Brighton & Hove Albion

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The question of who is in the title race right now is a good one, but I still think it is Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.

At the beginning of the season, I said Liverpool would be up there because I feel people forgot how well they actually did last season. They are favourites at the moment because of the consistency they have shown this year, but we all know that the likes of City and the Gunners are capable of going on long winning runs.

City are in unknown territory at the moment with the form they are in, but they are still a group of Premier League and Champions League winners who know how to win and bounce back. However, if Liverpool get the win at Anfield this weekend, that would make them clearer favourites.

The reason I have not put Chelsea and Brighton alongside the other three teams as title contenders is because of the consistency of these teams over the past few years.

Those three have been up there challenging the past two or three seasons and I think that puts them ahead.

We have seen Chelsea are developing in terms of their age and have not been as consistent with their results. The same with Brighton. They put in some really good performances - but then some not so good.

With the heavy December schedule and into January, that is when we will start to see a split and those teams with a better squad depth start to break away a bit.

And yet, although that is what we are used to seeing, when you look at the league this year it has been one of the most up and down starts ever to a campaign in terms of consistency.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Southampton actually gave Liverpool a decent game on Sunday, but that defeat means they have lost 10 of their first 12 games.

I don't mind seeing Saints boss Russell Martin stick with his gameplan, and it is hard for the promoted teams anyway, but we have seen another of the sides who came up last season, Leicester City, make a managerial change this week and you have to worry for Martin if his side keep on losing.

I do have a feeling it will be defeat number 11 for Southampton this weekend, too.

Brighton got a good win at Bournemouth last time out, despite playing for half an hour with 10 men.

It won't be a rout, but the Seagulls will find a way to win.

Edwards' prediction: 2-0

Brighton play good football and are very well organised. They are a much better team than Southampton.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Brighton midfielder Matt O'Riley says "the demands are really high" at the club and it is that mentality that will help the Seagulls to keep pushing on this season.

O'Riley, who signed from Celtic in the summer, missed the early part of the season after injuring his ankle on his debut in August but is now returning to full match fitness.

Reflecting on Brighton's season so far, O'Riley told BBC Radio Sussex: "It is always helpful when you're winning games and we have been. Naturally you then build confidence and there becomes an element of momentum.

"The demands are really high. The intention is to win every game and that is all we can try to do. We have shown we can beat the big teams, so if we can do it a bit more consistently then we will be a proper team.

"I feel good. My body is in a good place and I feel ready to contribute more minutes."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

West Ham United are considering a move for Brighton forward Evan Ferguson. (FootballTransfers), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall says the Seagulls should expect a tough game when they host Southampton on Friday, but must win in order to keep the pressure on the other teams towards the top of the Premier League.

Fabian Hurzeler's side have the chance to move second with victory before the rest of the weekend's Premier League games.

"The confidence is with us after that win against Bournemouth," Aspinall told the Albion Unlimited podcast. "You have to in there and not think it's going to be easy because it's not going to be easy.

"Southampton are a good side, they are just lacking a bit of confidence. The mistakes they make are being punished.

"If they can stop those mistakes they will be a good side but at the moment they are at the bottom for a reason and Brighton have to take advantage of that. There is no point beating Manchester City at home and Bournemouth away and then not getting three points on Friday.

"So, I fancy us and I fancy us big. They don't win games or get any points if they concede first this season so if we score first it's three points.

"If you wake up on Saturday morning and you're second in the division, it puts the pressure on the other teams who are playing on Saturday and Sunday. That's what we have to keep doing - if we're playing first, keeping the pressure on the top sides."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is in favour of the introduction of safe standing at Amex Stadium and appreciates the club being "open to new things".

The Seagulls revealed plans on Wednesday to introduce safe standing in the north stand of the stadium from the start of the 2025-26 season.

The club said the safe standing section would mirror the set up at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, with a rail installed in front of the seat and fans will be required to remain in their allocated place during the match.

Safe standing is already in place across a number of leagues in Europe, including in Germany, where Hurzeler previously managed.

"Honestly, I think it is a great thing," he told reporters at a news conference previewing Friday's game against Southampton.

"I experienced great atmospheres in the Bundesliga. In German stadiums it is normal some people are standing, especially normal in my former club St Pauli.

"What I experienced, I don't know if it is because they are standing or not, but it was great support. Very loud support, very emotional support.

"It is great that we do it, I really love it. I also really love that we are open to new things, this club shows they are open for new things and to do things in a different way. They like to make decisions like others have not done before. That is something that I really appreciate and that is my thinking and mindset too.

"So let's see how it goes and maybe in two or three years we are sitting here and the whole stadium is standing and this is just the starting point. Let's see how this develops."

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Brighton are the only team to be unbeaten when conceding the first goal in Premier League games this season (W2 D2).

Meanwhile, Southampton have gone on to lose all eight games in which they have conceded first, with only Nottingham Forest also having a 100% loss rate (2/2).

