Brighton & Hove Albion

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Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler speaking to the BBC after today's penalty shootout: "We were not resilient enough, not good enough and that is why we didn't win the game today. It is important that we analyse the reasons internally and it is important that we show a good reaction and try and improve on small things."

On Nottingham Forest's set-up making it difficult for his side: "They sit in a low block and wait for transitional moments - that is their game. It is the game we expected because they never do anything else. They are successful like this and it is tough to play against them. We were unable to find solutions against them, especially in the first half. We were not on our highest level today."

On how the players are feeling that missed penalties: "How should a player feel when he misses a penalty? They are disappointed but I take responsibility for the penalties. They are young players and will learn from it. They didn't shoot that bad, the Forest goalkeeper made two impressive saves. That is penalties."

On not letting the result affect the remainder of the season: "It is important that we don't let it affect us and we have to show a reaction but first of all we are disappointed. We have to show a reaction and stick together."

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Brighton's Giorginio Rutter says winning the FA Cup would be an "unbelievable" achievement for the club.

The Seagulls face Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the quarter-finals knowing victory would see them reach a Wembley semi-final for the second time in three years, and a third time in six, after losing to Manchester City in 2019 and to Manchester United in 2023.

"Of course we are ready," Rutter told BBC Radio Sussex.

"We can have something very good at the end of the season. But, we have to stay mature and played how we did in the last game.

"We have to take it game by game because both are very important. We will see at the end but I think the FA Cup can be a very good thing."

Brighton have never won a major trophy but Rutter believes the team is in "good shape" as they prepare for the run-in to the end of the season.

"Everybody knows the FA Cup and for Brighton I think to win a cup like this is unbelievable," he added

"We believe, if it's working it's good and if it's not we try again next season and the season after. Now, we are in a good shape and we need to stay like this.

"The fans know it's important for everybody. They know it's a special day and after that we can go to Wembley so I trust my fans."

Listen to all the latest Brighton interviews and insight on the Albion Unlimited podcast feed on BBC Sounds

Brighton will see this as the chance to get revenge for their 7-0 defeat at the City Ground at the start of February.

I am sure some people felt the wheels had come off for Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler after that result, but instead his side have bounced back and gone on a great run of six wins and one draw.

Sometimes getting thrashed like that can have a positive effect on a team, and clear the air.

I remember losing 7-1 at Blackburn Rovers in October 1992, when I was a centre-half for Norwich City, but we had a crate of beer on the coach home to put things right and we were still top of the Premier League table at Christmas. I did get moved up front after that, though.

As for Nottingham Forest, they are the only team left in the FA Cup where I could understand it if they rested players this weekend because of their league position.

They play Manchester United on Tuesday and the finish line is in sight for my boyhood team to finish third and secure Champions League football.

That is why it is disappointing to hear about Chris Wood getting injured while playing for New Zealand this week.

Hopefully it is not serious, but it is a blow for Forest if they are without their main number nine for any length of time.

Their gameplan will not change without Wood - they will sit deep and attack on the break. It is just a question on whether it is their A team who face Brighton or not, and my hunch is that Nuno Espirito Santo will make a few changes.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Brighton and Nottingham Forest will meet in the FA Cup for the first time when Nuno Espirito Santo's side travel to Amex Stadium for Saturday's quarter-final. Will Brighton still be feeling the scar tissue of February's 7-0 Premier League drubbing, though?

Former Albion and Forest striker Glenn Murray tells The Football News Show how impressed he has been with Brighton's response to that defeat at the City Ground and why this cup tie will allow both teams more freedom to attack...

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Ninad Barbadikar
Football tactics writer

Fabian Hurzeler had big shoes to fill at Amex Stadium following Roberto de Zerbi's exit, but the Seagulls are continuing to soar in the Premier League.

The young German's arrival has seen him implement some key principles, one being overloading the opposition's last line of defence with attackers and midfielders.

"You occupy opponents more if you have more players in the last line," he said.

