Are Brighton better equipped for a European campaign?published at 09:24 12 March
09:24 12 March
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Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo has compared the Seagulls team under Roberto de Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler.
Speaking to the Albion Unlimited podcast, Virgo said: "As a team, I think we saw more style of play under De Zerbi. I think we are still trying to see the identity under Hurzeler.
"As a squad, I think they couldn't cope with the FA Cup, Europa League and Premier League [under De Zerbi]. The dream is to get into Europe, but when you get there it might be too early.
"Squad-wise, I think we are now in a much better position, but starting 11 wise I would still pick De Zerbi's team.
"It's a matter of time [with Hurzeler], he has had more injuries to deal with. When this team clicks, you see really good football."
What is going under the radar at Brighton?published at 08:36 12 March
08:36 12 March
Brighton are through to the last eight of the FA Cup and still right in the mix to qualify for Europe, having put together an excellent run of results after that hammering at Nottingham Forest.
And there is no doubt plenty more going on that you know far more about than we do.
So tell us, what's one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about at Brighton but really should be?
🎧 Van Hecke and Virgo on Albion Unlimitedpublished at 19:41 11 March
19:41 11 March
The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast is available now on BBC Sounds.
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke discusses the Seagulls' impressive winning run and scoring his first goal for the club.
The team are also joined by former Albion skipper Adam Virgo, who talks about the strength of the Brighton squad, their European learning curve, the club's "best chance" of winning the FA Cup and Saturday's trip to Manchester City.
Pedro's last-minute goal joins the Brighton history bookspublished at 12:20 11 March
12:20 11 March
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
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In every season where Brighton achieve something special, there tends to be an unforgettable last-minute goal.
The 2010-11 League One title winning campaign had Liam Bridcutt crashing home a volley against Carlisle United to the now legendary "it's the stuff of dreams - the stuff of champions" commentary of Johnny Cantor on BBC Radio Sussex.
Glenn Murray delivered an early Christmas present in 2016, scoring a last-gasp winner at Birmingham City in the Championship promotion year.
Two seasons ago and a last gasp Alexis Mac Allister penalty saw off Manchester United at Amex Stadium.
That day, the roar that greeted the goal was so loud it could be heard the other side of Brighton as the Albion moved within touching distance of European qualification for the first time ever.
Saturday saw the 2024-25 version of Bridcutt, Murray and Mac Allister. With virtually the last kick of the game, Joao Pedro beat Bernd Leno from the spot.
Not only did it end a winless run against Fulham stretching back eight years but it moved Brighton to within a point of the Champions League places.
Victory away at Manchester City this weekend would take the Albion above the four-in-a-row champions going into the international break.
It was surreal to hear pundits on BBC Match of the Day openly discussing Brighton's top four chance - especially as just five weeks earlier, they were picking over the bones of a humiliating 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The reaction to that sorry afternoon by the banks of the River Trent has been phenomenal.
If it somehow ends up carrying the Albion into the Champions League, Brighton's biggest league defeat in 57 years will end up being seen as the catalyst for arguably the biggest achievement in the club's history.
Brighton 2-1 Fulham - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:27 10 March
11:27 10 March
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We asked for your thoughts on Brighton's Premier League game against Fulham.
Here are some of your comments:
Brighton fans
Tim: Fantastic three points. Managed to find a way without playing our best. First win against Fulham in Premier League at such an important time. If we can keep winning against the teams around us who knows how high in the league we can finish. Come on Albion!
Oscar: What a game! Brighton were better than Fulham by a country mile. Definitely a pen. Joao Pedro slotted it home and gave us the win. Brighton marching on to Europe again.
Mike: Great to see us being so dogged to secure the win. That penalty was earned through sheer effort and determination not to accept a draw. Fulham are a good side and these are the games we used to lose and draw, so we are showing a side of us that we've struggled to find before.
Adrian: Brighton have a habit of playing well and not winning - switched now to winning without playing well! It's a great habit. I still don't know what our best team is, but that's not a bad thing either.
Fulham fans
Will: Absolutely heart breaking stuff. Harrison Reed has been with us for so long so it's devastating that he made the error. It's a big mountain for us to get Europe now but they are there to be climbed.
Graham: Why do refs not stick to the extra time as indicated at the end of 90 minutes? Brighton penalty was awarded at 96 minutes. Only five minutes extra time were indicated. Football should having timing the same as rugby union. At least it's fare and exact.
Ash: It's a terrible 'trait' passing the ball back towards your own goal when you have possession in the opposition half, happened too often against Brighton. Scott Parker team tactics were based around that. You can't hurt the opponents doing that. A wasted opportunity.
Bri: Sadly this result is summing up our season; one minute hope, next minute despair! Again the boys seemed sloppy, allowing Brighton too much space and depending almost on counter attacking. Mid-table security is OK, let's take that for now.
John: Terrible defending, a free header and a stupid tackle for the penalty. We will only ever be an average middle to bottom Premier League team if we play like that.
'We can beat anybody'published at 08:04 10 March
08:04 10 March
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Jan Paul van Hecke spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after scoring his first goal for Brighton against Fulham:
"I have a pain in my neck! [from scoring the goal]. I'm really happy that I could score my first goal and hopefully more to come."
On the reasons behind the recent upturn in form: "Everyone works really hard and you can see every game the effort we put in. With a combination of good players and a good plan, you can come really far and be hard to beat.
"We need to make sure we work really hard, put the effort in and we can beat anybody."
Image source, Getty Images