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game at home to Southampton (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler confirmed Lewis Dunk is back in the squad, along with Tariq Lamptey, while Ferdi Kadioglu is a doubt but the rest of the squad "will stay the same".

• He acknowledged that they will "have to suffer" against Southampton because of their style of play and that the Saints' performance against Liverpool should be a "warning" to Brighton: "This league is so intense, so competitive - there is no easy opponent."

• On if the start to the season has given them confidence they can achieve European qualification: "For me in life, not only football, it is so important to have clear targets and vision of where you want to go. It makes you promise never to give up and gives orientation to your work. Right now, it is about momentum. This momentum gives the players confirmation for their work."

• He added: "You have to keep improving and developing this, focusing on the process and not the results. If you focus now on the results and say 'wow, we are at the top of the table', it won't work. You have to keep focusing on the process, on performance and then long-term results will come."

• Hurzeler said the red card Carlos Baleba received in the last match was a "false decision" but they have to "accept it", adding: "What should I say to the player? He didn't do a mistake with second yellow because it is not a second yellow. On the other side, I reflect on myself. Maybe I need to react earlier and say he is a young player, I need to protect him. That I need to take him out of game to make sure he is available for the next match."

• On reports that Evan Ferguson could leave on loan, the Seagulls boss said he did not know where that information came from as he is "happy Evan is here and he can help us in the next week."

• He also used Igor Julio as an example for players who are not featuring regularly: "No one expected Igor to play that many games in this phase, but he always made sure he was ready for games and for the chance. He always trained hard, never complained, accepted his role and then when he got the chance he was there. That is the same thing I demand from the other players. Accept your role - never complain."

• On an opportunity to go second in the table: "Honestly, I don't watch the table, believe it or not. I try to focus on the process. It is repetition from my side, but I truly believe [it]. But it is confirmation for the players [and] the staff. They all buy into it and have impact on success. It is important for them to see that their hard work is leading to results."

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

Sevilla are considering ending the loan deal of 20-year-old Brighton and Argentina defender Valentin Barco in January. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall says the Seagulls are "up there with the greats" after their fine start to the season.

Saturday's 2-1 win over Bournemouth means Fabian Hurzeler's side sit fifth in the Premier League after 12 games, level on points with Chelsea and Arsenal and just a point behind champions Manchester City.

"What a feeling it is to open the newspaper on Sunday morning and see the top five in the Premier League and Brighton at the bottom of that," Aspinall told the Albion Unlimited podcast.

"You're up there with the greats. What a feeling that is as a player.

"It's not just the players, it's the staff, it's everyone who is employed by Brighton, it's the chairman who has put his money where his mouth is.

"22 points from 12 games is absolutely brilliant."

Aspinall was also full of praise for Brighton's front four of Karou Mitoma, Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck, who again offered a constant goal threat.

"In the win over Bournemouth on Saturday our front four were like the Red Arrows," he added.

"They can interchange, the movement they can do - it's just wonderful football. You saw that in both goals. We need to wrap the four of them up in cotton wool. If they are fit then all of them play no matter what.

"If you think waiting in the wings is Simon Adingra, Yankuba Minteh, Evan Ferguson and Julio Encisco who all can't get a game."

Pedro scored his fourth goal in four Premier League starts this season and Aspinall believes if he simplifies his game then his potential is endless.

"The world's his oyster - another one where that is the case," he added.

"Sometimes he gets a little bit too cocky, he tries hard things instead of doing the basics. If he sticks to the basics and does them for 90 minutes then the world his oyster."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Brighton have made 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson available for loan in January. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Brighton have two high value talents in striker Evan Ferguson and playmaker Julio Enciso but both are struggling for minutes.

Ferguson has played 105 league minutes this season while Enciso has played just 84 - with both players having worked their way back from long-term injuries last season.

There are reports that the Seagulls are ready to allow Ferguson to leave on loan in January.

Brighton have refused to comment but it is understood that Enciso would be open to a loan move.

That situation could change rapidly in a busy December which will offer further chances to all players amid a period of fixture congestion.

Sources have also said Enciso is willing to wait given the potential of circumstances changing and that conversations will take place about potential loan conditions closer to when the window opens.

Ferguson is struggling for minutes while all of Danny Welbeck, Georgino Rutter and now Joao Pedro are in form. Meanwhile, Enciso finds himself competing with Kaoro Mitoma, Simon Adingra and Yankuba Minteh.

Brighton have lost just twice under young manager Fabian Hurzeler this season and are in a lofty fifth position in the Premier League.

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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Joao Pedro was already a very popular player among Brighton supporters. Scoring 20 goals in your first season at the Albion does that.

But his likeability soared even more in the aftermath of the 2-1 win over Bournemouth as he stood up for that most sacred of institutions… Brighton Beach.

The Cherries' social media team posted a pre-game graphic, external with Albion centre-back Igor Julio serving ice creams and the caption: 'Oh I do like to be beside the (proper) seaside.'

