Man City v Brighton: Did you know?published at 13:06 14 March
13:06 14 March
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City have never lost a home league match against Brighton (W12 D2), winning the past 10 in a row. It is the most they have faced an opponent at home without defeat in their league history (14).
Brighton are enjoying the longest ongoing winning run in the Premier League (four games). It is the Seagulls' longest sequence of league victories since April 2017 in the Championship (five) and their joint-longest in the top flight (also five from April-May 1981).
Hurzeler on Dunk, pressure and chasing Man Citypublished at 11:44 14 March
11:44 14 March
Tyrese King BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Manchester City (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler said Lewis Dunk is still not available due to injury but is "getting closer" to returning. There is hope Dunk can recover after the international break in time for the FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest.
Matt O'Riley still "has a little bit of a problem with his knee" so will not feature but Hurzeler hopes he will be able to return after the international break.
Meanwhile, Tariq Lamptey will be an "option" after serving his suspension.
On thriving in the race for the Champions League places: "Honestly, I love pressure. So, I always find a way to deal with it. I never feel pressure from the owner or from outside [influences] because I put it on myself. In the end, but the biggest pressure I put on myself because I'm the most demanding person.
On how his ambitions align with the club's: "I want the best for the club, which is success. We do this by our daily behaviour, pushing our limits every day and getting the best out of the group. And then we will see where we end in our season."
As a result, he is confident his team can be successful: "I have the biggest belief inside of myself that this team can achieve something because we have a great togetherness in the group. We have players with individual potential, and that helps give belief to the whole club."
On last year's champions City and their downturn in form this season: "They're still one of the best teams in the world and Pep [Guardiola] is still one of the best managers in the world. For me, it's very important to go there with a big portion of humbleness but also with a big belief in ourselves that we can beat every team in the league as we have proved this season. That's what we will try to prove tomorrow."
On Brighton's chances of getting a first win at Etihad Stadium: "It's not about chasing any records. It's chasing our own behaviour, chasing our own limits. That's what we have to do tomorrow as well against City."
Will Brighton qualify for the Champions League?published at 08:41 14 March
08:41 14 March
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for you to tell us in one sentence why Brighton will qualify for the Champions League.
Here are some of your comments:
Ian: Brighton have the momentum and there are no immovable objects in our way.
Brian: I think 20 points should be enough, which is six wins, two draws and two defeats.
Hugh: Owner, chief executive, managerial staff and squad well aligned = Champions League football is a high probability!
Peter: The team play as a cohesive unit, believing in their potential to win against any opposition and backed up by an exemplar management structure that other clubs would be proud of.
Max: They have belief in themselves and are not afraid of any club.
Trevor: Togetherness.
Seagulls need a Gross replacement - Virgopublished at 17:59 13 March
17:59 13 March
Image source, Getty Images
Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo says the club should look to recruit a set-piece specialist in the summer transfer window.
Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Virgo said: "[Set-pieces] are a massive part of the game, and there was a periods when Lewis Dunk was getting a decent return of goals from set plays.
"It's all about that delivery, If you're not beating the near post, or you're over-hitting it, then you're not going to score as many goals. The one player who has always been there with a wand of a foot is Pascal Gross. That is now missing.
"I couldn't really tell you who our free-kick taker is. With all the stats that Brighton tend to work with, maybe they should go and find someone in that area that works for set plays. The height is there in Danny [Welbeck] and both centre-halves."
Bloom buys stake in A-League club Melbourne Victorypublished at 09:50 13 March
09:50 13 March
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton owner Tony Bloom has bought a 19.1% stake in Australian A-League club Melbourne Victory.
The deal allows the Seagulls chairman to increase his ownership over time.
Bloom is already an investor in Belgian Pro League club Union Saint-Gilloise and has an involvement with Scottish Premiership club Hearts.
Brighton have 'priceless' belief they can 'win every single game'published at 09:34 13 March
09:34 13 March
Image source, Getty Images
After Brighton lost 7-0 to Nottingham Forest, Fabian Hurzeler said he picked a formation that was too attacking. He created something which just did not work in the moment.
