Evan Ferguson grabbed his first ever hat-trick in the Premier League on Saturday to help Brighton to a 3-1 win over Newcastle United at the Amex Stadium.
The Irishman became just the fourth player aged 18 or younger to score three goals in a single game following a stunning performance in front of the home crowd.
The Seagulls bounced back from last weekend’s disappointing defeat to West Ham United to secure their third win of the season.
“We needed to bounce back we came out flying this week and we got that good luck in the end,” Ferguson told Sky Sports after the final whistle.
The teenager capitalised on a mistake from Nick Pope for his opening strike after the goalkeeper spilled Billy Gilmour’s long range effort. “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 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.”
When asked what it is like to be playing and scoring in the Premier League at 18-years-old, he responded: “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.”
With Erling Haaland and Son Heung-min also scoring three times on Saturday, it is only the third time in Premier League history three players have gotten a hat-trick on the same matchday.
