Sussex

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Brighton deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber has bought a stake in the club.

Barber, who joined the club in 2012, has purchased newly issued shares and now owns 1.5% of the shares in existence.

Chairman Tony Bloom said: "Paul is a major driving force at the club, he has been integral to our incredible progress since his arrival in the summer of 2012 and we would like him to remain with us for many seasons to come.

"He has already committed to the club until at least 2030, and we wanted to offer him this opportunity to further commit, and also to recognise his level of service and loyalty to the club.

"I regard Paul as the best chief executive in football and I am delighted he is now a co-owner of the club."

Barber commented: "It is a minority and some way behind Tony's majority shareholding, but nonetheless I'm very proud indeed to co-own a small part of a football club I've come to love over the past 13 years."

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Serie A's emerging power Como 1907 are weighing up a move for Brighton defender Igor Julio.

The 27-year-old is on the Italian club's shortlist to strengthen their backline but no official offer has been lodged.

But the move could prove attractive with Como well-funded by US investors and now managed by legendary midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Sources say the Brazilian centre-back would need convincing to return to Italian football having joined Brighton from Fiorentina for £14.5m in 2023.

Yet, Igor has also struggled to establish himself on the south coast and made only 16 appearances last season under manager Fabian Hurzeler due to a mixture of injury and being left on the bench.

Igor started in the 6-0 win at Oxford United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening and it remains to be seen whether Brighton would welcome any offers.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League home game against Manchester City (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He is "unsure" whether Georginio Rutter will be available for the City game but he is "close" to returning.

• On the emphatic 6-0 Carabao Cup win: "It's so important as it gives you energy. You can feel it in the building today."

• Stefanos Tzimas, who scored twice on his senior debut, "will be an option" for the squad "soon" as "every goal gets him closer to the team".

• On so many players making their debuts against Oxford: "No player here gets a chance just because they are a player for us. They need to deserve it. That is what I demand from them. There is a big competition now [for places] and that is what I like."

• He said it is "a results business" and only getting two points from the opening two games is disappointing, but "long-term the results will come if we keep working".

• More on their start to the campaign: "I judge them by their work ethic and performance. I believe if you keep on working and have the best effort on the pitch then you will get what you deserve in the end."

• He said he is "very happy with the squad" but did not rule out any further incomings before the transfer window closes on Monday.

• In response to whether Carlos Baleba will 100% remain at the club: "Yes. If there was a number more than 100 then I would say that. I am confident."

• Julio Enciso "is back" to continue his rehabilitation as his reported move to Strasbourg appears to have fallen through.

• On opponents Manchester City: "They are still a top team. They are playing a little bit of a different style and shape, but they are still Manchester City."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Brighton v Manchester City on 5 Live from 14:00 BST on Sunday

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Brighton's 19-year-old forward Stefanos Tzimas says that it's important to "stay grounded" after Wednesday's 6-0 win over Oxford United in the League Cup.

Tzimas came off the bench to score twice and assist once on his first Albion appearance.

"I'm very happy about my debut," Tzimas said. "I scored two goals and managed to help the team but now we have to stay grounded and focused.

"I'm here to work hard, and the guys help me in training a lot. I'm settling well here, and it's a really good environment."

He also credited fellow Greek team-mate Charalampos Kostoulas for helping him feel at home.

"I knew him from Greece four years ago and it's very helpful because we're Greeks who help each other, and we feel better together," he added.

Listen to Tzimas and more Brighton reaction

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

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We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday night's Carabao Cup game between Oxford United and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: OK, it was Oxford United. Even so, a competent and expected win. The Greek boys looking good, but the jury should be out until they play against the big boys in the Premier League. A much needed win and a confidence booster for the games to come.

Raymond: Good to watch. Could have been eight or 10. Don't read too much into it but defence needs tightening in whatever team we put out.

Sarah: Jason Steele needs to be our number one!

Steve: Great performance giving the manager some serious pause for thought for team selection. Steele in goal was faultless and must be a contender to take over between the posts. Three goalscoring debutants, and Gruda giving a player of the match performance. Finally, Tzimas scoring two and looking like a proper striker! Exciting times ahead!

Mick: A good display against a very physical opposition. Some very good displays. Defence looked good and kept their shape well. The debutants acquitted themselves really well. Gruda was man of the match but Tzimas ran him close with two amazing goals. Begs the question why wasn't he on the bench on Saturday?

Peter: Fabulous display and it looks like we've got a decent number nine in Tzimas. Good displays all round and Gruda and Gomez were superb as well. Hopefully Fabian has seen enough to put Tzimas and Kostoulas in the league side.

Tony: It'll be interesting to see if Tzimas starts on Sunday. He's made quite the impact here.

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on the clinical 6-0 win over Oxford United in the second round of the Carabao Cup: "I think it's positive. We scored six goals, that's a positive thing.

"Of course, we were quite sloppy in some moments. It starts with the first action where we gave away an easy pass, so we invited them to score goals in the first half.

"In the second half we started strong. For the first 70 minutes we played a good game, we created chances. Then again, we had a lot of changes and after the substitutions we lost a bit of structure, but we have a brilliant goalkeeper in Jason Steele.

"Overall, we have to be positive. We created a lot of chances, we kept a clean sheet with a little bit of luck, with a great goalkeeper."

On the importance of having leaders like James Milner and Jason Steele: "I always emphasise how important leaders are for me and they are two great leaders on and off the pitch. They're not only great leaders, but they're also great players.

"I am very pleased with their performance, especially Jason, he made a lot of great saves. I always say we are very, very lucky to have such a good number two in our goal."

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The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup third round, with 15 Premier League clubs having made it through or entering at this stage.

There are two all-Premier League ties, while holders Newcastle host League One Bradford City.

Ties will take place across two weeks, beginning on 15 and 22 September.

All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below in the order they were drawn:

• Port Vale v Arsenal

• Swansea City v Nottingham Forest

• Lincoln City v Chelsea

• Tottenham Hotspur v Doncaster Rovers

• Brentford v Aston Villa

• Huddersfield Town v Manchester City

• Liverpool v Southampton

• Newcastle United v Bradford City

• Wolves v Everton

• Crystal Palace v Millwall

• Burnley v Cardiff City

• Barnsley v Brighton

• Fulham v Cambridge United

See the full draw

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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Brighton have only picked up one point from their opening two Premier League games so places in the team could well be up for grabs.

And while this was a fully changed team from their defeat by Everton, most of their XI were players who feature in the league – and then there were the youngsters who shone from the bench.

Boscagli struck the opener on his debut following his summer free transfer move from PSV Eindhoven. Gruda and Gomez have both scored for Fabian Hurzeler's team in the Premier League.

And then on came two 19-year-old signings - £20m Tzimas and £10m Watson – and £30m 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas.

Tzimas netted twice and set up Watson for number six.

Will some feature on Sunday against Manchester City? You have to imagine so.

Oxford have also started their league season poorly and are one of three EFL teams on zero points.

Their defending and their finishing were equally shocking here – they actually had more shots on target than Brighton managed.

Steele's 10 saves were the most any goalkeeper has had to make in a Carabao Cup tie since February 2024 - but most of those stops were routine.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Brighton's display?