There are not seven goals between those teams and sometimes you get freak results. Hurzeler knew it was not a game to overreact to, but to learn lessons from. The lesson to learn was not in terms of mentality but in terms of setup.
Since then, he has set his team up in a way that compliments each individual player more and compliments the style he wants them to play, which is defensively solid with a significant threat in attack and to be truly balanced.
Some of the goals and individual moments they have had in their impressive run since have been great, but the key is square pegs in square holes and finding the right combinations.
The sign of a good football club is how they react when adverse things start to happen. The key was their reaction after the 7-0 loss and they showed great determination to get the first win and then the second and so on.
Then, before you know it, there is the belief they will win every single game. When they step out onto the field they know they are set up correctly, the manager knows and trusts his players to do the job required.
Now they fear nobody because they have the belief they can win against anyone, which is priceless in football. That means they can go toe-to-toe with any style and most players are playing really well.
Belief can get you going a yard quicker, jumping a few centimetres higher and get you striking that ball a little more often towards goal.
That belief exists now in the players, the fans, and the manager on the sideline.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
Do Brighton fare well against the top teams?published at 09:33 13 March
09:33 13 March
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
"Embarrassing performance", "the manager got it all wrong" and "is it time for a change?"
But was that result just a bad day at the office for Fabian Hurzeler's team this season?
Since that heavy loss by another side chasing European football, the Seagulls have won six consecutive games across all competitions.
A bounce-back and then some.
With potentially season-defining games against Manchester City, Forest in the FA Cup quarter-final and Aston Villa to come in the next month, should fans be concerned about the impressive run coming to an end?
Perhaps not.
That is because a strength of Brighton's this season has been their ability to get results against the top teams.
According to Football365, the south coast side are second only to Premier League leaders Liverpool in gaining points against top-half teams this season, and that is not taking into account results against those sides in cup competitions.
From the 14 league matches they have played against those top 10 teams, Brighton have won six, drawn four and lost four.
In the past six games in all competitions since the 7-0 defeat by Forest alone, they have beaten Chelsea twice, Bournemouth,Newcastle and Fulham.
Prior to that, they held second-placed Arsenal to a draw twice, beat Manchester City and pushed Liverpool close in both the Carabao Cup and the league.
Having struggled in the period before Christmas, getting another foray into Europe looked to be slipping out of reach, but their turnaround in form sees them now sit seventh in the league and just three points off the top four.
Bringing in a manager that was younger than a number of senior players looked from afar to be a risk, but Hurzeler appears to now be getting the results to match the play and performances.
If he can continue to mastermind results against the top sides, particularly in the run to the end of the season, it could be a gamble that pays off with another European adventure and cup glory.
Why will Brighton qualify for the Champions League?published at 08:22 13 March
08:22 13 March
Ten games to go and we need your positivity.
It is looking likely the Premier League will be awarded an extra Champions League spot for the 2025-26 season, so finishing fifth will mean a seat at Europe's top table.
We want you to tell us, in just one sentence, why Brighton will qualify for the Champions League.
'The next Mac Allister-Caicedo pairing?' - fans on under-the-radar topicspublished at 17:35 12 March
17:35 12 March
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you what nobody is talking about at Brighton but really should be.
Here are some of your comments:
Kyle: The entire club. People are still shocked when we cause problems for the bigger teams and show up competing for Europe. People have been living under a rock and haven't caught on to the fact that we've been one of the best-run clubs in world football for a good few years now.
Alistair: It's been talked about a bit, but Diego Gomez looks like another gem. If he can form a reliable partnership with Carlos Baleba, we might have the next Mac Allister-Caicedo pairing on our hands.
Anton: When will we stick with a long-term team ie a regular squad that we won't see dissolve every season through selling for profit? While I fully understand Tony Bloom's goal is to have a profit, making a robust Brighton that will never be in financial turmoil - and we are all enormously grateful for that - I wonder how long it will be until we see more players staying season after season?
Wells: I was driving a mate of mine to a match and asked him this question: "Do Brighton have the strongest second XI of any Premier League club?" He looked at me in disbelief, then after a period of reflection, he couldn't disagree!
