Brighton & Hove Albion

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Fabian Hurzeler reached the 50-game mark as Brighton head coach this weekend, a milestone that offers a meaningful sample of his impact since taking over at the Amex. In that time, the 32-year-old has delivered 21 wins, 17 draws and 12 defeats, with Brighton scoring 85 goals and conceding 75, collecting 80 points at an average of 1.6 per game.

It is a record that reflects both progress and volatility, but behind the scenes, Hurzeler's influence has been broader and deeper than the numbers alone suggest.

BBC Sport understands that the German coach has been intent on fostering a club-wide culture built not only on hard work and commitment, but also on constant improvement and development. This has been particularly evident in his approach to younger players, while he has been equally keen to lean on the experience and leadership of the senior figures within the dressing room.

Insiders tell BBC Sport that one of the most impressive aspects of Hurzeler's tenure has been his meticulous match preparation. His attention to detail - both in scouting opponents and in adjusting in-game - has been repeatedly highlighted by those within the club. His ability to influence matches with substitutions or react swiftly to opposition tweaks is seen as a significant strength, with Saturday's win over Brentford viewed internally as yet another example of this quality.

His influence stretches beyond the first team, too.

Hurzeler maintains a close relationship with the academy structure, with several youngsters regularly training with and in some cases featuring for the senior squad.

Nehemiah Oriola, Joe Knight and Harry Howell are regarded as some of the brightest prospects currently emerging from Brighton's pathway. Oriola and Knight both made their Premier League debuts in the 3-0 win over Leeds, while Knight also featured in the Carabao Cup victory over Barnsley earlier in the season.

Hurzeler has also played a major role in recruitment since the day he arrived, with that responsibility being a key factor in his decision to take the job. He invests considerable time in long-term squad building and is said to be central to the club's ongoing evolution in squad planning.

As Hurzeler completes his first 50 league games, the sense inside the club is of a head coach deeply embedded in every strand of Brighton's footballing identity and one whose long-term influence may prove just as important as the results on the pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after his penalty save helped Albion beat Brentford: "You prepare for penalties and have a plan, but if someone gets two penalties in one game then it changes the situation a little bit.

"It was more about intuition [for the second], so I am really happy. Luckily I made the right decisions.

"The first half was far below our level, but the second half was maybe one of the best 45 minutes we have played. We have to find more consistency to play that way for a full 90 minutes every week.

"That is the next step for our team and if we can do that, then we can do amazing things with the quality we have in the group."

Striker Danny Welbeck said the win felt "sweeter" after having to come from behind to secure the points.

The ex-Manchester United striker scored the equaliser in the 71st minute before Jack Hinshelwood grabbed the winner on his return from injury.

The 34-year-old now has seven goals in 12 Premier League appearances.

"It makes it all the sweeter," Welbeck told BBC Radio Sussex. "The scenes at the end showed our togetherness. It showed a will, desire, and motivation to be better.

"Our first-half performance wasn't good enough. In the second half we put it right.

"There were some stern words at half-time with everyone getting their point across, but I'm so pleased we came out and had the right reaction to get the three points."

Listen to Verbruggen's full interview on BBC Sounds

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

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Geoff: Carlos Baleba needs to be taken out of the spotlight - it is not fair on him or the team to keep selecting him. Good win in a game we would normally be expected to win, but haven't in the past.

Sam: Poor overall team performance from Brighton, but there was some individual brilliance from Yankuba Minteh with a clever finish from Danny Welbeck. To come from behind and win was the right result. We will take three points and move on.

Martin: Not our best performance. Looked like they'd all put on each other's boots in the first half. Brentford did what Brentford do: get a lucky goal and waste time, but class eventually won out.

Fran: I thought we seemed really sluggish and sloppy with our passing in the first half but improved in the second. We didn't give up and took the goals well. We definitely need to see a game out. It's not negative to put the ball out of play or send it into their half to clear the danger so late in a game. I can never understand why players try and play silly tippy-tippy passes around our own area. Just one slip or interception and you are punished. Still, a good three points.

Brentford fans

Tim: Completely bossed the first half, completely capitulated in the second. We didn't take the chances offered, and Brighton took theirs, so we deserved what we got. Too cumbersome in front of goal - why don't Bees strikers shoot anymore?

