Welbeck Ends 17-year Wait To Hit Double Figures

A 17-year hold is yet complete for Danny Welbeck.

For nan first clip successful his career, nan 34-year-old striker deed double figures for Premier League goals successful a azygous play pinch his punishment successful Saturday's 2-0 triumph astatine Wolves.

Shining for Brighton successful nan twilight of his career, Welbeck's latest publication helped guarantee nan Seagulls stay firmly successful nan conflict to unafraid European shot pinch conscionable 2 games remaining.

"It is simply a bully milestone to person - and I consciousness for illustration it could person been more," said Welbeck, who scored connected his Premier League debut for Manchester United arsenic a 17-year-old successful November 2008.

"I'm looking guardant to improving. We person 2 much games near and hopefully I'll get immoderate much [goals]."

Much of nan erstwhile Manchester United, Arsenal and Watford player's profession has been disrupted by persistent wounded issues, astatine slightest anterior to his presence connected nan southbound coast.

But he has now made arsenic galore arsenic 29 appearances successful 3 consecutive Premier League seasons for nan first clip successful his career, helping him to astatine past people 10 goals successful a campaign.

He is 1 extremity distant from matching his astir productive play crossed each competitions, scoring 12 times for Manchester United successful 2011-12.

Brighton head Fabian Hurzeler said: "First of each I request to convey nan aesculapian section that Danny is connected nan pitch. Danny has ne'er had truthful galore minutes for america arsenic he has had successful this season.

"Danny is simply a typical character, an unbelievable domiciled exemplary for everyone, particularly nan younger players, some connected nan transportation and connected nan side.

"On apical of that, he is simply a awesome goalscorer. I americium really happy for him that he has this record."

The value of Welbeck's goals are clear too.

Each of nan erstwhile England international's past 9 goals successful nan title person either put his broadside up (seven) aliases drawn them level (two).

They are captious interventions which person helped Brighton compete successful nan title for a lucrative European place, aft nan nine had its first ever sensation of shot connected that shape successful past season's Europa League.

More of nan aforesaid will beryllium required successful Brighton's last 2 games, against champions Liverpool and Europa League finalists Tottenham.

But moreover beyond that, Hurzeler hopes that Welbeck, who will move 35 successful November, will still proceed to present astatine nan apical level.

"I dream [he tin transportation on], but I can't spot into to nan future, truthful we will person to hold and see," Hurzeler said.

"He has to proceed really he behaves astatine nan moment. He is very master and I americium convinced that he tin transportation connected for a agelong time."

As Welbeck achieved a milestone successful his 17th season, location was an affectional first for 1 of his team-mates.

German 20-year-old Brajan Gruda scored his first extremity for nan nine since joining successful a £25m woody from Bundesliga broadside Mainz past August.

Coming connected arsenic a 59th-minute substitute for his 23rd quality successful each competitions, nan midfielder sank to nan crushed and covered his look arsenic his team-mates gathered to observe pinch him.

"It is ever difficult erstwhile a German makes a compliment to a German," Hurzeler joked.

"But I had to springiness him 1 because he's sacrificed a batch and he has suffered a lot.

"He's training difficult and coming he made himself a large presence. We are each happy for him."

Gruda, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "It was a difficult play for maine and I'm really happy to people my first goal. I'm happy nan guys travel to maine and celebrated pinch me.

"I deliberation you tin spot from nan extremity really galore feelings are - it intends a batch to me."