Sussex

Image source, PA Media

Lewis Dunk is poised to make his 500th appearance for Brighton on Wednesday.

The Seagulls captain, 34, made his debut for Brighton in a League One game against MK Dons in May 2010.

He has since been involved in two promotions, appeared in two FA Cup semi-finals, played for the club in the Europa League and represented England.

Dunk has been speaking to BBC Radio Sussex before reaching the milestone and, as he prepares for game number 500, we want you to share your best moments of the centre-back's career with us.

Get in touch with your favourite memories and come back to this page on Wednesday for a selection of your replies.

Brighton fan Alice Botting joined BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club to explain why supporters are still "divided" over head coach Fabian Hurzeler, despite the Seagulls sitting fifth in the Premier League.

"The fan base is so divided over how he is doing and how we are doing as a club, but I personally have no complaints," Botting said. "I think he has done really well.

"The only issues we've had, especially last season, was with the 7-0 [loss] at Nottingham Forest and a couple of other results, it didn't quite seem like he had the passion afterwards and didn't seem like he was as involved with fans, but there can't be any complaints where we are this season.

"We have really gone under the radar being in fifth because no one really talks about us that much this season.

"There is still a divide. It is not as big as it was a couple of weeks ago but the table is tight so a small change in form and you can go from being in the top six to the bottom half."

Asked about those who may have an objection to Hurzeler and the potential reasons for it, Botting added: "For a lot of people, the passion that Roberto de Zerbi showed, we don't quite have with Hurzeler.

"So many people related to Roberto and felt like he was one of us because you could see his passion on the touchline when we won, he was really going for it.

"We don't really have that with Fabian, I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but for people who enjoyed that from Roberto, we don't have that same feeling that we're all together."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Amex Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler said he will pick the team he thinks is ready to play this game: "It's about saving them from injury and not getting them a ban."

• Brighton need to "follow the procedure with Georginio Rutter and assess him" after the forward was withdrawn against Nottingham Forest, with Hurzeler adding: "I hope he will be available tomorrow. It was not a concussion but we have to follow the procedure and take care of the player's health. All the other players will hopefully be available and ready for tomorrow."

• The Seagulls boss also gave an update on Tommy Watson: "He was in training yesterday and he will train today, and we will make a decision if he's an option for the squad. He is very close."

• On rotating his team: "We try to build connections on the pitch and try to have the same squad on the pitch because it's crucial to have that continuing connection - but, on the other side, we have players who deserve to play and do a good job. When you have three games in one week, it's a good chance to give the players who deserve it a chance to play."

• On defender Lewis Dunk's impact on the side: "He is such an important player. I said it from day one, he is my skipper and he is my leader. He went through highs and lows but what is impressive is that he has always stayed Lewis Dunk and always stuck with the club. We are very pleased with how he is playing."

• More on Dunk: "At the moment, he is in unbelievable shape and he is doing that because he has believed in his quality and he is working and training hard - so there is no surprise. He is so important for us in the locker room and he is a good connector."

• Hurzeler also said his players are getting more mature: "They are understanding how you need to play to win games against these very experienced teams. I am confident we have made a step further and we can prove that tomorrow against Aston Villa."

Hear more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

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

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

After a much happier experience away at Nottingham Forest compared to the 7-0 shambles of 10 months ago, someone asked me how Brighton find themselves fifth in the Premier League table.

My response? I do not know.

Through August, September and October, it did not feel like Brighton played particularly well.

There were good 20-minute spells here and there. But stringing together one 90-minute performance was beyond the Albion, let alone putting together two, three or four in a row. Some supporters were even starting to publicly question Fabian Hurzeler.

Yet here we are, a third of the way through the campaign with Brighton firmly in the battle for a Champions League spot, having got there almost unnoticed.

They say the sign of a good team is winning games when not playing particularly well. How about being three points off second place in the toughest league in the world without playing particularly well?

And if the Albion can ride so high in the standings having rarely hit top gear, imagine what might happen when they do? Well, we got a glimpse of that at the City Ground on Sunday, in what was arguably the best display of the campaign.

