Fantastic Ferguson bags first Premier League hat-trick
Evan Ferguson brought his season's tally to four Premier League goals with a stunning hat-trick against Newcastle United in the Amex this evening.
The Bettystown teenager opened his season's account with the fourth goal in Brighton's 4-1 win over Luton Town in the opening game of the new Premier League campaign.
He was a substitute again in the 4-1 away win over Wolves, but didn't get on the scoresheet when he made an appearance.
Ferguson's first start of the season ended in a surprise 1-3 loss at home to West Ham, but this evening the Meath man hit his first Premier League hat-trick with a fantastic treble against a highly rated Newcastle side.
Today's treble was Ferguson's 12th goal in 10 Premier League starts.
"It is good (result), bad result last week (loss against West Ham) and we needed to bounce back, we came out flying this week and we got that good luck in the end," said Ferguson.
On his opening goal: "I didn't know if I was going to be offside or not, you have just got to try finish it.
"I think it is hard when you're in training to position yourself sometimes you have got to try sniff it out.
"It is one of them you have got to be ready for it at all times, first-half I could have turned and drove a bit more so first one I got I tried to run at them and take a shot."
On playing and scoring in the Premier League at 18-years-old: "It is fresh so it is hard to take in as a kid you want to score as many goals in the Premier League, so when you score a hat-trick it is a good day."
Ferguson curled home a superb second from range to add to a simple first-half finish before completing his treble with the aid of a hefty deflection off Fabian Schar.
The teenager was replaced in the 81st minute by James Milner as Brighton moved into the top four just three points behind leaders Man City who hammered Fulham 5-1.
Brighton have now scored in each of their last 20 Premier League games (45 goals) which is the longest ongoing run in the competition.
Ferguson is only the fourth player to score a Premier League hat-trick aged 18 or younger, after the late Chris Bart Williams, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen who achieved the feat four times.