Pedro opened the scoring at Vitality Stadium. He then played an outstanding, defence-splitting pass to set up Kaoru Mitoma for the second Brighton goal. Afterwards, he said there was extra motivation to win the game because of things seen on the internet.

With four goals this season from six appearances, the last thing opponents want to be doing is riling up Pedro. If he can stay fit and carry on performing like this, the Albion will do very well to hold on to him beyond next season.

At least one of the big boys will surely come calling with a mega money offer for a forward who can create chances and put them away in a variety of different scenarios.

His strike against Bournemouth was a poacher's finish, following up after Kepa Arrizabalaga parried a Georginio Rutter shot. Being Brazilian, he obviously has an eye for the spectacular.

And several of last season's haul came from towering headers of the sort you expect from a traditional English centre-forward.

Having only just turned 23, there is plenty of scope for improvement too. He is clearly a much better player now than when he arrived 18 months ago from Watford.

If Pedro continues to progress at his current rate, the sky is the limit - especially when he is fired up to defend the city's beach and honour.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Fulham and Leicester City are eyeing a loan deal in January for Brighton's 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson. (Football Insider), external

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

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Brighton forward Georginio Rutter has been discussing settling in at Amex Stadium, as 10-man Brighton continued their best start to a top-flight season with an away win over Bournemouth.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after the game, Rutter said he "didn't expect" to settle in at his new club so quickly: "When you change club, you often need more time but I have started very quickly here.

"The adaptation was quick and good, so I'm happy."

Rutter added that he believes the Christmas period will present an opportunity for himself and his team-mates to keep pushing on in the league.

"I think this next period is the most important," he said.

"The season is long and we have to take the maximum amount of points, then we can see at the end.

"We, as the players, have to work our bodies cleverly, recover well and get ready for the next games."

The Seagulls are currently fifth in the league and are only separated from the Champions League qualification places on goal difference.

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Brighton, which the Seagulls won 2-1.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Alec: When is our manager going to realise that Mark Travers is our best keeper and that David Brooks should start? To send Dango Ouattara on before Brooks was wrong. Also let's get some basics confirmed - like stop running offside. After all, it's just like crossing the road, look both ways before moving.

Nick: Draw would have been a fairer result. Brooks should have come on earlier. In the first half we didn't go route one into number nine enough because he was open more often than not.

Spirit of 57: Disappointed. Gutted. Bewildered. We put Arsenal and Manchester City to the sword and can't dispatch a below par Brighton. It surely is a funny old game.

Douglas: A very good game of football. I thought very little in it but we weren't able to convert the chances.

Brighton fans

Bob: This proves we are a different animal this season. Being up there in fifth is the just deserts we have earned. If we had kept the lead against Forest we would be second.

Tim: A big win for the Seagulls against a team we have struggled against in the Premier League. Down to 10 men and showing some determination to get over the line was what we needed to do. We are starting to mix it with the establishment.

Stonegold: Two superbly crafted goals worthy of winning any match. If that was a yellow card for Baleba's second then you may as well make football a non-contact sport. Daft first yellow on the player's part doesn't excuse a ref to make that decision. Onwards and definitely upwards.

Vic: Brighton are grinding out wins where they would have previously drawn or lost. Now they are beginning to get their injured players back it looks like a very promising first season for the new manager.

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Brighton defender Joel Veltman has praised his team-mates' "fight" in a "tough" game against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium, which saw Fabian Hurzeler's team continue their push for European football.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about the victory, Veltman said: "Bournemouth away is always tough. We were in a good place, and I think they were as well. We knew it would be tough with the weather and the rain. You know it's going to be a fight and, after all, we did well.

"Everybody who came on was really into the fight. The effort was unreal and that's what you need with 10 men.

"They were bringing five or six guys into the box at times, so we needed a bit of luck but also a good goalkeeper behind us. We had all of that, so we got the result."

Veltman was also full of praise for 22-year-old goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, adding: "He took loads of goal kicks, he did well on the line, and he helped us a lot coming out and making those saves.

"It keeps you in the game and it helps to build confidence in defence. As a defender it's good to know that when someone passes you, the goalkeeper will also be there to save it or kill the chance.

"Hopefully he is going to stay here for loads of years, but how he is doing right now is amazing."

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds

Chris Wise
Final Score reporter at Vitality Stadium

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Brighton have certainly had performances under Fabian Hurzeler that have sparkled more than their win at Bournemouth.

The German said as much himself after the game on Saturday. But, I think they deserve some credit for how smart they were once Carlos Baleba had been sent off.

There was a maturity about this win. Had this been a Roberto de Zerbi Brighton team, he may well have been reluctant to absorb pressure even with 10 men, and that could have left them open.

But it feels like Hurzeler is more flexible in finding ways to win games. He made the right changes at the right time, and essentially shut down all available avenues for Bournemouth.

They're still a work in progress, but the progress is becoming clear.