Did you catch the latest episode of The Football News Show?
Ben Croucher and key guests focus exclusively on Brighton and ponder where the season may lead.
Watch the show above or get it on BBC iPlayer here
Image source, Getty ImagesArgus journalist Brian Owen believes Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has the potential to play at the highest level but needs to find consistency.
"I love what he does," Owen told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.
"He combines some of the best of players like Caicedo and Bissouma who we have seen in previous years.
"Because his highest level is so high you can't necessarily have that all the time - so sometimes the level will dip a bit.
"There was a sort of Baleba-sized hole at times in that second half [against Southampton] but I remember going up to Fulham last season and I think Van Hecke was in midfield so I hope we're better prepared this time."
Former striker Warren Aspinall believes "Baleba has to go straight back in" to the starting line-up when Brighton go to Fulham on Thursday.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Having missed a month with a calf injury, captain Lewis Dunk returned from the bench in Brighton's 1-1 draw with Southampton in the Premier League.
But with Jan Paul van Hecke and Igor Julio impressing in his absence, is the Englishman still guaranteed a place in Fabian Hurzeler's starting line-up?
Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo tells The Football News Show why he feels Dunk is still first choice when fit.
Image source, Getty ImagesArgus journalist Brian Owen has highlighted the importance of captain Lewis Dunk as he reaches 250 Premier League appearances.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Owen said: "He has been evolving as a player. He's also playing in an area of the pitch where he is getting quite battered and bruised a lot. We have seen him grow as a footballer, not just as a defender and he has been so key to a lot of different managers.
"The way he [Fabian Hurzeler] spoke after Southampton suggested that Dunk comes back in now as a defender. He is a leader and playmaker."
Former striker Warren Aspinall on Dunk: "His performances have been absolutely exceptional under every manager. He's been up there as player of the season every year.
"People mentioned six or seven years go when we first got into the Premier League that he'd struggle because he has no pace. Well, it just proves that you don't need pace. He has a football brain.
"He's grown as footballer and he's grown as a person. For organisation, he has to be top of the class."
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler says he will not rush or put pressure on Solly March as the winger nears a return to action.
The 30-year-old has had two knee operations to repair meniscus damage and a ruptured cruciate ligament after landing awkwardly in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in October 2023.
"He said to me yesterday, 'gaffer I’m ready,' Hurzeler said. "But I think it’s important that we calm him down and give him the time to be prepared for a Premier League game after all this time.
"We don’t want to make two steps at one time.
"He needs to improve his condition and physical shape to be fully ready for the intensity of the Premier League. I am sure he will improve fast and let’s see if we can see him before Christmas or after.
"It’s important we don’t put pressure on him as a player."
Full commentary of Fulham v Brighton from 19:30 GMT on Thursday on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Brighton's debut campaign in Europe ended in the last 16 of the Europa League but their domestic form dipped badly, finishing 11th in the Premier League.
Albion fan Charlie Haffenden joins The Football News Show to explain, with the club in the Champions League spots after 13 games this season, why they are better equipped to tackle continental football if they qualified again.
Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer
The Seagulls continue to soar in the Premier League, sitting fourth in the table as they head into the festive schedule.
Since returning from the international break, Fabian Hurzeler's men have picked up four points against fellow south coast teams Bournemouth and Southampton.
But we want you to tell us the one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about regarding Brighton at the moment?
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game against Fulham (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There are no new injury concerns with Kaoru Mitoma, Tariq Lamptey and Yasin Ayari available for Wednesday's game. Right-back Joel Veltman will train today before a decision is made on him.
However, Jack Hinshelwood and Ferdi Kadioglu remain sidelined with their respective injuries.
There "is a possibility" that captain Lewis Dunk will return to the starting line-up after recovering from his calf problem.
Winger Solly March could make his return before Christmas after more than a year out with a serious knee injury: "He said to me yesterday, 'Gaffer I’m ready'. I think it’s important that we calm him down and give him the time to be prepared for a Premier League game after all this time. We don’t want to make two steps at one time."
On midfielder Carlos Baleba, available after serving his one match suspension: "He has shown he can have a big impact on the game with his physicality and power. He is still young and has lots of potential."
On the busy festive schedule: "We feel ready. It is a new experience for me and some of my staff members, but we are really looking forward to it. I’ve heard it’s an intense period and important, so we have to be focused."
Hurzeler said Southampton's disallowed goal on Friday was "a 50/50 situation" but "it's in the past" and he will not "make this a big topic any more."
In response to why his side struggle to produce a consistent performance throughout 90 minutes: "That’s the million dollar question! If we can find an answer to this then we will have a successful time here. We’ve been trying to work on staying stable. In general, it’s more about our behaviour, controlling the game and sticking to our principles for 90 minutes."
He said Fulham "are a very good team in possession" with a well-balanced squad: "They defend in a very compact shape and they try to be aggressive and shift a lot."
On playing at Craven Cottage for the first time: "It’s a small, tight stadium. The pitch isn’t the biggest so it will be an intense, tough game."
Listen to live commentary of Fulham v Brighton on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 19:25 GMT on Thursday
Image source, Getty ImagesFulham are unbeaten in all eight of their Premier League games against Brighton (winning four, drawing four). #
It is the joint-most they have faced a side without ever losing (along with Norwich) and the most the Seagulls have faced a side without ever winning in the competition.
Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson has scored just once for Brighton and Hove Albion in 12 months, prompting speculation that he could rediscover his form with a loan move away from the Amex in January.
Former Brighton skipper Adam Virgo tells The Football News Show why he would keep the Irishman in spite of his goal drought.
Watch a Brighton special of The Football News Show on iPlayer
The latest episode of the Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.
