Many aspects of football are disappearing from the modern game. Sweet, wholesome things – like seeing local boys do well for their beloved teams on the highest levels. Thankfully, there are still such examples – even in the English Premier League.Brighton’s 18-year-old full-back Jack Hinshelwood scored at the Amex Stadium to put his team on course for an impressive 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. What a story for this young man!
Jack is the fourth generation of his family to play professional football and the third Hinshelwood with Brighton connections. His defender father Adam played for the club, and his uncle was both youth-team and first-team manager. His great-grandfather Walter was a professional footballer in England between 1947 and 1962. It’s a proud footballing family – and their youngest offspring is having a magical month with the blue-and-whites.
Jack came through the youth system as a central midfield player but has played in both full-back positions on Roberto De Zerbi’s team. He scored the winning goal at the start of December when the Seagulls defeated Brentford, and he found the net again as Brighton opened the scoring against Tottenham Hotspur on the south coast of England on Thursday night.Joao Pedro has scored 4/4 penalties in the Premier League this season. No player has more, and only Cole Palmer has as many.Clinical from the spot. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/xHZQNOZyiO— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 28, 2023 It was a special night for the hosts as they completely outplayed Ange Postecoglou’s inconsistent Spurs. Joao Pedro doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Dejan Kulusevski pulled Danny Welbeck down in the area.Postecoglou tried to inspire his players to mount a second-half comeback, but they never looked like putting De Zerbi’s team under real pressure. Instead, the Seagulls further extended the lead as substitute Pervis Estupinan beat Guglielmo Vicario with an unstoppable rocket from around 30 metres away with around 20 minutes left. There was no way back for the Londoners.🎄 Veliz navidad? Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies have just pulled two back for Spurs.They couldn’t could they?#BBCFootball #BHATOT pic.twitter.com/tHw4qhczzu— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 28, 2023 Giovani Lo Celso fouled substitute Evan Ferguson in the box and Joao Perdo stepped up again to beat Vicario from the spot.Late goals from young Argentine Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies gave us a bit of late drama, but it was already too late for Spurs on the night when a local boy shone the brightest.🏴Jack Hinshelwood (18, 2005) just scored his first goal at the Amex! 😍Been at Brighton since he was 7, was a special moment for him 🙏💙 pic.twitter.com/KCDoi9cxQu— António Mango (@AntonioMango4) December 28, 2023 During this Premier League season, Brighton has played 19 games and scored 38 goals while conceding 33, making it the team with the most goals scored. Whatever happens – games at this stadium offer a lot of entertainment – unless you’re a Tottenham fan, of course.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 19TuesdayNewcastle – Nott.Forest 1-3 (1-1)/Isak 24 pen – Wood 45+1, 53, 60/Bournemouth – Fulham 3-0 (1-0)/Kluivert 44, Solanke 62 pen, Sinisterra 90+3/Sheffield Utd – Luton 2-3 (0-1)/McBurnie 61, Ahmedhodzic 69 – Doughty 17, Robinson 77 og, Ben Slimane 81 og/Burnley – Liverpool 0-2 (0-1)/Darwin 6, Elliott 90/Man Utd – Aston Villa 3-2 (0-2)/Garnacho 60, 72, Hojlund 82 – McGinn 21, Dendoncker 26/WednesdayBrentford – Wolves 1-4 (1-3)/Wissa 16, Lemina 13, Hee-Chan 14, 28, Bellegarde 79/Chelsea – Crystal Palace 2-1 (1-1)/Mudryk 13, Madueke 89 pen – Olise 45+1/Everton – Manchester City 1-3 (1-0)/Harrison 29 – Foden 53, Alvarez 62 pen, Silva 86/ThursdayBrighton – Tottenham 4-2 (2-0)/Hinshelwood 11, Joao Pedro 23 pen, 76 pen Estupinan 63 – Veliz 81, Davies 86/Arsenal – West Ham in progress