Sussex

Chris Wise
BBC Commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Amongst the chaos of a win over the champions on Monday night, Brighton handed a debut to their youngest ever Premier League player.

Step forward 17 year old Harry Howell. And what trust Fabian Hurzeler must have in Howell to put him into a situation like that. I asked Hurzeler about him afterwards, and he called the teenager a "special" player, who had really impressed in training. For the Brighton manager, age is no barrier.

This has been a meticulous, well-thought out plan by Brighton to get Howell some Premier League minutes before the end of the season. It might be a new name to anyone outside the walls of the Amex Stadium, but Howell has been training with the first-team for a couple of months now. Internally, they feel like he is destined for a very bright future.

When Howell came off the bench with his cousin Jack Hinshelwood, it was 2-2. A minute later, Howell was almost stood next to Hinshelwood when he popped in the winning goal. Maybe it was purely coincidental, but Hurzeler's decision to send Howell on with Hinshelwood felt deliberate to me. A familiar face to settle the nerves perhaps?

Howell reminded me a bit of when Tyler Dibling burst onto the scene at the start of the season for Southampton. There are similarities in style and self-belief.

He's been in tremendous form for the Brighton Under-21s this season, and has an excellent grounding in his dad, Jamie. He was a youngster with Arsenal and part of their team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1994.

Brighton's reputation for developing players means the teenager is in very good hands.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton took three points on Monday by beating Premier League champions Liverpool 3-2, keeping alive their chances of European football.

Mats Wieffer told BBC Radio Sussex: "It's really nice. I think in the first half after 15 minutes we dominated the game, we had more possession and a couple of good chances.

"I think in the second half, we kept on pushing and the substitutes that came on did a good job and in the end we got it over the line. We've struggled at some points this season to get it over the line. We prevented them from making it 3-3, which we've had a problem doing this season. Amazing three points for us."

On his first season with Brighton: "It's been a hard season for me. I came with a quad injury and was out for a long time, then I played the first game and got injured. I never got in the rhythm and now I am really fit and have got used to the intensity.

"I've played in good leagues, Champions League and European football, but this is something else. I don't play in my natural position, but I try to play my best football if possible. It's going well at the moment."

On it being the second highest finish for Brighton: "Everyone wants to play European football. It's still possible.

"I think in the end, it's a good position especially because it's the second highest Brighton's ever achieved. We hope to play European football, for sure."

Listen to more from Wieffer on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Brighton and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Callum: Huge performance! Everyone played their part. I think a really big shoutout should go to 17-year-old Harry Howell, who came on at a pretty nervy point of the game and held on remarkably, even nearly getting an assist. Fingers crossed results go our way for Europe.

Glyn: Brajan Gruda grew into a special player. He will be immense next season.

Oli: So impressive from that young midfield three of Yasin Ayari, Simon Adingra and Gruda over the past few weeks. Adingra looks revitalised after having a tough season. I think we are all very eager to see what they can produce next season especially if, fingers crossed, it's in Europe!

Liverpool fans

Ian: I know we wrapped up the league two weeks ago, but this is getting embarrassing. Slot should realise people pay their hard-earned cash to watch games. We should be sending a message to the other teams by putting out the strongest team and beating these sides. I just hope the performance on Sunday is a much-improved one. I don't want it to spoil the celebrations with another defeat.

Wayne: Below-par performance yet again, this is the worst team to have won the Premier League title. I would be very surprised if we even qualify for the Champions League next season.

Shaun: Going off that game, we need seven or eight new players for next season. The back-up boys just aren't good enough. The past few games Harvey Elliott has played he has gone backwards, the same with Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah. Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate also had mares.

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "There have been a lot of highs and lows throughout the season. It is important you don't overreact and it is important to stay grounded and humble because there is still one game to go. But I'm really proud of the team.

"It's not only about playing a football game and the tactical side but it's about the mental side too. We only can be successful if you stick together and we proved that so we are very happy.

"The players changed the intensity on the pitch. They used the goal as the wake-up signal. Liverpool were impressive in the first 20 minutes but I was happy with the reaction."

On Brajan Gruda's performance: "That was his best game, yes. It's important to understand that behind the player is a person and it's a very young person. He comes from a different country and he's away from his family. He never gave up and always tried to improve in training and showed character. He gets the reward for all his hard work."

On 17-year-old Harry Howell: "It's a special player for his young age. I always give young players the chance because it's not about your age if you're good enough.

"Everyone knows their role, if you're a sub then you can come into the game. You always have to be ready to have an impact on it."

Did you know?

• Brighton have come back to win three Premier League games this season when trailing at half-time, with only Fulham doing so more often (five).

Listen to more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton go into the final day of the Premier League season still in contention to qualify for European football for only the second time in their history.

A superb 3-2 win over champions Liverpool, in which the Seagulls fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 down, took Fabian Hurzeler's side eighth in the Premier League.

However, they need to win at Tottenham on Sunday and hope results go in their favour, with Brighton needing Chelsea to lose to Nottingham Forest on Sunday and then for Enzo Maresca's side to win the Conference League final against Real Betis on 28 May.

If those things happen, Brighton will be again in European competition after reaching the last-16 of the Europa League in the 2023-24 campaign.

Against Liverpool, the hosts were the better team in the second half and credit must go to Hurzeler as his substitutions proved key, with Kaoru Mitoma scoring within five minutes of his introduction and Jack Hinshelwood netting 78 seconds after coming on when he headed in from a cross from Matt O'Riley, another sub.

That 85th-minute winning goal from Hinshelwood was the fourth quickest by a substitute in the Premier League this season after he came on with his 17-year-old cousin Henry Howell, who became the youngest Brighton player.

Were you at the game or following it elsewhere?

Brighton fans, what did you think of your performance?

Have your say on Liverpool's display

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