Sussex

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton have not won four games in a row since they were a Championship club.

So, in this weird campaign, when a run of positive results has been followed by a run of negative ones, it feels fitting Fabian Hurzeler has managed something that proved beyond Chris Hughton, Graham Potter or Roberto de Zerbi.

The big question is: how far will it take them?

Sunday's FA Cup trip to Newcastle is one of the toughest games possible, while the Premier League run-in includes matches against Liverpool and Manchester City, plus encounters with five of the teams in the same scramble to secure European football next season.

We are long past the point when it was a novelty or something special to see Brighton in the top half of the table. Now there is an expectation about where the Seagulls should be.

With eighth potentially good enough for a Conference League berth, depending on England's European performance slot standings and who wins the domestic cups, Brighton have a return to Europe very much in their grasp.

Hurzeler has made some mistakes in his debut season at Amex Stadium, but the good outweighs the bad.

Now the pressure is on to get his selections and tactics right for the final quarter of the campaign.

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Brighton striker Joao Pedro says all of his Brighton teammates "did a great job" in Tuesday's win against Bournemouth, but they are unable to relax with 11 league games left and the FA Cup still to play for.

Speaking after the victory the Brazil forward said: "We knew Bournemouth are a physical team - they have done very good this season. We knew we had to improve to win the second ball and everyone did a great job.

"You need to adapt game by game. Sometimes you play against teams who keep the ball but [Bournemouth] run and fight a lot - so you need to adapt."

Pedro's penalty gave the Seagulls an early lead and he praised his team-mates' role in allowing him to focus: "The team give me a lot of confidence. I don't think around I just focus on what I have to do."

Brighton travel to St James' Park on Sunday to face Newcastle in the FA Cup, and after winning there earlier in the season, Albion will be hoping for a similar result.

"We need to keep our heads and focus game by game. If we relax a little, everyone knows what happens in the Premier League so we need to prepare ourselves for the FA Cup and then move forward," Pedro added.

"The gaffer wants a lot from the FA Cup so we need to do well in it and the league as well."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Brighton and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Fran: I was at the game and it was good to see two teams trying to win and not trying to defend with 11 players behind the ball. We rode our luck at times but overall I thought we deserved to win. You can see why Bournemouth are where they are as they play really good football.

James: We're turning our fortunes around. After one win in eight, it is now four wins in five and we are looking upwards towards Europe. Carlos Baleba solid again in midfield and and Jan Paul van Hecke and Adam Webster prove there is no need for Lewis Dunk in the squad. Pleased for Danny Welbeck to be back on the score sheet.

Mark: Bournemouth are a very good side. They looked more threatening than we did during the second half and the momentum was with them after they equalised, but we weathered the storm that many home teams have not managed to do this season against them, which shows what a good side Brighton are.

Rich: Hard-fought win and two entertaining teams. Diego Gomez looks to be a real prospect, so that is another one off the conveyor belt.

Peter: Excellent performance against a very dangerous opponent and three very precious points gained in the quest for European qualification. Two cracking goals by Justin Kluivert and Welbeck. A draw would not have been a bad result but we held on for a good win.

Bournemouth fans

Matt: A good end to end game, with the Seagulls just shading it on taking chances. Profligate from the Cherries once more. The cup game will give a welcome chance to regroup and bed the returnees back in. The fight is not over yet.

Andre: The bar has been set so high by us this season. We have delivered continuously and exceptionally, with a depleted squad. The league, on the whole, is so strong and unpredictable this season.

Simon: How was that game been lost? Cherries much the better team and had more chances in both halves. A dominant performance. I have to give so much praise to the players, but we were just not quite clinical enough when it mattered. It is interesting to see that since Illia Zabarnyi's red card, we have conceded three goals conceded and dropped six points!

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Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's victory against Bournemouth: "It was a very intense game, both teams tried to score and tried to win. The second half was an open game and in the end we were a lucky winner."

On match-winner Danny Welbeck: "The most important thing for me is he is there as a leader and so important for the young players. He does the right things and he got what he deserved today."

"We reflected on the Nottingham Forest game and we were honest and took responsibility for the loss and tried to get back to the basics so credit to the players and we're really happy with this reaction."

Listen to more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler could hardly have wished for a better response to his team's 7-0 thrashing at Nottingham Forest at the beginning of February.

Since then, the Seagulls have beaten Chelsea twice - in the Premier League and FA Cup - Southampton and now Bournemouth to reignite their hopes of securing European football next season.

They had to grind out the three points against Bournemouth, who were denied on several occasions by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and could have gone on to win the game after Justin Kluivert had cancelled out Joao Pedro's early penalty in spectacular fashion.

But it was Danny Welbeck who ended up being the match-winner, just three minutes after coming off the bench to replace the Brazilian striker.

His composed finish, which struck the inside of the far post on its way past Kepa Arrizabalaga, lifts him on to 30 Premier League goals for Brighton - the joint-most for the club in the top flight along with Pascal Gross.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brighton's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

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

Four matches make up Tuesday's Premier League action and we will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Bournemouth

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Wolves v Fulham

• Chelsea v Southampton (20:15)

All kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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Thomas Tuchel has been to the Amex twice since officially starting his new job as England manager when 2024 turned into 2025.

He needs to make a couple more stopovers in Brighton before naming his first Three Lions squad in March. Or pick up das Telefon and speak to compatriot Fabian Hurzeler.

The subject of his return visit or phone conversation with Herr Hurzeler? Jack Hinshelwood. Because he deserves to be in contention for his first senior call-up.

While it was the Albion's forward foursome of Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankubu Minteh who took the headlines as they dismantled sorry Southampton 4-0 at St Mary's, it was Hinshelwood who stood out most for me.

Having helped Brighton dominate in midfield in their two previous wins over Chelsea, Hinshelwood was redeployed against the Saints. He took over at right-back in place of the unavailable Joel Veltman.

Southampton were admittedly woeful. But the one player who looked capable of causing Brighton problems was Kamaldeen Sulemana down the Saints' left.

Not only was Sulemana expertly shackled by Hinshelwood, but the teenager born and bred in Brighton even found the time to pop up with the fourth Albion goal.

Already, Hinshelwood looks an absolute technician. But it is his versatility that marks him out as special enough to warrant England inclusion.

How many other 19-year-olds can seamlessly switch from central midfield to right-back? Or left-back, which is where Hinshelwood started the campaign?

Roberto de Zerbi said last season Hinshelwood was the son of Pascal Gross. It is not hard to see why. Both can play multiple roles. Both score goals no matter what position they are playing in. And both glide around the pitch, making football look effortless.

Gross had to wait until he was 32 to make his Germany debut. Hinshelwood's for England will surely come much sooner. Maybe as soon as next month - if Tuchel has been paying attention.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external