Will: Bees worked hard and the first half was good. Sat on the lead and we were punished. Substitutions all wrong again, Keith what are you thinking? Would it be time to give Reiss Nelson a go? Same substitutions most of the time away from home and the same result - beaten again.

Peter: We lack creativity and penetration in the final third. Only four shots on goal, including two penalties. Our midfield shape just looks wrong. Mikkel Damsgaard would be better if he had more space on the right-hand side.

Gavin: In the second half, it was difficult for Brentford to decide to stick or twist. Despite loads of possession Brighton were doing nothing with it, to the consternation of their fans. If it wasn't for the combined class of their best two players, Brighton may well have lost. Their winner was a mishit but Brentford should have equalised with the second penalty. However, Thiago looked like he was suffering from concussion in the second half and I wasn't surprised he missed it. The performance overall was par with the international players fading towards the end.

Sam Ashoo
Final Score reporter at Amex Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

They say dribbling is a dying art in football, but try telling that to Yankuba Minteh.

The Gambian winger is known in his home country as the 'Bakoteh Messi', and the way he twisted Brentford's Kristoffer Ajer inside out in the first half on Saturday was reminiscent of the great man in his prime.

There is more to Minteh's game than dribbling, as proven in the second half when his deep, looping cross perfectly found Danny Welbeck for the equaliser. Still not content with a point, the winger kept driving forward at every opportunity and played a major part in Jack Hinshelwood's winner.

There is often talk about how much Brighton miss Kaoru Mitoma, but in Minteh, they have a player who is just as capable of lighting up the Amex.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Rob Green join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle 2-1 Manchester City

• Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest

• Fulham 1-0 Sunderland

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Fabian Hurzeler - watching from the stands after picking up his third booking of the season - made history, becoming the youngest manager to reach 50 Premier League games (32 years and 269 days).

His side certainly did not produce a first-half performance to match that feat - a couple of comfortable saves for Caoimhin Kelleher were the closest they came.

Baleba attracted plenty of transfer interest in the summer after a superb 2024-25 campaign, but the avoidable penalty he conceded summed up his struggles this term. He was hooked at half-time.

Brighton did not look much better in the second half, until a moment of true quality from Minteh picked out the run of Welbeck who did what he does best.

A small section of the home support booed when Diego Gomez was replaced by Jack Hinshelwood with 20 minutes left, but Hurzeler's decision was justified when the 20-year-old found the bottom corner with a sweet strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Fellow substitute Maxim de Cuyper nearly threw the points away by bringing down Kevin Schade in the box, but goalkeeper Verbruggen made himself the hero by reading Igor Thiago's stuttering run-up and landing on the tamely hit penalty.

It has been a mixed season so far for Brighton, but the fight and spirit they showed extended their unbeaten home Premier League run to 10 games.

They have come back to win each of their past three league home games when trailing at half-time, the others being against Liverpool and Manchester City.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think we were the much better team through the whole game. We didn't create that many chances, but in the end, we have the right momentum in the game. We reacted well in the second half, and we always have to believe that we can score goals and turn a game around, and that's what we showed.

On Danny Welbeck: "We speak a lot about him during the season. He is like a good red wine, the older he gets, the better he gets, and we are very pleased to have him in our squad as a leader, as a player, as a personality."

On Carlos Baleba not hitting the heights of last season: "Not so far. We need to help him; that is our responsibility. We all agree he is still a young player. We all have to give young players the chance to have a bad phase; that is normal. Stay calm, keep working hard and have a good environment around him. That's what he has here, and we keep pushing him."

On Bart Verbruggen's penalty save: "Timing you can't learn, and I'm really happy that Bart was there and he saved that penalty. He plays a good season so far, and I think this gives him another confidence boost."

Midfielder Jack Hinshelwood to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm delighted to be back with the boys and to pop up with the goal. We ended up winning the game. I probably wouldn't be doing this interview if Bart [Verbruggen] didn't make that save, so I am delighted for him. Massively important that we got the three points today.

On Bart Verbruggen's penalty save: "I'm delighted for him. He went the wrong way for the first one, but to then go again and go the right way to make the save. Delighted for the team that we got the three points today."