Brighton have a woeful record against Sean Dyche-managed sides and Forest has never been the happiest of hunting grounds, even before the cricket score last season - and they were coming off the back of a 3-0 win at Liverpool.

Yet Albion set a new benchmark at Forest. Play like that for the rest of the season and there will be no mystery in trying to explain a fifth-place finish come the end.

It will have been well-earned. I might have to start laying the groundwork now with my partner over the potential lack of summer holidays as annual leave will instead need saving for the Champions League.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Brighton players took to social media to react to Sunday's important 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest.

The victory moved Brighton up to fifth with 22 points from 13 games, above Sunderland on goal difference and only three behind second-placed Manchester City.

Teenage Greece striker Stefanos, 19, Tzimas has previously scored twice in the Carabao Cup but got his first Premier League goal when he capitalised on a poor defensive header from Morato with two minutes left.

The strike meant Brighton have become the first team in Premier League history to have two different Greek players score a goal for the club in the same season - Charalampos Kostoulas scoring the other in Brighton's 4-2 win against Manchester United

It was also the eighth time a Brighton substitute has netted in the Premier League this season - more than any other team.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Andy: There are no easy games. Two lapses of concentration cost us a point, but fair play to Brighton.

Greg: I'm sorry but Sean Dyche started with a negative line-up and it allowed Brighton to dictate the game. Second-half team changes should have started the match. Omari Hutchinson put them under immediate pressure. We were unlucky not to get an equaliser and the late goal by Brighton just summed up the lack of depth of quality in defence. This is a big problem for the Reds. As soon as Murillo is absent, we look suspect at the back - it needs fixing in the next transfer window.

John: Another yo-yo result from Forest. We'll probably escape relegation only because there are three worse sides.

Tom: Forest played solidly, but it just was not their day. Hopefully Murillo will be back soon but I am confident they can bounce back next game regardless.

Brighton fans

Grumpyman: Excellent performance. We were all over them, especially in the first 20 minutes. Great to see the two signings score and Dunk and Van Hecke were immense when they were pressing and threatening to equalise. So nice to banish that distant 7-0 memory...

Paul: A good, solid performance from the Seagulls. They created some good opportunities in the first half and could have been home and dry by half-time. They knew Forest would come back at them and they defended superbly. Dunk was imperious and Minteh chased and chased. Good to see the young lads De Cuyper and Tzimas notch up some goals. Not concerned about losing Baleba, who hasn't been at the races for the team this season - his head is elsewhere and on higher things.

Chris: Very pleased that there was no hangover from the 7-0 drubbing last year! Well done to the boss for the intelligent set-up and substitutions.

Ray: At last, Brighton win a game they could easily have lost!

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton forward Danny Welbeck was quick to highlight the influence of captain Lewis Dunk after Sunday's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The defender has long been central to Brighton's identity, but Welbeck suggested his impact is still underestimated outside the club.

"He was incredible," Welbeck told BBC Radio Sussex. "Sometimes it goes amiss from spectators watching the game how good Lewis Dunk. What he brings to Brighton, what he brings to the team and his performance levels - a lot of his stuff goes under the radar.

"He is an incredible leader. He does it through his performances on the pitch, how he's in training every single day and his character around the place.

"He makes everybody feel comfortable. He brings that comfort on to the pitch as well for the players around him. I'm proud to call him my skipper."

Welbeck also reached a major personal milestone at the City Ground, marking his 500th club appearance.

Reflecting on the achievement, he said: "It's a special moment for me. But it's something you don't really take on until you're finished and look back.

"At the moment, I am pleased to get the win. It's nice to hear you've got 500 club appearances - but on to the next one."

Hear more from Welbeck on BBC Sounds

And also listen to an interview with Maxime de Cuyper reflecting on the win at Forest

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

There's a London derby as Chelsea take on Arsenal, Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace, and struggling Wolves make the short journey to Aston Villa. Elsewhere, West Ham entertain Liverpool and Nottingham Forest face Brighton.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 1-0 Wolves

• Nottingham Forest 0-2 Brighton

• West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

• Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal