Brighton & Hove Albion

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

After a much happier experience away at Nottingham Forest compared to the 7-0 shambles of 10 months ago, someone asked me how Brighton find themselves fifth in the Premier League table.

My response? I do not know.

Through August, September and October, it did not feel like Brighton played particularly well.

There were good 20-minute spells here and there. But stringing together one 90-minute performance was beyond the Albion, let alone putting together two, three or four in a row. Some supporters were even starting to publicly question Fabian Hurzeler.

Yet here we are, a third of the way through the campaign with Brighton firmly in the battle for a Champions League spot, having got there almost unnoticed.

They say the sign of a good team is winning games when not playing particularly well. How about being three points off second place in the toughest league in the world without playing particularly well?

And if the Albion can ride so high in the standings having rarely hit top gear, imagine what might happen when they do? Well, we got a glimpse of that at the City Ground on Sunday, in what was arguably the best display of the campaign.

Brighton have a woeful record against Sean Dyche-managed sides and Forest has never been the happiest of hunting grounds, even before the cricket score last season - and they were coming off the back of a 3-0 win at Liverpool.

Yet Albion set a new benchmark at Forest. Play like that for the rest of the season and there will be no mystery in trying to explain a fifth-place finish come the end.

It will have been well-earned. I might have to start laying the groundwork now with my partner over the potential lack of summer holidays as annual leave will instead need saving for the Champions League.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Brighton players took to social media to react to Sunday's important 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest.

The victory moved Brighton up to fifth with 22 points from 13 games, above Sunderland on goal difference and only three behind second-placed Manchester City.

Teenage Greece striker Stefanos, 19, Tzimas has previously scored twice in the Carabao Cup but got his first Premier League goal when he capitalised on a poor defensive header from Morato with two minutes left.

The strike meant Brighton have become the first team in Premier League history to have two different Greek players score a goal for the club in the same season - Charalampos Kostoulas scoring the other in Brighton's 4-2 win against Manchester United

It was also the eighth time a Brighton substitute has netted in the Premier League this season - more than any other team.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Andy: There are no easy games. Two lapses of concentration cost us a point, but fair play to Brighton.

Greg: I'm sorry but Sean Dyche started with a negative line-up and it allowed Brighton to dictate the game. Second-half team changes should have started the match. Omari Hutchinson put them under immediate pressure. We were unlucky not to get an equaliser and the late goal by Brighton just summed up the lack of depth of quality in defence. This is a big problem for the Reds. As soon as Murillo is absent, we look suspect at the back - it needs fixing in the next transfer window.

John: Another yo-yo result from Forest. We'll probably escape relegation only because there are three worse sides.

Tom: Forest played solidly, but it just was not their day. Hopefully Murillo will be back soon but I am confident they can bounce back next game regardless.

Brighton fans

Grumpyman: Excellent performance. We were all over them, especially in the first 20 minutes. Great to see the two signings score and Dunk and Van Hecke were immense when they were pressing and threatening to equalise. So nice to banish that distant 7-0 memory...

Paul: A good, solid performance from the Seagulls. They created some good opportunities in the first half and could have been home and dry by half-time. They knew Forest would come back at them and they defended superbly. Dunk was imperious and Minteh chased and chased. Good to see the young lads De Cuyper and Tzimas notch up some goals. Not concerned about losing Baleba, who hasn't been at the races for the team this season - his head is elsewhere and on higher things.

Chris: Very pleased that there was no hangover from the 7-0 drubbing last year! Well done to the boss for the intelligent set-up and substitutions.

Ray: At last, Brighton win a game they could easily have lost!

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton forward Danny Welbeck was quick to highlight the influence of captain Lewis Dunk after Sunday's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The defender has long been central to Brighton's identity, but Welbeck suggested his impact is still underestimated outside the club.

"He was incredible," Welbeck told BBC Radio Sussex. "Sometimes it goes amiss from spectators watching the game how good Lewis Dunk. What he brings to Brighton, what he brings to the team and his performance levels - a lot of his stuff goes under the radar.

"He is an incredible leader. He does it through his performances on the pitch, how he's in training every single day and his character around the place.

"He makes everybody feel comfortable. He brings that comfort on to the pitch as well for the players around him. I'm proud to call him my skipper."

