One player’s name boomed out around the OPAP Arena as post-match interviews were concluded on Thursday night.

And it was not one you would have expected at the start of the season – or even a week ago.

The Albion fans kept in their corner were singing the praises of Jack Hinshelwood.

The teen from Selsey was persuaded to turn around, take a few steps towards them and wave – albeit from a distance.

He had just played an out-of-position part in a famous night for the club he joined in the under-nines.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi contrasted the Sussex boy with Carlos Baleba, a summer signing from Lille, when asked about the younger players by The Argus at his press conference.

De Zerbi said: “Baleba is a very important potential player.

“He can become a great player and important for a big European team but he has to improve.

“He is in a different country with a different language.

“He didn’t work in pre-season and for him the first period in Brighton has been very difficult.

“Jack is a different player. He is English, he speaks English.

“He is at home and it is different.

“But, anyway, Jack is an important player.

“He is older than his age. He played with incredible character, with incredible personality.

“He will become a very important player as well.

“He is different. He is like Lewis Dunk, Pascal Gross, Lallana.

“He has the same spirit, the same mentality.

“I am sure he can become important for Brighton but important for the Premier League.”

After a brief debut right at the end of last season, Hinshelwood featured on the summer trip to the USA.

He was handed a first Premier League start in tough circumstances at Villa Park.

Albion skipper Lewis Dunk said: “Jack Hinshelwood tonight was incredible.

“He has had three games now and probably the three toughest games we have had all year.

“Villa away, we let him down there.

“Forest, I got sent-off stupidly and it was backs against the wall and he has dug in.

“He has come in at left-back and put in an outstanding performance again tonight.

“He played out of position but it just epitomises the player he is and the future he has got ahead of him.”