DAN'S A GOAL MODEL

'Father figure' Welbeck has Seagulls' fledglings soaring towards European place

- BY GRAHAM THOMAS

DANNY WELBECK has been hailed as daddy Seagull who can guide Brighton's fledglings back to another European migration.

Welbeck is only 34, which is hardly an ancient bald eagle.

But veteran team-mate James Milner has been out injured since August, so the wise-old-bird role on the south coast has fallen to Welbeck.

The striker has responded by hitting a double-figure goal tally in the Premier League for the first time in 17 years of trying, as well as being a father figure to the young gulls.

"Danny is a big influence," said Mats Wieffer, the 25-year-old Brighton defender sent sprawling by Matheus Cunha for the penalty, which Welbeck tucked away for his 10th goal of the season.

"We don't really have a lot of experienced players. We have a lot of young guys, but he knows what it is to play here in the Premier League.

"He has played his whole life in the Premier League."