Welbeck also reached a major personal milestone at the City Ground, marking his 500th club appearance.

Reflecting on the achievement, he said: "It's a special moment for me. But it's something you don't really take on until you're finished and look back.

"At the moment, I am pleased to get the win. It's nice to hear you've got 500 club appearances - but on to the next one."

Hear more from Welbeck on BBC Sounds

And also listen to an interview with Maxime de Cuyper reflecting on the win at Forest

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

There's a London derby as Chelsea take on Arsenal, Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace, and struggling Wolves make the short journey to Aston Villa. Elsewhere, West Ham entertain Liverpool and Nottingham Forest face Brighton.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 1-0 Wolves

• Nottingham Forest 0-2 Brighton

• West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

• Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Stefanos Tzimas has had to wait for his chances at Brighton but he seized one with both hands in the Seagulls' impressive 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

Replacing in-form Danny Welbeck in the 65th minute, the 19-year-old Greek striker capitalised on a poor defensive header from Forest centre-back Morato to seal his side's victory with two minutes remaining at the City Ground.

His first-ever Premier League goal helped Fabian Hurzeler's side move up to fifth place in the standings and stretch their unbeaten run to four games.

A Greece Uner-21 international, Tzimas joined Brighton from Nuremberg for £20.8m last summer and made an impression early by scoring twice in a 6-0 win against Oxford United in the League Cup in August.

He made his Premier League the following month as a substitute at Bournemouth but is yet to start a league fixture for the Seagulls.

In fact, his 25-minute cameo at Nottingham was his longest appearance for the club in the league after his debut that lasted 23 minutes.

The Greek forward scored 12 goals for Nuremberg in the German second division during the 2024-25 season and having now opened his account in the English top flight, he will be eager for a bigger role in Brighton's push for European football.

With Welbeck in fine form and competition fierce, Tzimas might face a fight for regular minutes but on this evidence, Hurzeler has another exciting option to turn to in attack.

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's victory against Nottingham Forest: "I think we are happy with the result. The first half the performance also because we dominated against a good opponent, we controlled the game, created chances, defended quite well. In the second half we suffered a bit but stuck together and defended the box quite well. I thought in the end it was a deserved win."

On the chances they created in the first half: "They were great chances. We always want to score but you need to create chances to score. We were good in structure and therefore we are happy with the performance. Goals are the most important and we weren't able to score but we stayed patient and kept defending. We always were very stable in the defence and therefore a clean sheet was so important in this phase. This was crucial."

On Stefanos Tzimas scoring: "We are all happy for him because he is a hard worker and deserved it. He is adapting. Everyone in the locker room was really happy for him. He's a great character and a great football player. If he keeps pushing he can be a good player for us this season."

On whether last season's defeat was motivation: "In general what you can say is that we are players with big self confidence and personality on the pitch today. There was something in the air we needed to clear not only for us but the supporters. Overall it was a different game with different players. We got on the pitch with players who had great character and I think that was the main thing."

On how he feels Brighton are doing this season: "We don't use the word momentum because every game is hard work and you start always from point zero. I see a team that sticks together, a team that's working hard, a team that's getting an understanding more and more for each other. It takes time. We are still not where we want to be but it's a process and we focus on that. Every Premier League game is hard and that's what we have to do."

Did you know?

Brighton and Hove Albion attempted nine shots in the opening 20 minutes of the match, their most ever in the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League match. Overall, the last team to attempt more in this time period in an away match was Manchester City against Fulham in March 2019 (12).

Listen to Hurzeler's chat with BBC Radio Sussex here

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

Have your say on Forest’s performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche makes one change from the side that defeated Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield last week.

Murillo, who was withdrawn late on in the win against Malmo in the Europa League on Thursday, misses the matchday squad as Morato replaces him. But Morgan Gibbs-White is back in the starting line-up after sitting out the visit of the Swedish side.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Morato, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Dominguez, Jesus, Milenkovic, Savona.

Subs: Victor, Hudson-Odoi, Kalimuendo, Hutchinson, Yates, Cunha, McAtee, Boly, Abbott.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler springs two changes from the side that defeated Brentford 2-1 last week.

