Brighton & Hove Albion

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Fabian Hurzeler says he does not think about the elevated status that comes with being a head coach in the Premier League as he just wants to continue to live a normal life.

The 32-year-old was spotted while at home for a days in the international break by a Brighton supporter, who went on to chat to him about this weekend's upcoming FA Cup quarter-final.

In Friday's media conference, Hurzeler was asked about whether his life has changed since moving to Brighton from Bundesliga II side St Pauli because of the prominence of English football worldwide.

"I don't think about things like that as it is part of the business and you have to accept it," replied Hurzeler. "My life doesn't change because I want to stay as the same Fabian I have always been.

"I always want to be that guy who is available for my players, who is the biggest supporter of my players, embraces challenges and works hard for the club so that they can be successful.

"That is how I want to be seen. I am not thinking about whether I am being recognised.

"I don't think I can't do that or go there because I just want to live my life. I am obsessed with football and that is why I try to focus on these things."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 17:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Matt O'Riley are expected to be available but Tariq Lamptey "will be out for longer".

• He said "it is so far so good" in terms of international players returning with no issues so Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro should be able to start Saturday's game.

• On feeling the importance of the game: "Even when I spent some time in my home town, a Brighton fan called my name and he said he was really looking forward to watch the game. So you feel it, but it is important that you don't make it artificially big."

• More on dealing with quarter-final pressure: "It is an important game like all of the other games in which we have to go to our limits. That is what we have to do again tomorrow. We all know it is a big opportunity and chance."

• He said the players who did not go on international duty had a few days off "and then came back with a lot of energy and full of spirit to continue this [seven game unbeaten] run".

• On The FA Cup seemingly being more open this season: "The clubs who are in it remain in it for a reason and deserve to be there. I wouldn't say that just because the bigger teams are out, as it is always an opportunity to win if you are in."

• He said "being authentic and creating togetherness" is what he came in to do and "trusting that process" means you might have the opportunity to win something. Hurzeler added: "It is not about me or trying to build a legacy, it's about achieving something as a team."

• On opponents Nottingham Forest: "We only have to look at the table. If a team is that long at the top of the table then they are there for a reason. They are a top team with a lot of individual quality. It is an opportunity to prove how far we are in our development and we will try to make the next step."

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Brighton?

Come back to this page at 17:00 GMT for the answer

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Premier League clubs have agreed the dates for the summer transfer window.

The window will open early, between Sunday 1 June and Tuesday 10 June, due to an exceptional registration period relating to the Fifa Club World Cup.

It will then reopen on Monday 16 June and close on Monday 1 September.

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Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has been nominated for March's Premier League Player of the Month.

In a month that has seen Fabian Hurzeler's side continue their recent fine form by beating Fulham in a late win at Amex Stadium and secure a draw against defending champions Manchester City, Van Hecke has played a key part.

The 24-year-old got Brighton's comeback win against Fulham underway with a powerful header, before producing a commanding display away to City to take a valuable point in their race for European football.

The Seagulls will be hoping Van Hecke's fine form continues as they head into the final weeks of the season looking to secure silverware in the FA Cup and a finishing spot that would take fans on another European adventure.

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Earlier this week, BBC Sport asked its fan writers to detail a player who really needs to step up to the plate as the season closes out. As you'll see a little further down this page, Brighton fan Scott picked Joao Pedro, stating disciplinary issues need to be controlled and that "there have been games this season that have bypassed him".

My take is his manager has a trust in him.

He is a really good player and I think a lot of us forget how young he is -relatively speaking - because we have seen him play in England for a good few years now.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has Pedro, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck at his disposal but it is Pedro that can link the other two in the best way.

I get that fans will want more consistency from him and there are certainly things that he can refine in his game, but ultimately Hurzeler trusts him.

To be a Brazil international is a huge credit to him, but what does that actually mean? I can think of a couple Brazilian forwards who have also been historically criticised for their output based on views of what they are expected to be like.

Pedro has an edge to him. Whether he goes down too easily or simulates, I am not sure because in reality, it is all about how a referee perceives things and what the outcome is.

He is on eight goals so far this season, so if he scores a couple more before the end of the season then he could have his most successful season in English football in terms of stats. I think he is on track to do that.

Brighton are also strong contenders to win the FA Cup and qualify for Europe again. He will be one of the reasons they achieve one of those, if not both, if he continues to be a driving force in attack and taking it to the opposition.

As we saw with Newcastle recently, for a lot of fans these are once in a lifetime situations and they shouldn't be taken for granted.

You want to see success and good attacking talent because that brings excitement for the future. That is what I think Pedro can represent.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

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This is the first FA Cup meeting between Brighton and Nottingham Forest. Forest have progressed from both previous cup ties against the Seagulls - 3-1 in the 1977-78 League Cup quarter-finals, and 3-0 on aggregate in the 1986-87 League Cup second round.

