'Doctor Albion' helps another clubpublished at 12:27 15 April
12:27 15 April
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton was nothing more than a small fishing village until the 18th century, when people began flocking to the town for the medicinal benefits believed to come from drinking and bathing in its seawater.
Fast forward 300 years or so and it is football teams who head to Brighton to cure ailments.
Lost nine games in a row? Not scored a Premier League goal for 830 minutes? Amex Stadium is the place to go.
Leicester became the latest to benefit from seeing Doctor Albion about their issues, breaking both their long losing streak and three-month wait to put the ball in the back of the net in a Premier League game.
This season is going to end with a significant gap between the relegation zone and the rest of the division. It is therefore fair to suggest this is collectively the worst bottom three since the Premier League came into being back in 1992.
And the Seagulls have not beaten one of them at home. Ipswich and Southampton also left Sussex with draws.
An appointment with Doctor Albion helped the Tractor Boys keep their first clean sheet of the season and claim their first away point in September. Saints ended a run of nine consecutive away defeats at the Amex in November.
Had Brighton beaten all three soon-to-be-relegated sides at home, they would be one point off the Champions League spots currently. If the Albion miss out on Europe this season, it is this failure to beat struggling opponents at home which will be most costly.
And it is why the remainder of the season looks troublesome. An outsider might look and think Brighton are in a good position with Liverpool and Newcastle the only top-10 sides left to play.
But Albion fans know that means four of their final six matches are the sort of games Fabian Hurzeler is yet to find a way to win. Now would be a good time to change that...
Brighton 2-2 Leicester - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:52 14 April
10:52 14 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on the 2-2 draw between Brighton and Leicester in the Premier League.
Here are some of your comments:
Brighton fans
Stuart: One of the worst performances I've seen at the Amex. Dunk was really poor, and I love Hinshelwood, but he's not a right-back - he is constantly out of position. Too many passes on the edge of the box, please just shoot. Leicester deserved the point.
Jas: As awful as it was predictable. There weren't many Brighton fans turning up expecting us to win. The squad is ravaged by injuries, Dunk very sadly no longer good enough for this level and a head coach that's just been given a role too big for him. Any talk of Europe has to stop as we should just hope we can finish in the top half. It's been a really underwhelming season. Need it to be over quickly!
Anton: See it so many times, great play and clever moves until it gets to the last strike, then it all goes wrong. We have missed a ton of goals season after season which should have been converted. Watching us move the ball with clever calculated passes, great intelligent game play and sometimes an almost second sight, just to be let down in front of goal.
Leicester fans
Brad: Who is this Leicester side?! Couldn't score if our lives depended on it! And yet on Saturday they played like a team that had something to fight for! Let's hope we can now end this season on a bit of a high.
Mick: Mavididi our best player - why hasn't the manager used him this season? There's a half decent team in there somewhere but Van Nistelrooy hasn't got a clue what his best team is, nor can he inspire them to fight for the club whose shirt they are wearing.
Dave: A much better performance from the lads and on another day with a different referee we may have won the game. Coady penalty was harsh, Mavididi not given a penalty when his opponent had his hands around the neck/throat and his face. Encouraging signs, but we had them against West Ham too just after Ruud arrived.
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 13:39 13 April
13:39 13 April
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.
Brighton's European hopes diminish with Leicester drawpublished at 18:44 12 April
18:44 12 April
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton's only appearance in Europe came during the 2023-24 season after Roberto de Zerbi guided them to the Europa League with a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.
It was the first time in their 122-year history that the Seagulls had qualified for a European competition, which ended with them losing to Roma in the last 16 after topping a group that had AEK Athens, Ajax and Marseille.
On the back of a summer where Fabian Hurzeler spent around £200m on nine new signings and with England earning an extra fifth spot in the Champions League, this season was a great opportunity for Brighton to push for a European spot.
But their 2-2 draw against strugglers Leicester City, who had not won in eight games before Saturday, might have left them with a tall order in their bid to finish among the top seven places in the league.
The Seagulls have now lost two and drawn two of their past four league outings while also exiting the FA Cup after a cruel defeat by Nottingham Forest.
EFL Cup winners Newcastle United and leaders Liverpool are among the six opponents left to come for Hurzeler's side.
But Brighton will believe they are still in with a chance to reach Europe with the duo the only top-half opponents they will face between now and end of the season.
'It was not a mature performance and we didn't deserve more'published at 17:42 12 April
17:42 12 April
Image source, Getty Images
Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's draw against Leicester: "Very disappointed, very frustrating because it was not a mature performance, we were too naive. We didn't act like we should. We didn't deserve more.