Lewis Dunk and Maxim De Cuyper return to the starting 11 as Olivier Boscagli and Carlos Baleba take their places on the bench.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Rutter, Minteh, Welbeck, Kadioglu, Gomez, Ayari, Wieffer, De Cuyper.

Subs: Steele, Gruda, Tzimas, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Kostoulas, Boscagli, Veltman, Coppola.

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Manchester United (12:00)

• Aston Villa v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• West Ham v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Arsenal (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:05 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction from the first four games here

And go here for Chelsea v Arsenal

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Wolves" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

What a phenomenal result for Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche at Anfield last week.

People can talk about Liverpool's lack of form as much as they like, but Forest deserve huge credit there.

This is a tough game to call, though, because I always fancy Brighton to score a goal or two.

The Seagulls have only won once away from home all season, but that just makes me think they are going to get a result.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest go in search of a third consecutive league win when they entertain a Brighton side who lost 7-0 when they visited the City Ground in February. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:05 GMT).

Forest on fire in front of goal

Back-to-back victories mean Forest begin the weekend outside the bottom three, with the manner of their 3-0 win at Liverpool suggesting Sean Dyche's side have more than enough quality to steer clear of a relegation fight and achieve mid-table security.

This will be Dyche's fifth Premier League game in charge, equalling the short-lived reign of predecessor Ange Postecoglou. So far, it is an appointment which has delivered a dramatic improvement.

Forest took just one point from the 15 available under Postecoglou, but have already claimed seven from a possible 12 with Dyche at the helm.

Perhaps more surprisingly, goals are flowing freely under the Englishman. The Reds have scored eight times in his four league matches, including three against both Leeds and Liverpool. The last time they won three Premier League games in a row whilst scoring three goals in each victory was 30 years ago.

How resilient Albion learnt from Forest thrashing

Brighton marked Fabian Hurzeler's 50th Premier League game in charge with another come-from-behind victory against Brentford, though the head coach had to watch from the stands because of a suspension.

The 32-year-old will be back in the dugout this weekend at the City Ground, the scene of a 7-0 defeat last season - the Seagulls' heaviest league loss since 1958.

It is to Hurzeler's credit that Brighton responded to that thrashing by winning their next six matches in all competitions, eventually finishing the season strongly in eighth place. The German said this week that while the mauling from Forest was a "terrible defeat", the lessons learned actually helped the club's long-term development.

Resilience certainly appears to be in Albion's DNA right now, with the club having won 10 points from losing positions this term, the highest figure in the top flight prior to the latest round of fixtures.

Danny Welbeck was on target as Brighton recovered from a goal down last weekend, taking his tally to seven in this season's Premier League. The evergreen 35-year-old scored 10 top-flight goals last term, the first time he has reached double figures, but is already well on the way to beating that figure.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In Thursday's news conference, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler had high praise for midfielder Yasin Ayari, calling him "a very important player" who continues to improve "day by day."

The 22-year-old, who signed from AIK Solna in January 2023, has started all but two of Brighton's 12 Premier League games this season, scoring one goal - and that a screamer against Tottenham Hotspur.

His transition from the bench to being one of Hurzeler's trusted starting players is a reflection of his development on and off the pitch in the last 18 months.

In the summer of 2024, I questioned where Ayari might fit into then newly-appointed Hurzeler's plans after completing two undistinguished loans with Championship outfits Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers.

He was signed with a view for the future and it seems now that Brighton's recruitment team have yet again come up trumps.

Last season, Ayari made 34 Premier League appearances with a combined minutes total of 1,968. Already in 2025-26, he has accumulated almost half that total - 963 minutes.

He has also established himself as first choice for Sweden and now has 17 caps for his country.

"He has the physicality and mental resilience to always be available," said Hurzeler. "That is a key thing in the Premier League, to have resilience against injuries."

One area of his game they will be looking to improve is his goal contributions.

He has scored four goals for Brighton to date, making one assist, but he has shown he is more than capable of doing so with the calibre of those he has netted.

"He always wants to improve and make the next step," added Hurzeler. " He is a good listener. He lives for football. You can feel that when you see him and how he wants to get better. That is how you develop as a young player.

"That is why he is a very important player for us. He is improving day-by-day and that is key for us."

Last season was Ayari's breakthrough season in the sense that he earned his place in the Brighton squad.