Brighton have progressed from their past two FA Cup quarter-finals, beating Millwall on penalties in 2018-19 and thrashing Grimsby Town 5-0 in 2022-23.

Forest have lost their past three FA Cup quarter-final ties, all by a 1-0 scoreline. They most recently reached the semi-finals of the competition in 1990-91, ultimately reaching the final and losing to Tottenham.

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Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest is Brighton's chance to reach a third Wembley semi-final in six seasons after reaching the final four in 2019 and 2023 campaigns.

The Athletic's Brighton reporter Andy Naylor joined BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast to discuss the side's chances of winning the competition.

"To win the first major trophy in the club's history would be quite something," he said. "Only one step from Wembley and the semi-finals now, so why not?"

The Seagulls lost both their previous visits, 1-0 to Manchester City in 2019 before being knocked out on penalties by Manchester United in 2023. Given how the FA Cup has unfolded this season, Naylor sees a real opportunity for Fabian Hurzeler's side to get silverware.

"The competition is fascinating this season - it is nice to see it not being dominated by those big clubs," he said.

"You still have Manchester City in the competition, but they have a tough tie away at Bournemouth. You've got Crystal Palace v Fulham as a quarter-final - how do you call that? You'd probably fancy Aston Villa to get through at Preston North End, but that won't be an easy tie either.

"It really is wide open."

Listen to the full episode of Albion Unlimited on BBC Sounds

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Looking a little further ahead in England, at least this weekend gives some players a little break. The Premier League takes a rest while the FA Cup quarter-finals top the bill and rarely has there been a more unusual cast list.

Bournemouth, Preston North End, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Brighton are not regulars in FA Cup finals, so it is a great chance for glory.

Not since Forest in 1959 have any of the above won the trophy.‌

Many of the big dogs have gone out already - not because they didn't care, but because they simply weren't good enough.

The FA Cup seems to have its sparkle back and, with a bit of luck, it might even have the first magical fairytale ending we have seen since Wigan in 2013.

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Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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With Brighton on a sequence of seven Premier League games unbeaten, including six successive wins, asking which player needs to do more is akin to asking whether I would rather give up eating sausages or drinking red wine. Impossible to answer.

Lewis Dunk sprung to mind. The Albion captain has been well below his best in 2024-25, and this current fantastic run of form coincides with his absence because of a rib injury.

When Dunk might return is clouded in mystery. Could be against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Saturday. Might not be until May. Either way, it seems harsh to tell a bloke who has spent seven weeks and counting in the treatment room that he needs to do more.

I have, therefore, gone for Joao Pedro. When Pedro is in the right mood, he is a fantastic footballer. You don't lead the line for Brazil wearing the number nine shirt if you aren't.

But there have been games this season that have bypassed him, in which his most noteworthy contribution has been to wave at the Amex crowd, demanding more support from the terraces (a subject previously covered on this page).

There are other aspects of Pedro's game which have come close to letting the Albion down. He was lucky to escape a red card against Brentford in December when swinging an elbow in frustration at an opponent.

Against Manchester City last time out, Pedro might have picked up a second yellow for simulation. He does like to roll around on the floor, although his acting skills are unlikely to bother Steve McFadden in terms of competition for a National Television Award this year.

Pedro is good enough to be one of the next big money departures from Brighton to a 'big six' club. If he plays as well as he can over the remainder of the campaign, it could happen as soon as this summer.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Brighton have signed 18-year-old winger Yoon Doyoung from South Korean club Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Yoon, who has penned a five-year-deal, will join the Seagulls on 1 July, after completing the remainder of the season on loan at his current club.

Technical Director David Weir said: "Yoon is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in Asia and we're very pleased he's chosen to become a Brighton player.

"We will be watching closely as he continues his development in the South Korean League through until the summer, and then look to find a suitable loan for him next season."

With the Premier League top two fairly set in stone and the relegation places all but decided, we asked former England midfielder Fara Williams to pick her final table from third down to 10th.

Nottingham Forest will hang on to third based on what they have built this season in terms of being defensively hard to break down and playing in transitions very well. They are finding ways to win games by playing to their strengths.

I do not think Chelsea are good enough to secure fourth. I have put Manchester City there because they have enough firepower and always seem to finish Premier League seasons really well. They have not been in good form but they have that know-how and still a bit of a fear factor against some of the teams they play.

I have Chelsea in fifth because if Cole Palmer can refind his form they will have a good run of games. Newcastle in sixth - where they currently sit - as I think they will continue on the same trajectory with their run of fixtures.

The rest is really difficult. I have put Bournemouth seventh as their pressing and high-intensity play will see them pick up form again and rise a few places.

I have Aston Villa eighth as their focus will be on the Champions League, then Brighton ninth and Fulham 10th as I do not think their form will improve significantly. They are still impressive finishes.

Having said this, it has never been so close in this area of the table from what I can remember. These teams are likely to finish within one win of each other so much can change on one result.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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It was not so long ago that the only reason for a Brighton fan to look forward to an away game at Manchester City was because it was one of the only away ground concourses in English football that sold a well-known dark fruit cider.

