Sussex

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Why did Brighton draw nil-nil with Ipswich? There is an obvious and logical explanation. The curse of the Manager of the Month.

Albion head coaches have a long and proud history of winning the award and then seeing their team's form fall off a cliff faster than Barry from EastEnders after being pushed over the edge by Janine.

Chris Hughton was the last Brighton boss to be named Manager of the Month back in February 2018. The Albion were on a run of three wins and a draw when Hughton picked up the gong. Which was immediately followed by an eight game, two month long winless streak.

Fabian Hurzeler now faces the challenge of breaking the curse. He also needs to find a way to help Brighton overcome sides who come to the Amex and set up ultra-defensively.

Non-believers in witchcraft might even say it is a bigger issue for Hurzeler than the curse, seeing as neither Graham Potter nor Roberto de Zerbi were able to overcome the defensive opposition.

The Albion under Potter were the Premier League’s Kings of xG (expected goals). While De Zerbi delivered far more goals and entertainment, his team too struggled to break through a low block.

Fulham, Sheffield United, Burnley, Wolves and Everton all left Sussex with something to show for their efforts last season having sat back and invited Brighton to crack their defences.

If the Albion want to challenge for Europe again this season, those are the games- and Ipswich at home is in that category, that the Seagulls need to be winning in 2024-25.

Hurzeler has already shown signs that he could be a very special manager. Do what his two predecessors couldn’t, and find a way to defeat opponents who park the bus, and he will be on his way to greatness.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton forward Georginio Rutter spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after making his full debut against Ipswich:

"It was important for my confidence to start, I enjoyed it. We are disappointed with the game, but we are still unbeaten and we have to take the positives. I enjoyed playing more [in front of the home crowd].

On settling into the club: "I know people speak about the price, but I just try to forget about the price and enjoy my football.

"The manager, all of the staff and all of the players know there is a bit of adaptation. It was a warm welcome when I came.

"Carlos Baleba [is helping him settle in], is a very good player, I speak with him and Simon [Adingra] as well, we speak French. I'm trying to improve my English and I speak with everyone."

On the step up to the Premier League: "When I was with Leeds, the Premier League was different. I didn't play a lot and it maybe wasn't a good moment for me. Now it's different. We have a good team and good atmosphere."

Listen to the full interview here on BBC Sounds

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

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Jonny: A really frustrating afternoon and a disappointing result against a team that still plays a League One style of football. I think we dodged a bullet not getting McKenna! No more direct free-kicks from Dunk please - it’s embarrassing! On a positive note, Baleba was exceptional again and Ferguson looked sharp. Hopefully Joao Pedro is back for the Nottingham Forest game...

Steve: Dominant and dynamic, but couldn't make that telling last pass in the final third. When this team has all the injured players available they will be a real force. Never looked like losing, and should have gained three points.

Bob: Usual stuff from us - loads of possession with little result in the way of goals. We lack a centre-forward who can challenge the opposition defence. No bite. Still, a point gained - but also two lost. Too many passes.

Ipswich fans

Archie: To a man, we defended excellently throughout. Struggled on the ball in the first half but grew into the game after the break. Plaudits will rightly go to Muric but Tuanzebe was just as good, having arguably his best game in a Town shirt. A great point away from home against a really strong side. That first win is coming...

Andy: I had a feeling we’d get something from this game. A point away at Brighton is a fantastic result. Confidence will be growing in the Ipswich camp as the players get more and more comfortable with each other and the Premier League.

Simon: Very resilient performance with Phillips looking decent and Muric was really solid. Hutchinson looked like he was trying too hard but he was lively. We're very combative with some attacking threat, especially when we bring the subs on later. We will stay up.

Gary Linker brings you highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa 3-2 Everton

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

It has been said that a player is never more highly thought of than when they are unavailable.

Joao Pedro has done a very good job of enhancing his reputation while he has been on the pitch this season but, as Brighton struggled to find a way past Ipswich, it grew that bit more.

Brighton played well for the most part and manager Fabian Hurzeler was adamant that they had created enough to win the match.

But the only clear cut chances came in the same passage of play in the first half when Georginio Rutter and then Kaoru Mitoma were thwarted by Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.

Beyond that, there were little more than half chances with a number of encouraging moves breaking down at the crucial moment due to a heavy touch or pass slightly behind an onrushing team-mate.

Yankuba Minteh looked a threat, particularly in the first half, while midfield pair Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari had moments of real quality.

Ultimately, though, when Brighton needed that moment of inspiration, a cool head and a quick mind to create that game-winning chance, they were found wanting.

That might still have been the case with Joao Pedro on the pitch but the Seagulls will be left with the nagging feeling that a knock on international duty might have cost them two points.

Image source, Getty Images

32.2% of Brighton’s Premier League games have been drawn (87/270), the highest share of any side to have played in more than one campaign in the competition.

This was Brighton’s 27th goalless draw in the Premier League, three more than any other side since they were promoted in 2017.