Chris Hughton is sticking to his survival goal of 40 points for Albion.

That is the target he has set his team to guarantee a third season in the Premier League.

The Seagulls finished 15th last season with 40 points.

They are currently 11th with 14 points from ten games after three straight wins - but Hughton is staying with the 40 points aim.

“Yes, it has to be,” he said. “Even though it was 38 last season, and possibly in people’s minds that 40 target, as such, will start to dwindle down a little bit, but I still think – and I won’t change – this is our second season.

“As quick as we can have a really good period of games, it can go the other way, so yes, still it’s about that 40-point mark.”

Albion go to Everton today better off than Hughton hoped.

They have two more points than at the same stage last season, the same number of points based on corresponding fixtures, and have already faced the top four.

He said: “At this stage we would have played a couple of the top six so, having played four of them, particularly Liverpool and Man City away, I’m really happy with where we are at the moment.”