“Don’t forget about Brighton. They have got games in hand and have still got to play Newcastle.”

The words not of us but of BBC 5Live commentator Ian Dennis during the closing stages of Arsenal’s win at St James’s Park yesterday.

With Liverpool constantly grinding out wins while not being brilliant, it still feels like the Champions League is a long shot at best for Albion.

That despite defeats for both Toon and Manchester United yesterday.

But the Seagulls will ride this wave all the time they can – and will hope it continues when Everton visit the Amex today.

The self-imposed underlying target – let’s remind ourselves – is to become an established top-ten Premier League club.

Within that, focus has switched this season to Europe and/or a trophy.

And now solely to Europe after cruel FA Cup events at Wembley.

Since back-to-back home wins, they have seen Aston Villa go down to the Wolves side they destroyed 6-0.

Tottenham’s significant wobble ended with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace to take them back above the Seagulls.

 

   

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But Brentford appear to have gone and can now crown a fine season by being mid-table kings of West London.

There are calculations as to how many points Albion will need to secure seventh spot or better but those equations change and can depend on where those points come.

For Roberto De Zerbi, the key will be to ensure his side keep doing what they have managed to do despite losing several players and cope with an intense schedule.

The head coach urged his in-form players to remain focused on executing his possession-based gameplan and not become preoccupied by results or the league table.

“It will be a very tough, tough game because they are a strong team,” the Italian said of the Toffees.

“But we want to achieve our target and I think it’s clear for everybody we are fighting against big teams – Tottenham, Aston Villa, Liverpool – for Europe.

“And at the moment, I think we are deserving to reach the best position.

“We have to think not of the results, we have to be focused only on our style and quality of play.

“We have to be focused only on to enjoy and to show our quality because we are not used to playing for this target.”