Lewis Dunk is leading Albion into a bold new era on the pitch.

So it was perhaps revealing to get another perspective on the Seagulls’ ball-playing captain after he underpinned this latest home win.

Dunk was superb again at the back to help Albion to a fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

True, Teemu Pukki outwitted him comprehensively with some lovely skill early to spark the attack which led to Marco Stiepermann curling against the crossbar.

But after that the hosts were rock solid with their No.5 doing a lot to get moves going with his distribution.

Albion’s summer of change saw Dunk succeed Bruno as skipper and Graham Potter says he is maturing in that role.

What was interesting, and perhaps told us a little about the wider perception of Dunk, was a question from a leading national reporter down below the West Stand after the points had been secured.

Not the questions about his England chances or whether he nearly left during the summer (spoiler alert: he didn’t).

It was the one about whether Dunk’s technical ability on the ball tends to be overlooked which caught the ear.

It was interesting because the perspective from closer to home has always been of Dunk as a ball-playing defender.

Almost that he played a bit too much at times back in his younger days.

A head-it-and-kick-it centre-half? Yes, when he has to be. But those kicks will often be measured passes.

That is how Potter sees it. He reckons Dunk is comfortable in a back four or anywhere in a three and could even operate as a holding midfielder.

He made a small but significant tweak when Shane Duffy went on as sub, using Dunk to the Irishman’s right for the first time.

The thinking there was that Dunk could step in to break things up with Duffy close to Pukki.

As much a case of free man and marker as left and right-sided centre-backs.

You don’t captain a Potter team if you are not adaptable to new methods and not at ease on the ball.

So it was an interesting question and an emphatic answer.

“Most people will probably see his quality,” Potter replied.

“He has got a range of pass, plays through the lines, switches play, plays it fast.

“He has a good understanding of when to play.

“As a defender, he defends his box as well.

“You can talk about passing all you want but if you can’t defend it’s not so good. Dunky can do all those.

“He is developing and maturing as a guy and as a captain.

“He has grown into that role.

“I think he is just getting better and better.”

The first anniversary of Dunk’s sole England cap is fast approaching.

Questions about his chances of a return will keep being asked if he plays like this.

Perhaps even before the next fixture, against Harry Maguire and Manchester United.

Potter said: “I’ve no idea about Gareth Southgate’s position, of course.

“For us, we are delighted with him. Today, you saw that quality.

“He can defend the box as well as anybody but his composure to bring things out of the sky and to start an attack off again is at a really high level.

“That just keeps pressure on the opposition.

“Most defenders, including myself, would put those into the stands.

“But he can take them down and start an attack.

“He is really important for how we want to play.

“I thought he led the team really well.”

Albion did a good job ensuring Pukki was never a threat.

Potter said: “He is part of an attacking unit at Norwich so you have to deal with the whole thing.

“The two wide men come into the pitch, the ten is very fluid, they push the full-backs on to give them width and everybody else is very central.

“They are really flexible and have numbers around your defensive structure.

“You have to defend against Norwich as a team.

“You could see the threat at times and there is always the feeling that one little moment, one little action, they can create a chance.

“But overall I think we defended quite well and a clean sheet gives you a chance to win.”

The old firm of Dunk and Duffy could be back in unison at Old Trafford and beyond, thought not quite as before of course.

Duffy took his chance on as sub against the Canaries – and then he scored a goal to rubber-stamp his and the team’s display.

Potter was pleased to see the Irishman prod a late chance past Tim Krul but that was not why he was impressed.

Asked how he had managed to keep the player of the year happy in recent weeks, Potter replied: “Well, he’s not happy!

“He wants to play but I wouldn’t expect anything else.

“He is a competitor but he is also a team player.

“He knows his responsibility for his team-mates and his group and he has been brilliant in that regard.

“Of course he is frustrated but I’m just pleased for him that he has an opportunity today.

“Apart from his goal, I thought he contributed really well to a defensive performance and organisation and structure. The icing on the cake is the goal.

“That is how it is. Football can change quickly.”