"Then you create more dynamism with deep runs and how many players can create deep runs."

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This bold approach to occupying defenders helps Brighton push defensive lines deeper and keep their opposition pinned as well. Increasing their numbers inside the penalty area means that the crosser has a number of options and contact is bound to be made by one of the players attacking.

One of the wingers will move inward and join the attacking line, and one of the two midfielders in Brighton's 4-2-3-1 formation will also push up to provide support in the box. Their match-winner against Manchester City earlier this season was one such example, where Matt O'Riley burst past Rico Lewis into the City box to score.

Brighton's underlying data from last campaign under De Zerbi suggested their style of play was most similar to Pep Guardiola's City - but Hurzeler's approach has taken them away from that, with more directness introduced in possession.

The average Brighton possession sequence is about 3.5 passes, making them one of the more dynamic sides in the Premier League.

Whereas under De Zerbi they possessed the ball a lot more in their own third to bait the opposition press, Brighton are now happy to play long balls when necessary to reach the final third, win second balls and then move the ball centrally or funnel it wide for cutback opportunities or crosses.

Hurzeler has spoken of the importance of courage from players executing his football and, in Jan Paul van Hecke, he has one of the finest ball-playing centre-backs in the Premier League.

The Dutchman is the key at the back for Brighton to break through opposition lines and then find his team-mates in space, who will progress the attack further.

Van Hecke has accumulated the fifth highest number of pass attempts from open-play in 2024-25, attempting 1,773 passes in total, underlining his importance for Hurzeler.

Read the full piece on Hurzeler's Brighton here

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BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray has been looking ahead to Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Brighton on the latest episode of Shut Up And Show More Football: "Nuno has a love for the competition. He's talked about how they were the only English games he could watch growing up. It does hold a special place.

"I saw how relieved he was getting past Exeter. Also last year, getting past Blackpool and Bristol City, he was relieved as it was progress in the cup.

"It's undoubtedly a difficult game for Forest. Brighton are improved lately. It's a huge game for Forest and they haven't come along often in the past 30 years or so."

Forest - who last won the FA Cup in 1959 - thrashed Brighton 7-0 in the Premier League in February and Fray added: "You have to praise Brighton's response to it. They have been brilliant since. For that reason, and because they will be completely fired up looking for revenge, it gives them a huge chance to put things right in front of their fans. In a strange way, it makes it more difficult for Forest."

Johnny Cantor, who covers Brighton for BBC Radio Sussex, joined the Forest podcast and referenced the 7-0 defeat, stating: "It has been the catalyst for Brighton's recent good form. It was a day, evening or 48-hour period when they started to look at themselves and said 'why did that happen?' and 'it can't happen again'.

"Fabian Hurzeler reportedly came in on Monday morning when the players came back in and he got the formation sheet and literally burned it in front of the players to say: 'That didn't work, forget it, we are moving on now.'

"He has learned from that, and the team has. I think it has given them that impetus and catalyst to really kick on and they are unbeaten since.

"They have the appetite back again and have reached the semi-finals twice in the past six seasons. They have got a taste for it. They want to win something. They believe now their squad is probably the strongest it has ever been. And with it being so open this season with a lot of the big boys out, it presents an interesting opportunity."

Listen to Shut Up And Show More Football here

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Earlier, we asked which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Brighton.

The answer is Lewis Dunk, who has been involved in 80 victories.

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Fabian Hurzeler says he does not think about the elevated status that comes with being a head coach in the Premier League as he just wants to continue to live a normal life.

The 32-year-old was spotted while at home for a days in the international break by a Brighton supporter, who went on to chat to him about this weekend's upcoming FA Cup quarter-final.

In Friday's media conference, Hurzeler was asked about whether his life has changed since moving to Brighton from Bundesliga II side St Pauli because of the prominence of English football worldwide.

"I don't think about things like that as it is part of the business and you have to accept it," replied Hurzeler. "My life doesn't change because I want to stay as the same Fabian I have always been.

