Sussex

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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After Cole Palmer scored four times in 45 minutes against Brighton three weeks ago, Fabian Hurzeler said he would learn and adapt from the experience.

Hurzeler and the Albion showed a huge amount of naivety in going to Stamford Bridge and thinking a high defensive line was a good idea against Chelsea’s rapid front four.

However wise Hurzeler’s words were, the proof of the pudding was only ever going to be in the eating. And the pudding at Newcastle on Saturday turned out to be the finest prinzregententorte (look it up) from Hurzeler’s home state of Bavaria.

The Brighton boss did indeed learn and adapt. The high line was gone, Hurzeler having realised there are places in the Premier League where such tactics are suicidal. Chelsea is one. Newcastle another.

He switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 with the midfield four consisting of central players and no out-and-out wingers. Brighton defended resolutely in two banks of four, challenging the Toon to find a way through. At the other end, Danny Welbeck in current form meant the Albion always had a chance of scoring themselves to nick a 1-0.

And it worked to perfection. It is hard to keep track of how many times over the past few seasons a visiting team have come to the Amex, sat back with a well organised defence and inspired goalkeeper and left with something.

It felt rather good for the boot to be on the other foot. And it highlights the contrast between Hurzeler and Roberto de Zerbi, for whom a Plan B was a bigger insult than pineapple on a pizza – most notably when injury-hit Albion went to Roma, refused to modify their approach and were thrashed 4-0.

Hurzeler’s willingness to adapt meant Brighton became only the second team after Manchester City in 2024 to leave St James’ Park with three points.

The sign of a quality manager.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Football is full of highs.

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And lows.

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Controversy takes hold.

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Moments of madness do too.

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Players become unexpected heroes.

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Some never change.

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There's pain.

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Joy too.

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And, given this ebb and flow of emotion, every so often, even the coolest heads boil over.

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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.

It’s wide open after Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, so why can’t Brighton reach Europe again? They deserve to be fifth, only two points behind Aston Villa.

Read more of the Q&A with Phil and the rest of the day's football news

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

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

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.

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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."

Hear more from Verbuggen, as well as Fabian Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

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.