"It's not about the chances, it's about defending and not conceding a goal and doing the basics right. Today we weren't able to do the basics right and we were not able to win the game. We weren't able to deal with the second goal we conceded and that's something we can't accept.
"We were not mature enough, were too naive and we have to move on. The season is not over yet, we have to show a reaction because this cannot continue."
Did you know?published at 17:21 12 April
17:21 12 April
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton and Hove Albion have dropped 20 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, the second time they've dropped as many in a single campaign in the competition after 2020-21 (25).
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Leicesterpublished at 11:09 12 April
11:09 12 April
If you ever want a game to get back on track, just play Leicester.
They have lost eight successive league games without scoring, and that run is not going to end here.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was a dreadful appointment as manager but I do not blame him nor his predecessor, Steve Cooper, for the Foxes' awful season because there is a deeper underlying problem at the club.
It did not help, then, that the players seemed to think - and probably still do - that they are better than they are.
The fans were expecting too much from this season too, but I doubt that is the case any more, because their team has been so feeble.
Brighton have taken only one point from their past three matches so they need a win to boost their hopes of finishing in the European places.
I have absolutely no doubt they will get it - the only question is how many will they score.
Semi-automated offsides a 'step in right direction' but take 'with a pinch of salt'published at 11:07 12 April
11:07 12 April
Image source, Getty Images
There are lots of different perspectives in terms of how you watch a game of football, and I think for the majority of time the people in the stadium get the best atmosphere, but the worst views of how a game has actually gone.
You don't really get the chance to see multiple replays and have discussions about things, because you just get caught up in the moment.
With the incoming semi automated offsides, they did promise it earlier in the season - but I think the caveat was they're only going to do it when it's ready.
It is a positive that they didn't do it when it wasn't ready.
One upside to to the new technology is some of the arguments disappear. Previously you could say 'but it looks like it's this to me' or 'it looks like it's that to me'. When it is presented now, there aren't many people that will then be looking at the animation, going back to the video, and then going down a proper conspiracy rabbit hole.
So, it ends more arguments, not all arguments, but more arguments.
I think people, as a consequence, will be more accepting of it.
But, I still do believe that there's things for people to understand, because it can't be used in every situation. There are certain decisions which can still be a little bit more complex, and there's certain times where human intervention will still need to be brought in.
I wouldn't say it's as clear as, say, goal line technology, but it's a step in the direction to where most people feel more comfortable accepting the outcome and the speed of it as well will be encouraged.
It's not to say that it's going to be instant. If you believe this is going to be perfect, and always extremely fast, ask yourself, why do you think that?
Unless somebody has told you that from PGMOL, then take it with a pinch of salt and you see how it goes.
I think it's something that many people have seen before so hopefully there will be fewer arguments.
But, because it's football, there'll always be something to argue about the end of the day.
Hurzeler on Mitoma, 'role model' Welbeck and Van Hecke replacementpublished at 10:29 11 April
10:29 11 April
Josh Lobley BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leicester (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler says there are "no big changes" regarding squad availability, but Kaoru Mitoma is a doubt.
He says there are "different options" to replace the suspended Jan Paul van Hecke in defence: "[Eiran] Cashin will be one for sure, Mats Wieffer has played there already and Carlos Baleba is an option. Let's see how they do in training and make a decision."
Hurzeler added that a change in formation on Saturday is also a possibility to help replace Van Hecke.
On Saturday's opponents: "It doesn't matter if we might be the better team, we still have to be the challenger in every game. We have to be ready to make important decisions and it's about hard work."
Danny Welbeck is now Brighton's top scorer in Premier League history and Hurzeler spoke highly on his influence in the team: "He is a leader on and off the pitch and a role model for his behaviour. I am very happy that he's in good shape. This record is not just because he is a good player, it is because of hard work."
Hurzeler also gave an assessment of Yankuba Minteh's first season at the club: "He has the right attitude - he tries to work hard and he is a good listener. I'm really happy that he is getting more involved in the goals but that is not the factor that I judge him on, it's about how he influences our game."
Brighton have won just 1.25 points per game in Premier League games against sides in the bottom three and have lost more (14) of these games than they have won (13).
Injuries and records - what key subjects are under the radar?published at 13:36 10 April
13:36 10 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on something no-one is currently talking about at Brighton, but should be.
Here are some of your comments:
Eric: Brighton are on course for record amount of points in the Premier League, plus they have already amassed a record number of points at this stage of the season. Well done lads. We're not a million miles away from a top five season!
Tony: We have still only lost eight games, so we could yet turn this into our best season in the Premier League.
