Sussex

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler believes Bournemouth are among the top sides in the Premier League, as Albion gear up to for their trip to face the Cherries on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, Hurzeler said: "It is a really big challenge because, for me, Bournemouth are one of the biggest teams at the moment. They have quality, a good shape and, at the moment, are one of the best teams in the league.

"It is an even harder challenge [after we beat Manchester City]. We have to fight for the small things and the personal duels, and then we will get what we deserve.

"They have the ability to suffer and also the ability to hit teams on the counter. They have Evanilson, they have Semenyo, they have Kluivert so there is individual quality. They have great players at the back and in midfield. [They are a] very strong team and a very compact team so there was no surprise they beat these two big clubs [Arsenal and Manchester City]."

Some 96 miles separate Brighton and Bournemouth on the south coast, with some suggesting Saturday's match could be considered a local derby.

"I love derbies," said Hurzeler. "I didn't really know it was a derby, so that's new to me. I am looking forward to it if it is a derby.

"I am looking forward to it if it is not too!"

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked you who scored Brighton's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season.

The answer is Kaoru Mitoma, who netted in the 3-0 win over Everton on 17 August.

Who scored Brighton's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jack Hinshelwood will be assessed before the Bournemouth match, although Hurzeler said his knee problem is "nothing serious". Lewis Dunk is training and "is close" to returning, but Ferdi Kadioglu is unlikely to face the Cherries.

• On the return of his players from international duty: "I'm always happy when the squad is back. We now have a long period when we can work with the team and individual players and I'm really looking forward to it. We had a lot of positive things, now it's very important the players come back in a good mood and good shape, and remember quickly what our identity and culture is, because they will have experienced different philosophies [with their national teams]."

• On trying to continue the positive momentum from results and performances before the international break: "You always have to work to get momentum. It's always a new game and no matter if there's a break between games or not, the game starts from zero. You have to go into the game and do the things you can influence to the maximum."

• He continued: "You can't say 'we won against Manchester City and now the momentum will keep going', it's about fighting for momentum. It's a new game, a different challenge and a really big challenge because Bournemouth are one of the strongest teams at the moment."

• On Bournemouth: "They can play very intense, they run a lot, they have individual quality, they are in good shape. For me at the moment, they're one of the best teams in the league."

• Yankuba Minteh's return to action with Gambia during the international break adds to Hurzeler's attacking options - asked if it gives him a "difficult decision", the Brighton boss said: "It's part of the job to make unpopular decisions. Not every player will be happy but decisions are always made for the success of the club. The players need to deserve to play."

• He added: "We had players who played before, players have come back from injury and that's really important for the competition. I'm really looking forward to every player being back because that produces a hunger of wanting to play and competing against team-mates. With that, the team will grow."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news