O: Maybe not in terms of going under the fans' radar, but Simon Adingra is certainly going under Hurzeler's. A very capable Premier League player who was great last season, who even got two assists in the Africa Cup of Nations final, is barely getting used. If I were him, I would demand minutes!
Are Brighton better equipped for a European campaign?published at 09:24 12 March
09:24 12 March
Image source, Getty Images
Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo has compared the Seagulls team under Roberto de Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler.
Speaking to the Albion Unlimited podcast, Virgo said: "As a team, I think we saw more style of play under De Zerbi. I think we are still trying to see the identity under Hurzeler.
"As a squad, I think they couldn't cope with the FA Cup, Europa League and Premier League [under De Zerbi]. The dream is to get into Europe, but when you get there it might be too early.
"Squad-wise, I think we are now in a much better position, but starting 11 wise I would still pick De Zerbi's team.
"It's a matter of time [with Hurzeler], he has had more injuries to deal with. When this team clicks, you see really good football."
What is going under the radar at Brighton?published at 08:36 12 March
08:36 12 March
Brighton are through to the last eight of the FA Cup and still right in the mix to qualify for Europe, having put together an excellent run of results after that hammering at Nottingham Forest.
And there is no doubt plenty more going on that you know far more about than we do.
So tell us, what's one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about at Brighton but really should be?
🎧 Van Hecke and Virgo on Albion Unlimitedpublished at 19:41 11 March
19:41 11 March
The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast is available now on BBC Sounds.
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke discusses the Seagulls' impressive winning run and scoring his first goal for the club.
The team are also joined by former Albion skipper Adam Virgo, who talks about the strength of the Brighton squad, their European learning curve, the club's "best chance" of winning the FA Cup and Saturday's trip to Manchester City.
Pedro's last-minute goal joins the Brighton history bookspublished at 12:20 11 March
12:20 11 March
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
In every season where Brighton achieve something special, there tends to be an unforgettable last-minute goal.
The 2010-11 League One title winning campaign had Liam Bridcutt crashing home a volley against Carlisle United to the now legendary "it's the stuff of dreams - the stuff of champions" commentary of Johnny Cantor on BBC Radio Sussex.
Glenn Murray delivered an early Christmas present in 2016, scoring a last-gasp winner at Birmingham City in the Championship promotion year.
Two seasons ago and a last gasp Alexis Mac Allister penalty saw off Manchester United at Amex Stadium.
That day, the roar that greeted the goal was so loud it could be heard the other side of Brighton as the Albion moved within touching distance of European qualification for the first time ever.
Saturday saw the 2024-25 version of Bridcutt, Murray and Mac Allister. With virtually the last kick of the game, Joao Pedro beat Bernd Leno from the spot.
Not only did it end a winless run against Fulham stretching back eight years but it moved Brighton to within a point of the Champions League places.
Victory away at Manchester City this weekend would take the Albion above the four-in-a-row champions going into the international break.
It was surreal to hear pundits on BBC Match of the Day openly discussing Brighton's top four chance - especially as just five weeks earlier, they were picking over the bones of a humiliating 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The reaction to that sorry afternoon by the banks of the River Trent has been phenomenal.
If it somehow ends up carrying the Albion into the Champions League, Brighton's biggest league defeat in 57 years will end up being seen as the catalyst for arguably the biggest achievement in the club's history.
Brighton 2-1 Fulham - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:27 10 March
11:27 10 March
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts on Brighton's Premier League game against Fulham.
Here are some of your comments:
Brighton fans
Tim: Fantastic three points. Managed to find a way without playing our best. First win against Fulham in Premier League at such an important time. If we can keep winning against the teams around us who knows how high in the league we can finish. Come on Albion!
Oscar: What a game! Brighton were better than Fulham by a country mile. Definitely a pen. Joao Pedro slotted it home and gave us the win. Brighton marching on to Europe again.
Mike: Great to see us being so dogged to secure the win. That penalty was earned through sheer effort and determination not to accept a draw. Fulham are a good side and these are the games we used to lose and draw, so we are showing a side of us that we've struggled to find before.