But this campaign feels like he is proving his value to the team and head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

And at just 22, there is every reason to be excited by what he can go on to do.

On a bonus episode of Albion Unlimited, former Brighton boss Chris Hughton has been reflecting on his time in charge of the Seagulls.

Hit play below to see him discuss his first impressions of defender Lewis Dunk, who he said offered an "unusual" quality.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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

During his chat in depth chat with Johnny Cantor to discuss mental health campaign 'Shining a Light on Suicide', former Brighton manager Chris Hughton also reflected on his time as Seagulls boss.

• Visit Shining a Light on Suicide, external

Hughton was in charge from late 2014 to 2019, taking the club from the Championship relegation zone to promotion to the Premier League in 2017 and two seasons of safety in the top flight.

"I keep myself busy and I'm about and about all the time and I bump into a lot of Brighton supporters," Hughton said.

"For any thoughts that I might have forgotten something, there's always someone who's going to remind me.

"Incredibly proud moment for me in my career. I can remember getting the job and my first recollection was coming into a wonderful training ground, which was only six months old. The team was in the bottom three in the Championship when I took over, but I remember walking into the place and thinking it never felt that way.

"It had just been one of those seasons - the recruitment in the summer had not worked out very well. First and foremost, it was about trying to bring some confidence into the team, trying to get some wins, and trying to finish the season in the best way we could to let us develop the next season.

"As regards memories, I have so many fond ones.

"Promotion is so difficult, such a big effort, so many things you have to get right.

"There wasn't one moment where I thought it's definitely going to happen now but "there is a moment you think you're heading in the right direction and that was after my first season.

"That summer, we had to do a lot of work in recruitment and we had so many good conversation with the head of recruitment and the owner."

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

A bonus edition of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.

Former Brighton manager Chris Hughton sits down with Johnny Cantor to discuss mental health campaign 'Shining a Light on Suicide'.

He also talks at length about his time in charge at Amex Stadium, picking out his highlights and his challenges.

Listen to the full episode here

Read about it on BBC News

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

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

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at The City Groud (kick-off 14:05 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler said "all the players who were available last weekend are still available," which is "positive news".

• James Milner and Karou Mitoma are "getting close" to a return with Hurzeler confident both will be back before Christmas.

• On opponents Forest: "Their style of play is quite effective so you have to be switched on for 90 minutes, be strong in set-pieces and be intense. It's a fight. A big battle there. They know how to win games and have very experienced players on the pitch."

• He said Brighton replicate different game scenarios in training, but the reason they are scoring late goals "is all about mindset and belief in our own quality".

• On Baleba going off at half-time against Brentford: "We try to develop every player. We are trying to get him back to his best level step by step without putting him under pressure. Of course, he wants to play well. Sometimes you need to be patient, other times demanding and ruthless, but it is about creating the right support around him to give him the right help."

• He said Yasin Ayari "is improving day by day" and his "professional work ethic" is the reason "he is so important" to Brighton this season.

You can listen to more from Hurzeler here

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood spoke to the Albion Unlimited podcast about Saturday's goalscoring return against Brentford - his first game in over two months: "My season probably hasn't got going yet. I was a bit unlucky with the way that the injury panned out against Bournemouth.

"It's been 10 weeks now and I've been grinding away in the background, supporting the boys from every angle and to be back out there amongst it is really amazing and I hope it continues.

"My girlfriend at home is probably as delighted as I am that I'm back playing! It's a lonely place when you're injured. I feel for some of the boys, like Solly [March] and Webby [Adam Webster]. These times are hard so we really have to stick together, but we know when we come back you get moments like this, which make every dark day worth it.

"If we continue showing that character [as against Brentford] going forward, it's going to be an exciting season for us. We've just got to keep this momentum going now and really demand from each other day in, day out and make sure our standards stay high.

"It could be a really exciting period for the rest of the season."

Listen to Hinshelwood's interview and the rest of the episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.

Jack Hinshelwood speaks about his goalscoring return to action and BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson joins the show to preview Sunday's trip to the City Ground.

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

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

Nottingham Forest have identified Brighton's 20-year-old English midfielder Jack Hinshelwood among a number of possible January transfer targets. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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