This was both a blessing and a curse. Take the Albion's first visit to Etihad Stadium in May 2018.

Many pints of said drink were sunk, both before the match and during half-time. The pain of a 3-1 defeat was lessened.

On the flip side, it meant missing the booked public transport home and an unplanned night in Manchester until the first train back to London the following morning.

And that 3-1 defeat was one of Brighton's better efforts. Largely because it involved an actual Albion goal.

Before facing City on Saturday, Brighton's record at Etihad Stadium read: played seven, lost seven, scored three, conceded 18. Grim.

To therefore be disappointed that Brighton were leaving the Etihad with a mere point from visit eight was quite an extraordinary feeling.

Likewise, wondering just how costly Carlos Baleba blazing over the bar with 10 minutes remaining might be to the Albion's Champions League hopes.

The current campaign, in many ways, reminds me of the 2022-23 season. Talk of the Europa League seemed fanciful going into the March international break. Little ol' Brighton finishing in the top six? Surely not.

And yet, Roberto de Zerbi and his players went on to make history. Fast forward two years and Fabian Hurzeler and the current crop have every chance of doing the same.

No matter what happens from this point onwards, the final two months of the season are going to be an absolute roller coaster.

From losing 7-0 at Nottingham Forest to being seven unbeaten - including six wins and a draw against the four-in-a-row champions - it is never dull being an Albion supporter.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

City fans

Scott: A fabulous game of football from both sides. Brighton employed the high press with great success, shutting down City's attacks at source. City used the wings excellently, and should have reaped more rewards, but for wayward finishing. On the whole, a fair result.

Keith: City have arrived at a crossroads for Pep, and he hasn't got the team to play the same way we did. Things have to change, either by the style of play or with the players retained. Why does Pep retain Lewis, Gvardiol, Ederson, or Nunes?

John: Sadly, this was the day City's Champions League chances all but disappeared. Liverpool, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest will take first, second and third, Chelsea will take fourth while Brighton are in brilliant form and will take fifth. City and Newcastle are fighting for sixth.

Brian: City struggle to kill off games and because of this struggle to hold on. They made progress today but defensive errors continue to halt the team success. We have high possession stats but poor shot stats - it is a boring watch. Brighton are excellent on the counter-attack and City struggle with the speed of such forward play. Qualification for Europe is going to be a challenge. We need to be more aggressive up front.

Brighton fans

Fran: A mixed performance but also a good point. To be disappointed having a draw at City shows how far we have come. Just more clinical finishing for those two clear chances and we would have taken all three points!

Steve: Oh dear, two golden chances to win it! I suppose before the game we would take a point, but how good is it to feel slightly disappointed to only draw away at City. This team is showing real class and potential. Let's hope we can keep these guys for a while before they are poached.

Jimmy: Minteh's one-footedness cost Brighton here. If he had a right foot, he'd have had a tap in, instead of lunging two footed and missing the ball completely.

Stan: Brilliant performance from the Seagulls today. I would prefer a win but happy with the draw. Seagulls soaring into Europe.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC MOTD: "We gave away goals in a very cheap way and we have to improve.

"The fact that we came back twice and we had big opportunities to go for the win is a very positive one. We showed our identity and that's how we want to play.

"Overall, I am happy with the performance, but not happy with the result.

"It is very obvious for me and clear that we should leave this pitch as a winner. Sometimes in football it's like this.

"We have to analyse this game and then we should be disappointed about the draw.

"We should stay grounded, humble and keep pushing each other.

"This club always works hard. We have a situation with the run after the Forest game. It is because we're doing the basics right. We have to keep doing it for the rest of the season."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has just delivered some worrying news about full-back Tariq Lamptey.

The former Chelsea man was due to return from suspension today but was not in the visitors squad at the Etihad Stadium.

Hurzeler's comments were vague. But they were not positive as he was asked why Lamptey and Solly March were missing.

"Tariq has a bigger issue," he said. "He had a bad moment in training and I can't say exactly how long he will be out."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Man City's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Everton v West Ham

• Southampton v Wolves

• Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Brighton

• Bournemouth v Brentford (17:30) - full commentary starts on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

This is not an easy one to call, because Brighton are on a great run - they have won four in a row and are right in the mix for the Champions League places.

The Seagulls will move above City in the table if they win, but everyone down to Bournemouth in ninth place could be in the top five by the end of the weekend, it is that tight.

I have been a bit gutless with City recently and have backed them to win games like this against the teams around them in the table - like last week against Forest, for example.

I don't really want to make that mistake again but, at the same time, I do think City look a lot more dangerous with Omar Marmoush in the team.

Also, I'm told that lot of FPL managers have piled in on Erling Haaland this week because they think he is going to score a hatful in City's next two league games, here and against Leicester at the start of April. I can see where they are coming from.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here