"When we play Brentford, we know it is going to be a tough game. It is never straightforward playing them.

On Danny Welbeck: "You could talk about Welbz for a long time. He is unbelievable, a great character in the dressing room. Everyone loves him, and what he is doing week in, week out is unbelievable, and he is always there for us."

On representing Brighton: "It's special every time I pull on the shirt. I go out there and I just give my all. Sometimes I'm going to make mistakes, but I just love playing for this club and every time I step on the pitch I give 110%."

Did you know?

• Brighton have come back to win each of the last three Premier League home games when they've trailed at half time (v Liverpool, Manchester City and Brentford); the first side to do so in three in a row since Manchester City between May 2022 and January 2023 (3).

• This was Fabian Hurzeler's 50th Premier League match in charge of Brighton and Hove Albion – at the age of 32 years and 269 days, he's the youngest manager to reach 50 games in the competition's history, breaking Chris Coleman's record (34 years, 107 days).

Listen to Hurzeler and Hinshelwood on BBC Sounds

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

• Have your say on Brighton's performance

• What do you think of Brentford's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Fabia Hurzeler makes one change to the Brighton side that drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace before the international break, with Olivier Boscagli preferred in central defence to Lewis Dunk.

Kaoru Mitoma remains out with an ankle issue, while top scorer Danny Welbeck leads the line.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Baleba, Ayari, Minteh, Rutter, Gomez, Welbeck.

Subs: Steele, Dunk, Gruda, Tzimas, Hinshelwood, Kostoulas, De Cuyper, Veltman, Coppola.

Keith Andrews makes a single change to the Brentford side that beat Newcastle 3-1 a couple of weeks ago.

Aaron Hickey drops to the bench and is replaced in defence by Kristoffer Ajer.

Midfielder Fabio Carvalho sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training last week and will miss the rest of the season.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Ajer, Yarmolyuk, Henderson, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade, Thiago.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Nelson, Onyeka, Lewis-Potter, Janelt.

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

• Burnley v Chelsea (12:30)

• Bournemouth v West Ham

• Brighton v Brentford

• Fulham v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Crystal Palace

• Newcastle v Manchester City (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Man City", for instance.

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

Brentford were seen as one of the favourites for relegation before the season started, but they have surprised a few people under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their past four games.

My son told me to get Bees striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy football team a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.

Thiago will probably score again on Saturday but I am still not going to pick him or back Brentford at Amex Stadium.

They have not had much success on the road this season, and Brighton are always decent at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler celebrates an early career milestone against a Brentford side gaining momentum under Keith Andrews. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match.

The Seagulls sit 11th in the table but have lost only one of their past seven league matches and shown signs of tightening up defensively, giving them the chance to record three consecutive clean sheets for the first time in the top flight since August 2022.

In their last game, a goalless draw at Crystal Palace, head coach Fabian Hurzeler named an unchanged starting line-up for the first time in the Premier League, saying he wanted "consistency".

However, the German indicated that rotation will remain part of his approach, explaining: "After the international break, the crunch time is starting and we need all of the players."

Hurzeler, 32, will take charge of his 50th Premier League match this weekend, becoming the youngest manager to reach the milestone.

He will be only the third boss to reach his half-century before turning 35, following Chris Coleman with Fulham in 2004 and the late Gianluca Vialli for Chelsea in 1999.

Thiago's goals key for improving Bees

Brentford have won four of their past six league games, including three of the previous four, taking them six points clear of the relegation zone.

However, that improvement has largely been built on home form, with 13 of their 16 points won at Gtech Community Stadium.

Their only points on the road so far came in last month's 2-0 win at West Ham.

The departures of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa - last season's joint top scorers - raised doubts about the Bees' attacking threat, but Igor Thiago's emergence is dispelling those concerns.

Injury ruined the Brazilian's first season in England following a £30m move from Club Brugge, but the 24-year-old is proving his worth in the current campaign.

His tally of eight Premier League goals is second only to Erling Haaland this term, while his shot-conversion rate of 32% is also among the best figures in the league.

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League will from next season move to a new system of Financial Fair Play (FFP) based on squad costs.

The clubs met in London on Friday to vote on three possible methods of replacing Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) got 14 votes in favour and six against, which is the minimum number that is required to exact a rule change.

