff as well as his point saver at Brentford and a goal at Huddersfield.

Albion’s lead of five points over third place equals the points they might easily have dropped losing to Sheffield Wednesday and drawing 0-0 with Cardiff in their last two home games.

All contributions are key at the moment.