"I always want to be that guy who is available for my players, who is the biggest supporter of my players, embraces challenges and works hard for the club so that they can be successful.

"That is how I want to be seen. I am not thinking about whether I am being recognised.

"I don't think I can't do that or go there because I just want to live my life. I am obsessed with football and that is why I try to focus on these things."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 17:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Matt O'Riley are expected to be available but Tariq Lamptey "will be out for longer".

• He said "it is so far so good" in terms of international players returning with no issues so Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro should be able to start Saturday's game.

• On feeling the importance of the game: "Even when I spent some time in my home town, a Brighton fan called my name and he said he was really looking forward to watch the game. So you feel it, but it is important that you don't make it artificially big."

• More on dealing with quarter-final pressure: "It is an important game like all of the other games in which we have to go to our limits. That is what we have to do again tomorrow. We all know it is a big opportunity and chance."

• He said the players who did not go on international duty had a few days off "and then came back with a lot of energy and full of spirit to continue this [seven game unbeaten] run".

• On The FA Cup seemingly being more open this season: "The clubs who are in it remain in it for a reason and deserve to be there. I wouldn't say that just because the bigger teams are out, as it is always an opportunity to win if you are in."

• He said "being authentic and creating togetherness" is what he came in to do and "trusting that process" means you might have the opportunity to win something. Hurzeler added: "It is not about me or trying to build a legacy, it's about achieving something as a team."

• On opponents Nottingham Forest: "We only have to look at the table. If a team is that long at the top of the table then they are there for a reason. They are a top team with a lot of individual quality. It is an opportunity to prove how far we are in our development and we will try to make the next step."

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Brighton?

Come back to this page at 17:00 GMT for the answer

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Premier League clubs have agreed the dates for the summer transfer window.

The window will open early, between Sunday 1 June and Tuesday 10 June, due to an exceptional registration period relating to the Fifa Club World Cup.

It will then reopen on Monday 16 June and close on Monday 1 September.

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Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has been nominated for March's Premier League Player of the Month.

In a month that has seen Fabian Hurzeler's side continue their recent fine form by beating Fulham in a late win at Amex Stadium and secure a draw against defending champions Manchester City, Van Hecke has played a key part.

The 24-year-old got Brighton's comeback win against Fulham underway with a powerful header, before producing a commanding display away to City to take a valuable point in their race for European football.

The Seagulls will be hoping Van Hecke's fine form continues as they head into the final weeks of the season looking to secure silverware in the FA Cup and a finishing spot that would take fans on another European adventure.

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Earlier this week, BBC Sport asked its fan writers to detail a player who really needs to step up to the plate as the season closes out. As you'll see a little further down this page, Brighton fan Scott picked Joao Pedro, stating disciplinary issues need to be controlled and that "there have been games this season that have bypassed him".

My take is his manager has a trust in him.

He is a really good player and I think a lot of us forget how young he is -relatively speaking - because we have seen him play in England for a good few years now.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has Pedro, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck at his disposal but it is Pedro that can link the other two in the best way.

I get that fans will want more consistency from him and there are certainly things that he can refine in his game, but ultimately Hurzeler trusts him.

To be a Brazil international is a huge credit to him, but what does that actually mean? I can think of a couple Brazilian forwards who have also been historically criticised for their output based on views of what they are expected to be like.

Pedro has an edge to him. Whether he goes down too easily or simulates, I am not sure because in reality, it is all about how a referee perceives things and what the outcome is.

He is on eight goals so far this season, so if he scores a couple more before the end of the season then he could have his most successful season in English football in terms of stats. I think he is on track to do that.

Brighton are also strong contenders to win the FA Cup and qualify for Europe again. He will be one of the reasons they achieve one of those, if not both, if he continues to be a driving force in attack and taking it to the opposition.

As we saw with Newcastle recently, for a lot of fans these are once in a lifetime situations and they shouldn't be taken for granted.

You want to see success and good attacking talent because that brings excitement for the future. That is what I think Pedro can represent.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford