Brighton & Hove Albion

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

"Embarrassing performance", "the manager got it all wrong" and "is it time for a change?"

That was the reaction from some fans on this page after Brighton were demolished 7-0 by Nottingham Forest at the beginning of February.

But was that result just a bad day at the office for Fabian Hurzeler's team this season?

Since that heavy loss by another side chasing European football, the Seagulls have won six consecutive games across all competitions.

A bounce-back and then some.

With potentially season-defining games against Manchester City, Forest in the FA Cup quarter-final and Aston Villa to come in the next month, should fans be concerned about the impressive run coming to an end?

Perhaps not.

That is because a strength of Brighton's this season has been their ability to get results against the top teams.

According to Football365, the south coast side are second only to Premier League leaders Liverpool in gaining points against top-half teams this season, and that is not taking into account results against those sides in cup competitions.

From the 14 league matches they have played against those top 10 teams, Brighton have won six, drawn four and lost four.

In the past six games in all competitions since the 7-0 defeat by Forest alone, they have beaten Chelsea twice, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Fulham.

Prior to that, they held second-placed Arsenal to a draw twice, beat Manchester City and pushed Liverpool close in both the Carabao Cup and the league.

Having struggled in the period before Christmas, getting another foray into Europe looked to be slipping out of reach, but their turnaround in form sees them now sit seventh in the league and just three points off the top four.

Bringing in a manager that was younger than a number of senior players looked from afar to be a risk, but Hurzeler appears to now be getting the results to match the play and performances.

If he can continue to mastermind results against the top sides, particularly in the run to the end of the season, it could be a gamble that pays off with another European adventure and cup glory.

Ten games to go and we need your positivity.

It is looking likely the Premier League will be awarded an extra Champions League spot for the 2025-26 season, so finishing fifth will mean a seat at Europe's top table.

We want you to tell us, in just one sentence, why Brighton will qualify for the Champions League.

Let us know here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what nobody is talking about at Brighton but really should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Kyle: The entire club. People are still shocked when we cause problems for the bigger teams and show up competing for Europe. People have been living under a rock and haven't caught on to the fact that we've been one of the best-run clubs in world football for a good few years now.

Alistair: It's been talked about a bit, but Diego Gomez looks like another gem. If he can form a reliable partnership with Carlos Baleba, we might have the next Mac Allister-Caicedo pairing on our hands.

Anton: When will we stick with a long-term team ie a regular squad that we won't see dissolve every season through selling for profit? While I fully understand Tony Bloom's goal is to have a profit, making a robust Brighton that will never be in financial turmoil - and we are all enormously grateful for that - I wonder how long it will be until we see more players staying season after season?

Wells: I was driving a mate of mine to a match and asked him this question: "Do Brighton have the strongest second XI of any Premier League club?" He looked at me in disbelief, then after a period of reflection, he couldn't disagree!

O: Maybe not in terms of going under the fans' radar, but Simon Adingra is certainly going under Hurzeler's. A very capable Premier League player who was great last season, who even got two assists in the Africa Cup of Nations final, is barely getting used. If I were him, I would demand minutes!

Image source, Getty Images

Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo has compared the Seagulls team under Roberto de Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler.

Speaking to the Albion Unlimited podcast, Virgo said: "As a team, I think we saw more style of play under De Zerbi. I think we are still trying to see the identity under Hurzeler.

"As a squad, I think they couldn't cope with the FA Cup, Europa League and Premier League [under De Zerbi]. The dream is to get into Europe, but when you get there it might be too early.

"Squad-wise, I think we are now in a much better position, but starting 11 wise I would still pick De Zerbi's team.

"It's a matter of time [with Hurzeler], he has had more injuries to deal with. When this team clicks, you see really good football."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Brighton are through to the last eight of the FA Cup and still right in the mix to qualify for Europe, having put together an excellent run of results after that hammering at Nottingham Forest.

And there is no doubt plenty more going on that you know far more about than we do.

So tell us, what's one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about at Brighton but really should be?

Let us know here

The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast is available now on BBC Sounds.

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke discusses the Seagulls' impressive winning run and scoring his first goal for the club.

The team are also joined by former Albion skipper Adam Virgo, who talks about the strength of the Brighton squad, their European learning curve, the club's "best chance" of winning the FA Cup and Saturday's trip to Manchester City.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

In every season where Brighton achieve something special, there tends to be an unforgettable last-minute goal.

The 2010-11 League One title winning campaign had Liam Bridcutt crashing home a volley against Carlisle United to the now legendary "it's the stuff of dreams - the stuff of champions" commentary of Johnny Cantor on BBC Radio Sussex.

