Sussex

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Fabian Hurzeler reached the 50-game mark as Brighton head coach this weekend, a milestone that offers a meaningful sample of his impact since taking over at the Amex. In that time, the 32-year-old has delivered 21 wins, 17 draws and 12 defeats, with Brighton scoring 85 goals and conceding 75, collecting 80 points at an average of 1.6 per game.

It is a record that reflects both progress and volatility, but behind the scenes, Hurzeler's influence has been broader and deeper than the numbers alone suggest.

BBC Sport understands that the German coach has been intent on fostering a club-wide culture built not only on hard work and commitment, but also on constant improvement and development. This has been particularly evident in his approach to younger players, while he has been equally keen to lean on the experience and leadership of the senior figures within the dressing room.

Insiders tell BBC Sport that one of the most impressive aspects of Hurzeler's tenure has been his meticulous match preparation. His attention to detail - both in scouting opponents and in adjusting in-game - has been repeatedly highlighted by those within the club. His ability to influence matches with substitutions or react swiftly to opposition tweaks is seen as a significant strength, with Saturday's win over Brentford viewed internally as yet another example of this quality.

His influence stretches beyond the first team, too.

Hurzeler maintains a close relationship with the academy structure, with several youngsters regularly training with and in some cases featuring for the senior squad.

Nehemiah Oriola, Joe Knight and Harry Howell are regarded as some of the brightest prospects currently emerging from Brighton's pathway. Oriola and Knight both made their Premier League debuts in the 3-0 win over Leeds, while Knight also featured in the Carabao Cup victory over Barnsley earlier in the season.

Hurzeler has also played a major role in recruitment since the day he arrived, with that responsibility being a key factor in his decision to take the job. He invests considerable time in long-term squad building and is said to be central to the club's ongoing evolution in squad planning.

As Hurzeler completes his first 50 league games, the sense inside the club is of a head coach deeply embedded in every strand of Brighton's footballing identity and one whose long-term influence may prove just as important as the results on the pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after his penalty save helped Albion beat Brentford: "You prepare for penalties and have a plan, but if someone gets two penalties in one game then it changes the situation a little bit.

"It was more about intuition [for the second], so I am really happy. Luckily I made the right decisions.

"The first half was far below our level, but the second half was maybe one of the best 45 minutes we have played. We have to find more consistency to play that way for a full 90 minutes every week.

"That is the next step for our team and if we can do that, then we can do amazing things with the quality we have in the group."

Striker Danny Welbeck said the win felt "sweeter" after having to come from behind to secure the points.

The ex-Manchester United striker scored the equaliser in the 71st minute before Jack Hinshelwood grabbed the winner on his return from injury.

The 34-year-old now has seven goals in 12 Premier League appearances.

"It makes it all the sweeter," Welbeck told BBC Radio Sussex. "The scenes at the end showed our togetherness. It showed a will, desire, and motivation to be better.

"Our first-half performance wasn't good enough. In the second half we put it right.

"There were some stern words at half-time with everyone getting their point across, but I'm so pleased we came out and had the right reaction to get the three points."

Listen to Verbruggen's full interview on BBC Sounds

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

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Geoff: Carlos Baleba needs to be taken out of the spotlight - it is not fair on him or the team to keep selecting him. Good win in a game we would normally be expected to win, but haven't in the past.

Sam: Poor overall team performance from Brighton, but there was some individual brilliance from Yankuba Minteh with a clever finish from Danny Welbeck. To come from behind and win was the right result. We will take three points and move on.

Martin: Not our best performance. Looked like they'd all put on each other's boots in the first half. Brentford did what Brentford do: get a lucky goal and waste time, but class eventually won out.

Fran: I thought we seemed really sluggish and sloppy with our passing in the first half but improved in the second. We didn't give up and took the goals well. We definitely need to see a game out. It's not negative to put the ball out of play or send it into their half to clear the danger so late in a game. I can never understand why players try and play silly tippy-tippy passes around our own area. Just one slip or interception and you are punished. Still, a good three points.

Brentford fans

Tim: Completely bossed the first half, completely capitulated in the second. We didn't take the chances offered, and Brighton took theirs, so we deserved what we got. Too cumbersome in front of goal - why don't Bees strikers shoot anymore?

Will: Bees worked hard and the first half was good. Sat on the lead and we were punished. Substitutions all wrong again, Keith what are you thinking? Would it be time to give Reiss Nelson a go? Same substitutions most of the time away from home and the same result - beaten again.

Peter: We lack creativity and penetration in the final third. Only four shots on goal, including two penalties. Our midfield shape just looks wrong. Mikkel Damsgaard would be better if he had more space on the right-hand side.

Gavin: In the second half, it was difficult for Brentford to decide to stick or twist. Despite loads of possession Brighton were doing nothing with it, to the consternation of their fans. If it wasn't for the combined class of their best two players, Brighton may well have lost. Their winner was a mishit but Brentford should have equalised with the second penalty. However, Thiago looked like he was suffering from concussion in the second half and I wasn't surprised he missed it. The performance overall was par with the international players fading towards the end.

Sam Ashoo
Final Score reporter at Amex Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

They say dribbling is a dying art in football, but try telling that to Yankuba Minteh.

The Gambian winger is known in his home country as the 'Bakoteh Messi', and the way he twisted Brentford's Kristoffer Ajer inside out in the first half on Saturday was reminiscent of the great man in his prime.

There is more to Minteh's game than dribbling, as proven in the second half when his deep, looping cross perfectly found Danny Welbeck for the equaliser. Still not content with a point, the winger kept driving forward at every opportunity and played a major part in Jack Hinshelwood's winner.

There is often talk about how much Brighton miss Kaoru Mitoma, but in Minteh, they have a player who is just as capable of lighting up the Amex.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Rob Green join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle 2-1 Manchester City

• Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest

• Fulham 1-0 Sunderland