They couldn't, could they?

That's the question football supporters up and down the country are asking themselves as Brighton continue to soar up the Premier League table.

The Seagulls sit third and are making a strong case to become the Premier League's most unlikely title challengers since Leicester City, priced at 5,000-1 by bookmakers, achieved the unthinkable in May 2016.

Brighton's steady rise since returning to the top flight in 2017 means any potential title triumph would come as less of a shock than the feat of Claudio Ranieri's fantastic Foxes.

Saturday's victory at Manchester City followed a 3-0 win over Arsenal in September.

These are results that will only strengthen the belief that something special - whether a first Premier League title or Champions League qualification - could be achieved this season.

Asked by Sky Sports whether his side could challenge for the title, Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was keen to keep expectations in check.

"We are on game nine, so not really," he said. "We are just focusing every day on what's ahead of us and the job we have. We will continue to do that and see where it leaves us at the end of the season.

"We are happy with the way we are playing – not just the results but the way we are playing, too.

"We have to continue to develop that style and ruthlessness and we can do great things."