Adrian: Brighton have a habit of playing well and not winning - switched now to winning without playing well! It's a great habit. I still don't know what our best team is, but that's not a bad thing either.
Fulham fans
Will: Absolutely heart breaking stuff. Harrison Reed has been with us for so long so it's devastating that he made the error. It's a big mountain for us to get Europe now but they are there to be climbed.
Graham: Why do refs not stick to the extra time as indicated at the end of 90 minutes? Brighton penalty was awarded at 96 minutes. Only five minutes extra time were indicated. Football should having timing the same as rugby union. At least it's fare and exact.
Ash: It's a terrible 'trait' passing the ball back towards your own goal when you have possession in the opposition half, happened too often against Brighton. Scott Parker team tactics were based around that. You can't hurt the opponents doing that. A wasted opportunity.
Bri: Sadly this result is summing up our season; one minute hope, next minute despair! Again the boys seemed sloppy, allowing Brighton too much space and depending almost on counter attacking. Mid-table security is OK, let's take that for now.
John: Terrible defending, a free header and a stupid tackle for the penalty. We will only ever be an average middle to bottom Premier League team if we play like that.
'We can beat anybody'published at 08:04 10 March
08:04 10 March
Image source, Getty Images
Jan Paul van Hecke spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after scoring his first goal for Brighton against Fulham:
"I have a pain in my neck! [from scoring the goal]. I'm really happy that I could score my first goal and hopefully more to come."
On the reasons behind the recent upturn in form: "Everyone works really hard and you can see every game the effort we put in. With a combination of good players and a good plan, you can come really far and be hard to beat.
"We need to make sure we work really hard, put the effort in and we can beat anybody."
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 11:01 9 March
11:01 9 March
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.
Brighton 2-1 Fulham: Late Pedro penalty snatches win for hostspublished at 18:08 8 March
18:08 8 March
Bobbie Jackson BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Reuters
Brighton's hopes of securing an unlikely Champions League berth gathered further moment courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty from Joao Pedro.
The Seagulls' encounter with Fulham looked like it was meandering to a frustrating draw and had been largely uneventful until Pedro was brought down by Harrison Reed.
Raul Jimenez had put Fulham in front but that lead last a mere six minutes until Jan Paul van Hecke equalised.
Neither side could really find their rhythm throughout but Brighton did look the most likely to grab the winner after having two goals ruled out due to offside in the second half.
Pedro showed no sign of nerves as he stood atop of the ball from 12 yards out and he dispatched coolly into the corner to land Brighton's first-ever Premier League win over Fulham.
Brighton have won six successive games across all competitions and are on a four-match win streak in the top-flight for the first time since 1981.
Victory moves them up to sixth and just one point behind Manchester City who are fourth and in the final guaranteed Champions League spot.
Brighton travel to Man City for their next outing on Saturday at 15:00 GMT.
'We were the only team on the pitch who wanted the win'published at 17:47 8 March
17:47 8 March
Image source, Getty Images
Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's victory against Fulham: "I haven't seen it [the penalty] yet so I will have a look and then I can say something to that. We deserved it. We were the only team on the pitch who really wanted to have this win. We created some, dominated the game, and defended well. It was not the best performance from us but I think it was a deserved win.
"We weren't at our highest level regarding our freshness but you have to play clever and mature in these moments. You have to defend in a mature way but we conceded an easy goal. We got some more intensity in the second half. I liked the attitude and the character from us.
On Carlos Baleba: "It's about for him to always stay alive the whole game and to find his moments. It's not about deciding the game. in his position in the six, it's about closing the gaps. You can do it with good movement.
"The most important is that we are so full of togetherness. The none starters who came on. These made the difference and that's the key for us.
"We want to win and have the feeling that we want to go for the winner but it's important not to force it. In the end, we landed in a dangerous situation for Fulham and then we got the penalty.
On the Champions League: "It's not in the discussion. We have to focus on the next game."
Since the start of last season, Joao Pedro has won more penalties than any other Premier League player in all competitions (9). Meanwhile, only Mohamed Salah (18) has scored more penalties than the Brazilian (13) during this period.
Image source, Getty Images