Glenn Murray delivered an early Christmas present in 2016, scoring a last-gasp winner at Birmingham City in the Championship promotion year.

Two seasons ago and a last gasp Alexis Mac Allister penalty saw off Manchester United at Amex Stadium.

That day, the roar that greeted the goal was so loud it could be heard the other side of Brighton as the Albion moved within touching distance of European qualification for the first time ever.

Saturday saw the 2024-25 version of Bridcutt, Murray and Mac Allister. With virtually the last kick of the game, Joao Pedro beat Bernd Leno from the spot.

Not only did it end a winless run against Fulham stretching back eight years but it moved Brighton to within a point of the Champions League places.

Victory away at Manchester City this weekend would take the Albion above the four-in-a-row champions going into the international break.

It was surreal to hear pundits on BBC Match of the Day openly discussing Brighton's top four chance - especially as just five weeks earlier, they were picking over the bones of a humiliating 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The reaction to that sorry afternoon by the banks of the River Trent has been phenomenal.

If it somehow ends up carrying the Albion into the Champions League, Brighton's biggest league defeat in 57 years will end up being seen as the catalyst for arguably the biggest achievement in the club's history.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Liverpool are contemplating whether to make a move for Brighton's Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke, 24. (GiveMeSport), external

Brighton's Sweden midfielder Yasin Ayari, 21, is attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Brighton's Premier League game against Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Tim: Fantastic three points. Managed to find a way without playing our best. First win against Fulham in Premier League at such an important time. If we can keep winning against the teams around us who knows how high in the league we can finish. Come on Albion!

Oscar: What a game! Brighton were better than Fulham by a country mile. Definitely a pen. Joao Pedro slotted it home and gave us the win. Brighton marching on to Europe again.

Mike: Great to see us being so dogged to secure the win. That penalty was earned through sheer effort and determination not to accept a draw. Fulham are a good side and these are the games we used to lose and draw, so we are showing a side of us that we've struggled to find before.

Adrian: Brighton have a habit of playing well and not winning - switched now to winning without playing well! It's a great habit. I still don't know what our best team is, but that's not a bad thing either.

Fulham fans

Will: Absolutely heart breaking stuff. Harrison Reed has been with us for so long so it's devastating that he made the error. It's a big mountain for us to get Europe now but they are there to be climbed.

Graham: Why do refs not stick to the extra time as indicated at the end of 90 minutes? Brighton penalty was awarded at 96 minutes. Only five minutes extra time were indicated. Football should having timing the same as rugby union. At least it's fare and exact.

Ash: It's a terrible 'trait' passing the ball back towards your own goal when you have possession in the opposition half, happened too often against Brighton. Scott Parker team tactics were based around that. You can't hurt the opponents doing that. A wasted opportunity.

Bri: Sadly this result is summing up our season; one minute hope, next minute despair! Again the boys seemed sloppy, allowing Brighton too much space and depending almost on counter attacking. Mid-table security is OK, let's take that for now.

John: Terrible defending, a free header and a stupid tackle for the penalty. We will only ever be an average middle to bottom Premier League team if we play like that.

Image source, Getty Images

Jan Paul van Hecke spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after scoring his first goal for Brighton against Fulham:

"I have a pain in my neck! [from scoring the goal]. I'm really happy that I could score my first goal and hopefully more to come."

On the reasons behind the recent upturn in form: "Everyone works really hard and you can see every game the effort we put in. With a combination of good players and a good plan, you can come really far and be hard to beat.

"We need to make sure we work really hard, put the effort in and we can beat anybody."

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

• Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Reuters

Brighton's hopes of securing an unlikely Champions League berth gathered further moment courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty from Joao Pedro.

The Seagulls' encounter with Fulham looked like it was meandering to a frustrating draw and had been largely uneventful until Pedro was brought down by Harrison Reed.

Raul Jimenez had put Fulham in front but that lead last a mere six minutes until Jan Paul van Hecke equalised.

Neither side could really find their rhythm throughout but Brighton did look the most likely to grab the winner after having two goals ruled out due to offside in the second half.

Pedro showed no sign of nerves as he stood atop of the ball from 12 yards out and he dispatched coolly into the corner to land Brighton's first-ever Premier League win over Fulham.

Brighton have won six successive games across all competitions and are on a four-match win streak in the top-flight for the first time since 1981.

Victory moves them up to sixth and just one point behind Manchester City who are fourth and in the final guaranteed Champions League spot.