Alastair: With the season drawing to a disappointing close, it's clear Brighton's inconsistency comes from the top. Fabian Hurzeler still doesn't know his best team. He has used more players than any other manager. The only other clubs to have used more are already-relegated Southampton and soon-to-follow Ipswich, while four of the current top five clubs have used the fewest players.
Steve: I believe the AMEX, although a wonderful place to watch football, is becoming a major problem with fans with regard to accessibility to and from Brighton on match days. Trains from Falmer are unreliable to say the least and packed like sardines. Maybe this is the reason season ticket uptake is far lower than in previous seasons despite relative success on the pitch.
Phil: Injuries - Brighton have been plagued by injuries for the second season running. Hurzeler doesn't talk about it which is commendable but Brighton have suffered the most injuries this season by some distance in the Premier League and have had seven or eight players out injured for most games, which is damaging. Three right backs injured for some months has left Brighton playing a central midfielder at right back and robbed the midfield of his qualities. This and other injuries must surely hurt European qualification hopes?
What's the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 16:04 9 April
16:04 9 April
Brighton's hopes of European qualification have been dented in recent weeks by a couple of Premier League defeats, which followed the club's exit from the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.
But is there something you have noticed slipping under the radar? We want you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that nobody seems to be talking about in relation to Brighton.
Crystal Palace defeat 'will motivate us more' - Hinshelwoodpublished at 14:24 9 April
14:24 9 April
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood talks to Albion Unlimited about using the pain of defeat against Crystal Palace to further motivate them for the visit of Leicester City on Saturday: "The loss is tough to take, but we have had a lot of setbacks that are usually followed by good responses, so I think we have to let this one hurt for a few days and then go back to the training pitch, work really hard and do what we know we do best.
"We had chances, they took their two opportunities and they were low blows but we responded well, in the second half we lacked a bit of cutting edge and I think we could have done more to test the keeper.
"There is still loads to play for. This is going to motivate us more. By the time Leicester come we will be raring to go because it's hurt us and hurt our fans.
"Come Saturday we will show a good response."
Full commentary of Brighton v Leicester City on BBC Radio Sussex on Saturday from 15:00 BST
Bonkers, brilliant and a British traditionpublished at 09:39 9 April
09:39 9 April
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Some matches are sophisticated, exciting and some are boring, but now and again you get the odd one that is just bonkers.
I popped down to Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace welcomed Brighton. Robustly. It wasn't that dirty but it still ended with nine men playing against 10.
The referee had obviously watched Everton's James Tarkowski not being sent off against Liverpool and noticed the referee that night being roundly criticised by everyone, including his own bosses at the PGMOL for not reaching for his red card.
So the man in the middle this time was not taking any chances and the flood of yellows turned quickly into reds.
Oddly I did not blame the officials. It was a tough match to keep on track and there were a load of difficult, marginal calls to make. In the end, nine-man Palace came out winners. Brighton's vague hopes of reaching the Champions League spots melted away in the south London sunshine and the home support celebrated that fact more than any goal on the day.
The age-old British football tradition of enjoying your fiercest rival's failure as much as your own success was effortlessly maintained. The most heartening thing about the entire day was the atmosphere that crackled noisily throughout.
Bigger clubs now bemoan the hollow atmosphere at many of their Premier League games and I wonder if this is at least a part of the reason why the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford are above Manchester United and Tottenham in the league table.
Visitors from abroad always want to go to the big stadiums with the most famous names, but more and more often that is not where you will get the most authentic, loudest and most passionate matchday experience.
How did Hurzeler and Glasner behave in the technical area this weekend?published at 07:59 9 April
07:59 9 April
George Booth BBC Sport journalist
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was an animated figure throughout - constantly moving in the technical area and never sitting down for long periods.
He did generally respect the white line, only leaving his technical area once in the first half, while in the final 10 minutes of the contest he was frequently interacting with the crowd in a bid to help his team over the line.
Fabian Hurzeler spent the majority of the first half outside his technical area, virtually inches away from the pitch, but was seated for most of the second half - despite the three red cards coming during this period.
When his side faced a defensive set-piece, assistant manager Jonas Scheuermann took control of the technical area, with Brighton's players often looking back to follow instructions.
The Brighton manager, with the help of his coaching staff, also interacted with fourth official Sam Allison throughout the game.
🎧 Albion Unlimited on BBC Soundspublished at 19:39 8 April
19:39 8 April
The latest episode of Albion Unlimited from BBC Radio Sussex is now available to listen to and download.
Brighton's Jack Hinshelwood speaks about how the defeat by Crystal Palace can be used as motivation for future games, while BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes discusses new signing Tom Watson.