Summer Derby County target Tomer Hemed proves Premier League quality in Brighton win

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Brighton were reportedly considering selling Tomer Hemed with Derby County keen – but now they will be glad they hadn’t.

Brighton’s first top-flight win in 34 years was worth the wait, even if Seagulls’ supporters would have rather it had come a little earlier in the season. At the fourth attempt, the newly promoted club got three points on the board with a deserved 3-1 win against a below-par West Brom at The Amex.

And while Pascal Gross dominated the headlines by scoring Brighton’s first two Premier League goals against The Baggies, the loudest cheer was saved for Tomer Hemed’s clever header as he secured a victory which suggested that Chris Hughton’s side do indeed have the mettle for top flight football.

Hemed in particular stood out in a valiant forward display, leading the line terrifically against a side who had conceded just one goal in their first three games in 2017/18. Suddenly, those who questioned whether the 30-year-old could make the grade in the Premier League are being served up a hearty slice of humble pie.

Late-bloomer

The Sun reported in late August that Hughton was considering cashing in on Hemed with his contract expiring in the summer. And with Brighton reinforcing their attack during the transfer window with the club record signing of Brugge forward Jose Izquierdo, fans might have been wondering whether Hemed would still have a place in the side.

This certainly seemed to have encouraged Derby County to make a move, The Sun claiming that they were battling Leeds United and Reading to bring the Israeli international to Pride Park.

There’s no doubt that Hemed would have been a fine addition for a Derby side who scored fewer goals than any other team in the top half of the Championship last season. Hemed scored 30 goals in two seasons in England’s second tier with Brighton and has ten assists to his name to boot and would have given The Rams added presence and experience in attack.

However, Hemed has taken one giant step towards proving that he can succeed in the Premier League – and a summer move to Derby would have taken him back to square one.