Gus Poyet today revealed his players never stopped believing during their goalless start to the season.

The Seagulls netted for the first time since April as they routed Barnsley 5-1 at The Amex.

Ashley Barnes (2), Craig Mackail-Smith (2) and Wayne Bridge were on target.

Poyet told reporters: “What was important was that the players were convinced it was a matter of time.

“That is what they were saying.

“When the players are convinced on the pitch, it doesn’t matter how much we talk in here.

“It’s credit to them that they go out there saying ‘We’re going to score today’.”

Albion were two up in 14 minutes but Poyet felt the key moment came when Mackail-Smith was credited with the third, just two minutes after Barnsley had got back to 2-1.

He added: “When the game started everything looked better because of the early goal but for me the key was the third.

“We gave the opposition the chance to come back into the game and we scored straight away. That was so important.

“I think unfortunately Barnsley paid the price because of what happened to us in the previous two games.

“They were just the unlucky team to play us today.”

Barnsley boss Keith Hill admitted his injury-ravaged side did not perform.

He said: “It could have been 8-1, 9-1, 10-1 and that probably as much down to us and the way we didn’t perform as it was to the opposition, who were excellent.”

Meanwhile former Liverpool youth and reserves defender Matty McGiveron has tonight revealed he has been offered a contract by the Seagulls.

McGiveron played in the recent 2-2 friendly draw at Crawley and is likely to be involved in the development squad.