Overall squad costs from next season will have to be limited to 85% of a club's revenue, although teams competing in Europe will have to adhere to Uefa's maximum of 70%.

Squad costs comprise player and manager wages, transfer fees and agents' fees.

Rules around sustainability, which set out a club's financial spending plans over the medium and long term, were passed unanimously.

Read more about the news and what it means here

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

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The Premier League has announced the start and end dates for the 2026-27 season.

The first round of fixtures will take place across the weekend of 22 August 2026 - a week later than previous seasons.

The later start allows rest time for players - 89 clear days from the end of this season, and 33 days from the 2026 World Cup final.

The Premier League said the delay was a "priority" for player welfare in an "increasingly congested global football calendar".

The final matches of the season will be played on Sunday, 30 May 2027, with all fixtures kicking off simultaneously as usual.

The season will end a week before the 2027 Champions League final, which will be on Saturday, 5 June.

There will be 33 weekend and five midweek fixtures - the same as the current season.

For the festive period, the Premier League have said no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours.

It has not been confirmed if there will be any fixtures on 24 December 2026.

However, as Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the Premier League has said there will be more matches scheduled than this season, when there is only one.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford at Amex Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the eve of his 50th Premier League game in charge, Hurzeler said he is "really proud" to be working at Brighton: "Being a head coach here is a privilege. I am really proud to work with great leaders, great personalities of players and in a really great culture."

• He praised his players for their attitude: "This is a great group that tries for togetherness and to get better every day, no matter the circumstances and adversities."

• He explained what he would like his team to be known for: "This club is special and has a great identity. On the one side, we are known for having great values and we also want to be known for success. It is what we live and work for and we have to keep pushing to achieve it."

• On what he learned from visiting the England rugby team: "They have a culture where everyone takes ownership and is responsible for success. That is something I really like. On top of that, they handle games differently. The head coach is always in the stands, overseeing like an analyst, not emotional on the sidelines - it is good to find answers to questions outside of the football bubble."

• On only losing three games at home in the Premier League with Brighton: "This is our castle. We want to make it really difficult for opponents to come. I am happy with how far we are but we have to keep pushing."

• Yasin Ayari and Brajan Gruda are both available to face Brentford while Jack Hinshelwood will be on the bench.

• Meanwhile, Solly March is two to three weeks away and Hurzeler said it is "so exciting" to have the winger back in the group.

• However, forward Kaoru Mitoma's return from his ankle injury remains unclear: "It is not easy to predict. Everything has healed but we just have to see how he can handle the pain."

• He praised Bees counterpart Keith Andrews for the work he has done in his first role as a head coach: "I have been really impressed. I know him a little bit and he is a great person. He did an unbelievable job as their set-piece coach and now he has made a great start in a different role."

• Therefore, Hurzeler accepted how difficult it will be against Brentford on Saturday: "They are very effective with a good understanding of how to win games. We have to be patient, not make easy mistakes and then improve the things we did not do so well when we faced them last season."

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

Listen to Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

One of potentially the biggest moments in English football is coming on Friday, but precious few people understand how important it could be or even know about it.

The Premier League is considering 'anchoring' wages, which would cap the amount any club could spend on their squad at five times the smallest central Premier League broadcasting and prize money payout.

It is a complex argument. The league and some clubs are considering it because they want to ensure wage inflation does not continue to rise endangering their long-term financial security. From the other side - the players and their union, the PFA - this unnaturally limits the amount they can earn in what has until now been a free and open market.

Any changes to that position foisted upon the players without their prior consultation and agreement will not go down well. Remember, the players are the people that the paying public, the TV companies and the advertisers want to see, not a bunch of chairmen, executives and directors arguing over accounts, dividends and profit margins.

The game has increased the number of games played per season without consulting those who are physically doing it. No studies on how that will affect their health in the short and long term were considered, and so the PFA in England looks like it is finally ready to take a strong stand for its members.

Strike ballots are not unknown, I should know, as chairman of the PFA my name was on the bottom of every ballot paper when we last considered strike action over changes in working conditions. The modern owners may have forgotten, but we had 99% backing from our members.

