'The appointment of Hurzeler already looks a superb decision'published at 14:50
14:50
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A Brighton-related question was put to BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.
Ben asked: Phil, what do you make of Brighton’s start to the season under Fabian Hurzeler and do you believe Europe is realistic once again? Continuing to get decent results against the 'bigger clubs' but struggle when they should win.
Phil answered: In a word, Ben, excellent. I’m a big Brighton fan – not as in you will see me down at The Amex waving a blue and white scarf – but of the way they do things and the way they play.
They have so many different facets to their character as well. They can dig deep and turn on all-out attack as they did to come from 2-0 down to beat Spurs, then they can go to Newcastle, ride their luck a bit let’s be honest, then come away with a classic gritty 1-0 away win.
And the appointment of Hurzeler already looks a superb decision. It was left-field to go for such a young coach - no matter how promising he was in getting St. Pauli into the Bundesliga - with no Premier League experience, but it looks like Brighton have got it right again.
Ward: Unfortunately we lacked a cutting edge and the guile needed to unlock a resolute defence. Our set pieces and corners are disappointing with little variation or creativity. This is important with the amount of box pressure we can generate.
Mike: It was very similar to the Everton game were we dominated but couldn't find the net. Again we created good chances against a resolute Brighton team and again we couldn't finish. It's so frustrating to watch, as long as we work hard and believe goals will eventually come.
Tom: Probably one of the most one sided first halves I have ever seen at St James Park. Newcastle should have been at least a couple ahead by half time. Newcastle's luck summed up with the Isak shot that hit Murphy. Shooting practice in training this week might be helpful. Right winger and a forward who can score goals are urgently required in the January sales.
Brighton fans
Philip: It was great to see a more pragmatic performance. We defended with determination as a team. Newcastle showed more intensity than us in the first half but lacked the finishing. If only we had parked the bus once we were up against Chelsea. In the second half we could have added more goals. Brighton’s flexibility and pragmatism were brilliant.
Brian: Not Brighton's most convincing or fluent performance. However, a great piece of individual brilliance from Danny Welbeck and some good defending enabled them to take all three points. Points from this type of match are vital to sustain a European challenge.
Louis: After all the chat about a high line and heavy metal football, this was a steely defensive performance that got us over the line. We all loved De Zerbi, but there was never any variation in tactics. Imagine if we had played like that against Roma. We've now played four of the big six, Newcastle and Everton away and have 15 points. Exciting times!
Brighton have had around just 40% possession in their last two games - but have won them both.
Only once since the start of last season have they had less of the ball in a game – a 4-0 home defeat against Manchester City in April.
The Seagulls have averaged 60% possession in the Premier League since the start of last season.
Interestingly, Brighton had similarly little of the ball in the same fixtures against Newcastle and Tottenham last season – and still took four points.
'It's a big step for us'published at 08:28
08:28
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Brighton shotstopper Bart Verbruggen spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after Saturday's victory against Newcastle: "I think it's one of the toughest places to go in England so we knew we had to fight and work hard. I think everyone did that. I think if you work this hard then you deserve a result.
"It's a big step for us as a team that we can dominate games and dominate possession, but sometimes hang on in moments and don't give the opponents momentum.
"It's always nice to be important for the team, making some saves and keeping a clean sheet. It's a brilliant feeling.
"We showed what we are capable of in the second half against Tottenham and we told each other that that is the benchmark from now on in terms of intensity. We showed that again and we can build on that in the next couple of games."
Welbeck still making a difference after 16 seasonspublished at 14:55 20 October
14:55 20 October
Tom Gayle BBC Match of the Day Commentator at St James’ Park
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This season already, not one but two of the biggest pundits in the game, have both admitted it was a mistake by Manchester United to sell Danny Welbeck. It’s ten years since the former England striker made the decision to leave Old Trafford and join Arsenal in search of more regular playing time. Following solid, if not specular spells in North London and Watford, it’s now in his fifth season at Brighton, serial winners Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville have both chosen to speak out in support of their former team-mate.
Whilst some may see their comments as an opportunity to criticise Manchester United’s recruitment over the past decade, the numbers don’t lie. Welbeck, thanks to five goals in eight games, is currently enjoying a career best start to a new campaign, 16 seasons on from making his Premier League debut.
Welbeck was my first choice when it came to post-match interview requests. However an injury late on which required the striker to leave the field on a stretcher whilst receiving oxygen meant I’ll have to wait a little longer for an explanation from the man himself as to why he’s in such good form.
In his place I spoke to the club captain, Lewis Dunk, who couldn’t speak more highly of his team-mate. "He's one of the top professionals at this football club and he's a great key to our success. He helps everyone, young and old.” Brighton's Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler describes the 33-year-old as a “special character and special player” who is “so important for the club, and for me, and his team-mates.”
As the former Manchester United midfielder Ravel Morrison famously tweeted “Welbz is dat guy”, a statement which quickly evolved into “Dat guy Welbz”, a nickname which is still a go to for club social media admins some 11 and half years later.
Newcastle 0-1 Brighton: Welbeck makes the differencepublished at 18:36 19 October
18:36 19 October
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
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Image caption,
Danny Welbeck registered his 100th Premier League goal involvement (72 goals, 28 assists) against Newcastle
Now approaching his 34th birthday, Danny Welbeck once again underlined his importance to Brighton with the match-winning contribution at St James' Park.
Over six years on from his 42nd and possibly final England cap, the former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has shown his enduring class during the Seagulls bright start to the campaign.
With five goals in eight top-flight appearances this term he has already equalled his tally for last season and on this evidence you would not back against him reaching double figures for the first time in his career.
Evan Ferguson’s hat-trick against the same opposition catapulted him into the national spotlight last term.
However, with the Republic of Ireland striker enduring a goal drought stretching some 11 months, Brighton will hope the injury that saw Welbeck leave the pitch on a stretcher later on, will not keep him out for an extended period.
'He's been in top form this season'published at 18:30 19 October
18:30 19 October
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Brighton captain Lewis Dunk spoke to BBC Match of the Day about Danny Welbeck's injury after he scored against Newcastle: "I'm gutted to see him go off, he's been in top, top form this season. Hopefully it's not a bad injury and he'll be back soon.
"He was ruthless scoring his goal. Me and him have a good link up.
"He's one of the top professionals at this football club and he's a great key to our success. He helps everyone, young and old. Hopefully his injury is not too bad and we'll have him fighting to get fit."
On his own fight to get back into the England squad: "We shall see."
'I wouldn't say it was a deserved win'published at 17:56 19 October
17:56 19 October
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Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's victory against Newcastle: "I think we suffered first half. There was a lot of intensity from Newcastle. But we showed a brilliant reaction.
"In the end, I wouldn't say it was a deserved win, but my team suffered and defended together.
"Sometimes that's football. We didn't deserve to score at the time when we did. But it's great individual quality from Danny Welbeck. I am very happy with him."
On Welbeck's injury: "No updates. I can't say any updates. I think he got a knee in his lower back. Let's wait until later, until tomorrow, then we'll know more.
"We defended together. In the end, defence wins Championships. We got smashed against Chelsea but we learnt from it. Not everything was perfect today, we have to be honest with ourselves. But the luck will come to you if you work for it.
"We have a lot of injuries, we always have to adjust things. But the guys are doing it brilliantly. Of course we want to focus on the process but you also need the results. For me, the result was good, the performance was OK."
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