Johnny Cantor and former Seagulls striker Warren Aspinall discuss what we have learned so far from Brighton's season before previewing Albion's next two games, trips to Fulham and Leicester City.
Argus journalist Brian Owen also joins the pod to discuss Lewis Dunk as he closes in on 250 Premier League games for the club.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Nottingham Forest are plotting a January bid for Brighton's 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
On the latest episode of The Football News Show, Ben Croucher is joined by key guests as they look at Brighton's great start to the season, and ask whether they can maintain that form to establish themselves as a top eight side.
Scott McCarthy
Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images"Brighton could be in title contention by the end of December".
More than one supporter of other football clubs I know proclaimed this in the lead up to Southampton visiting Amex Stadium, having looked at the next six games for the Albion.
All are against opponents outside the top eight in the current Premier League table. Having beaten Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City and Newcastle this season, logic would indeed suggest upcoming games against relegation-threatened trio Saints, Leicester and Crystal Palace should end in Brighton victories.
But life is never that easy when you support the Albion. For six seasons now, under three managers, hosting struggling teams has been Brighton's Achilles' heel. Graham Potter had a terrible record in such fixtures and Roberto de Zerbi fared only slightly better.
As for Fabian Hurzeler? Despite beating the above teams, he has dropped points against Ipswich, Wolves and now Southampton.
Any title talk is as far fetched as me learning to ride a horse and partnering it to win the Grand National in April. Following the near-£200m summer spending spree and the start Brighton have made to the season, a return to Europe should be seen as an achievable target though.
To lead Brighton to the top six, Hurzeler needs to turnaround the Albion's poor home record facing sides below them in the table. With the next four weeks packed with such fixtures, it makes December a real test.
Forget hastening Erik ten Hag's departure, leaving Ange Postecoglu looking glum and having Pep Guardiola tearing his hair out. If Brighton are still in the mix for the top six when 2025 arrives having put sides fighting for their lives to the sword, then it might be time to get excited.
Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton have been drawn to play Norwich City in the FA Cup third round at Carrow Road.
The tie will take place between 9-13 January.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.
The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Southampton.
If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Brighton and Southampton.
Here are some of your comments:
Brighton fans
Robert: Another frustrating Brighton performance. We need to take our chances. There is too much passing back. Even I believe the second disallowed goal was a good goal, so even more good luck for Brighton! I want to see Evan Ferguson given more playing time.
Billy: A solid first-half performance in which we should have killed the game off. The second-half performance was one of the worst I've seen this season. We massively miss Baleba! I don't know why but we always struggle against the smaller teams at home. That has to change if we want to challenge for Europe this season!
David: I never thought a team could miss one man as much as this side did with Baleba. The second half was probably the poorest I have seen them play this season. But second place in the Premier League, for a short while, is a dream come true. On this display, Southampton will not go down.
Robin: My thoughts are generally unprintable. The one that I can put out is how the defence looked far more composed once Lewis Dunk returned. One man doesn't make a team, but he surely is the glue that holds the rest together.
Southampton fans
Rich: In the first half, Saints were woeful and lucky not to be two or three goals down by half-time. They were definitely better in the second half and had more fight, but then the equaliser came from nowhere. VAR has done Saints yet again though. It has cost us eight or nine points this season already.
Anthony: Russell Martin has to go - the owners are clueless! Most of the players just turned up for the pay cheque. It doesn't matter to them if the club gets relegated, because they will have had a season in the Premier League. The honourable exceptions are Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes, who will get a transfer when we get relegated.
Bob: We gave them problems and played decently. That was the worst decision I've seen in my life. We should have won, but I will take a draw against second place.
Daz: It was an OK performance - nothing spectacular. We will take a point, even though we will be relegated anyway. Dibling played well, we will be lucky to keep hold of him in the transfer window. I won't hold my breath with this result being the change we need, as I expect we will be back to our losing ways next weekend.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been talking to BBC Sport after his side were forced to settle for a draw at Amex Stadium: "Not the best game from us, regarding intensity, how we pressed out of possession and how we used our chances. We only deserved a draw.
"When a team presses you man-to-man, it's not too easy to control the game. We tried to find the way. We managed it in the first-half but not in the second-half.
"We should be disappointed because we wanted to win at home, to present the fans another win, and we weren't able to. It's part of the process, we have to keep going and winning these games."
On why he was booked: "I don't know. I didn't say anything. You have to be careful with the questions you ask [afterwards about the officials]."
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton midfielder Matt O'Riley has been speaking following the draw: "It's not great - points dropped. We had a lot of chances, especially in the first half, but we weren't ruthless enough.
"Maybe it was a lack of intensity, being a bit sloppy on the ball, bad decision-making - it just wasn't really good enough.
"If you don't work hard enough, you are never going to win. We tried to win, but we weren't good enough.
"I feel good physically, which is positive. I would like to contribute more. It's nice to be back playing, I feel like I'm getting fitter every day."
Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, PA MediaTitle challengers and top four finishers are characterised by their consistency of wins - something Brighton, despite impressive performances, still lack.
Fabian Hurzeler's side could have equalled their club record of three consecutive Premier League victories had they beaten Southampton here.
And they appeared well on course for that after a first half in which they dominated proceedings and should have scored more than once.
But they went off the boil in the second half, were clearly shaken by Southampton's equaliser, and ultimately only a debatable VAR decision saw them claim a point.
Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck in particular flattered to deceive, having impressed as Brighton's front duo so far this season.
But neither could provide the killer touch, meaning Brighton failed to take the opportunity to steal a march on their European rivals this weekend.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Brighton fans, let us know your thoughts, external
What did you make of Southampton’s display?, external
Come back to this page on Saturday to find a selection of your replies