Owners may think of footballers as ultra wealthy, mercenary, thickos who can easily be controlled - well they thought that last time and they lost.

It is time for serious and meaningful negotiation between equals and not a master and serf attitude from one side towards the other.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off earlier than usual this year, with up to 17 Premier League clubs set to be affected by players jetting off to host country Morocco.

The tournament runs from 21 December until 18 January.

There has been no official announcement about which date clubs will have to release their players by - and it could vary depending on agreements.

Players could miss up to six, or in some cases seven, Premier League matches - plus FA Cup and Carabao Cup games - if they reach the final.

The group stages end on 31 December, so quickly eliminated players may only miss half that amount.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds do not have any players due to play in the 2025 Afcon - with Sunderland and Wolves losing the most players.

• Aston Villa - 1

• Bournemouth - 1

• Brentford - 2

• Brighton - 1

• Burnley - 3

• Crystal Palace - 1 to 4

• Everton - 2 to 3

• Fulham - 3

• Liverpool - 1

• Manchester City - 2

• Manchester United - 3

• Newcastle United - 0 to 1

• Nottingham Forest - 1 to 4

• Sunderland - 7

• Tottenham - 1 to 2

• West Ham United - 2

• Wolves - 5

Read the full article here to know which players will feature at Afcon

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Who is flying?: I make no apology for writing once more about Danny Welbeck when answering the question of which Brighton player is flying. Six goals in 11 matches and a place in the history books as the leading Albion scorer in top flight football, breaking a record Michael Robinson set back in the 1980s. Welbz is Dat Guy.

Who is floundering?: This is equally easy. Carlos Baleba. Forget a move to Manchester United; if he carries on playing like he has since being denied a summer transfer to Old Trafford, not even Maidstone United will be interested.

Tactically... I think Fabian Hurzeler should give the 3-4-3 formation he used at St Pauli a go. It is odd that the innovative approach he used in Germany and which helped land him the Brighton job has not been seen once in the Premier League.

I want Hurzeler to give me more... Instagram posts of him riding his electric bicycle around the city. On the subject of Hurzeler, his choice of dugout attire has become something of an obsession - and with good reason. Tracksuit Hurzeler has five wins, two draws, one defeat and 23 goals scored. Hurzeler dressed like he is going ice skating at the Royal Pavilion has one win, two draws, three defeats and six goals scored.

My expectations for the season... were a top-10 finish. I still think it is achievable; but only if the players start delivering over 90 minutes rather than in 20-minute patches as has been the case in most matches.

Season rating so far: 6/10 because we are 11th in the table and out of the Carabao Cup. What has not helped is all the pre-season talk about Europe being the aim, which ratcheted up expectations among supporters.

One sentence on how it feels to be a Brighton fan right now: Frustrating to support a team who are so consistently inconsistent – but at least the manager is a style icon.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Image source, PA Media

Brighton are one of five clubs yet to lose at home in the Premier League this season.

They have taken 11 points from their five home matches - but former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall thinks the Seagulls willfeel disappointed their tally is not even higher.

"Fulham was 1-1 with a late equaliser, Spurs was 2-2 when they were 2-0 up - they could be sitting there with five [wins] out of five!" he reflected on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.

Brighton play four of their next six Premier League matches at home, including when they return to action after the international break against Brentford on Saturday.

On the Bees, Aspinall added: "They lost the spine of the team and the manager [Thomas Frank] left as well. Keith Andrews has never managed but has been a very good coach and he's done tremendously well."

Listen to the full episode

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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

Brighton are monitoring Real Madrid's 21-year-old striker Gonzalo Garcaa ahead of a potential January loan move to strengthen their attacking options, with Sunderland and Leeds also interested. (Mail), external

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

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Albion Unlimited from BBC Radio Sussex returns as Johnny Cantor and former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall debate Brighton's best-ever Premier League XI.

From era-defining figures to unsung heroes, the pair run through the toughest calls, the standout performers and what the selections say about the club's journey in the top flight.

Journalist and author Sally Freedman also joins the conversation to analyse why Brighton's home form has become such a crucial pillar of their season, while Ian Westbrook from Beesotted offers insight from the Brentford camp before Brighton's return to Premier League action against the Bees.

Listen to the full episode

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