Brighton travel to Man City for their next outing on Saturday at 15:00 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's victory against Fulham: "I haven't seen it [the penalty] yet so I will have a look and then I can say something to that. We deserved it. We were the only team on the pitch who really wanted to have this win. We created some, dominated the game, and defended well. It was not the best performance from us but I think it was a deserved win.

"We weren't at our highest level regarding our freshness but you have to play clever and mature in these moments. You have to defend in a mature way but we conceded an easy goal. We got some more intensity in the second half. I liked the attitude and the character from us.

On Carlos Baleba: "It's about for him to always stay alive the whole game and to find his moments. It's not about deciding the game. in his position in the six, it's about closing the gaps. You can do it with good movement.

"The most important is that we are so full of togetherness. The none starters who came on. These made the difference and that's the key for us.

"We want to win and have the feeling that we want to go for the winner but it's important not to force it. In the end, we landed in a dangerous situation for Fulham and then we got the penalty.

On the Champions League: "It's not in the discussion. We have to focus on the next game."

Image source, Getty Images

Since the start of last season, Joao Pedro has won more penalties than any other Premier League player in all competitions (9). Meanwhile, only Mohamed Salah (18) has scored more penalties than the Brazilian (13) during this period.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brighton's performance

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (12:30)

• Liverpool v Southampton - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Brighton v Fulham

• Brentford v Aston Villa (17:30) full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Everton (20:00)

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Both of these teams are doing well and whoever wins it will feel like they are right in the mix for a top-five finish.

Brighton are on their best run of the season and have won five games in a row since their 7-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest, while Fulham have won four of their past five away league games.

You could make a case for both teams, but that does not really help me to make a prediction, does it?

Fulham won the reverse fixture 3-1, in December, but the Seagulls were having a bit of a wobble at that point and clearly their form is very different now.

I feel like anything could happen here so there is no science behind this prediction, but I am going to go with my instincts.

My gut feeling is that we will get a winner... and I am picking Brighton to take the points.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler confirmed Karou Mitoma is available for selection after he was substituted against Newcastle: "He just had cramp - he will be an option. For the rest of the team, the options will be the same."

• He added: "Matt O'Riley is over his illness but we have to take care of his knee issue. We have to see if he can train. Lewis Dunk is closer, but still not an option."

• He says that everyone at the club is happy about Joel Veltman's contract extension: "He has proved he is a great player and has helped us in very difficult situations. He knows how to win games in the Premier League and he is a great character."

• On Saturday's opponents: "Fulham are very compact and have a clear style of play in possession. They have players who are mature in every position and who know how to stay calm in all situations. We are really looking forward to competing with them."

• Hurzeler says he has multiple options to replace the suspended Tariq Lamptey: "We played with Mats Weiffer last time and played with Jack Hinshelwood a few weeks ago. It will be a different style of play but I'm sure they will do it in a good way."

• On Yankuba Minteh's Premier League player of the month nomination: "It's well deserved, but it is important to understand that these small achievements only come from the team success. I'm happy with his development and he has improved out of possession. We still see a lot of improvement and a lot of potential."

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

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have won none of their nine Premier League games against Fulham but have instead drawn four and lost five.

It makes Fulham the opponent they have faced the most without winning and conversely Brighton are the opponent Fulham have faced the most without losing.

However, Brighton have won each of their past three Premier League games – only once have they ever won four consecutive top-flight matches, doing so in April/May 1981.

Fulham have scored in each of their past 12 Premier League away games, netting exactly twice in each of their past six. It is their longest run of scoring multiple goals on the road in top-flight history, and have only once had a longer overall scoring streak (14 between September 1959 and April 1960).

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

On Wednesday, Brighton held a virtual fans' question-and-answer session, set against a digital backdrop of the Amex Stadium, complete with seagulls.

Joel Veltman, Ferdi Kadioglu and Bart Verbruggen spoke to former striker Glenn Murray about their careers and the season so far.

When asked for his two favourite games - one for Brighton, one across his whole career - Veltman picked Ajax's Champions League quarter-final away win against Juventus in 2019 and Brighton's 4-0 win against Manchester United, where he came up against Cristiano Ronaldo in both.

I asked about the mentality that was required to bounce back from the 7-0 hammering at Nottingham Forest on 1 February - which they all said was the heaviest of their career - to record five straight wins, Brighton's best run since April 2017 when they were promoted from the Championship.

"Sometimes you need a big defeat to wake you up," said Veltman.

"When you lose a game like that, the feeling in the dressing room is something you do not want to feel again. It makes you fight even more."