Brighton & Hove Albion

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace have turned their attentions to Brighton centre-back Igor Julio in their search for a potential Marc Guehi replacement.

Palace are set to confirm the signing of Toulouse centre-back Jaydee Canvot, but are also after a second defender in order to let Guehi leave for Liverpool.

Igor is emerging a target for Palace and talks are understood to be under way before the 19:00 BST deadline.

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

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When a 16-year-old James Milner netted his first Premier League goal for Leeds against Sunderland in 2002, he probably would not have expected to be scoring another in the top flight 23 years later.

In converting from the penalty spot aged 39 years and 239 days in Brighton's 2-1 win against his former club Manchester City, Milner became the Premier League's second-oldest goalscorer, adding to the feat of being the second youngest when aged 16 years and 356 days.

Teddy Sheringham holds the oldest record at 40 years and 268 days when he scored for West Ham against Portsmouth on 26 December 2006, while James Vaughan was aged 16 years and 270 days when he netted for Everton against Crystal Palace on 10 April 2005.

Asked about the spot-kick which cancelled out Erling Haaland's opener and sparked Brighton's comeback success, Milner told Sky Sports "it's not the easiest thing, but my experience helped".

That highlights a standout aspect of his career and character. With 640 appearances, few can compete with his level of involvement in the top flight.

His goal ended a six-year drought, back to when he netted for Liverpool at Leicester City in 2019, yet the gap of 2,075 days is only the 50th longest in the Premier League.

Milner's former City and England team-mate Joe Hart said the versatile player - who turns 40 in January and can play at full-back or midfield - "still looks fit and fresh".

Such is the longevity of Milner's career, he has now scored in the Premier League against goalkeepers born in the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s and 2000s.

"An absolute legend of the game," is how he was described by former Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"His longevity, his fitness... he came on today and scored an excellent penalty.

"When you need those experienced players to step up in moments he does, he was never going to shy away from it."

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

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Brighton aren't expected to be very busy on deadline day having made moves for their key targets early in the window. Summer signings have been eased in, with only Maxim de Cuyper regularly featuring in the Seagulls' Premier League starting XI.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler has reiterated that he is happy with the squad but not totally ruled out late business.

With Tariq Lamptey possibly set to leave, a right full-back could make sense - but Albion have several midfielders who can deputise for Joel Veltman.

Meanwhile, Matt O'Riley is set to join Marseille on loan and Jeremy Sarmiento, Julio Enciso and Facundo Buonanotte are all expected to leave.

Following Joao Pedro's move to Chelsea and Evan Ferguson's departure on loan to Roma, Danny Welbeck is the only recognised number nine, but Giorginio Rutter can push higher up the pitch.

Stephanos Tzimas, Babis Kostoulas and Tommy Watson are young and developing attacking talents who will only improve, but they may have to be patient for their chance.

Last week, a smiling Hurzeler gave a few hints that there may be some possible late arrivals, but you feel he will remain satisfied with his options if nothing materialises.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on what is still needed by Brighton on transfer deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Rufus: Try and get Kobbie Mainoo on loan from Manchester United as he is just as good as Carlos Baleba and will add to midfield depth.

Dyl: One word - striker. We need a striker that can finish. The reason we can't kill games off is because we don't have a lethal finisher. There are so many options for strikers but the manager needs to spend money on people we need rather than more defenders.

Tony: I'm worried that Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas will take time to get up to speed, and in the meantime we might struggle to score. I feel that we are perhaps one proven Premier League striker short. I'm a big fan of Jorgen Strand Larsen. He seems the ideal fit, but clearly Wolves don't want to sell and we'll need to part with a huge fee to get him.

Derek: Harvey Elliott is totally worth the sum if Liverpool will let him go.

Anthony: If Fabian Hurzeler is going to insist on not playing Tzimas in the league, I still think we need to bring in a proven striker. I don't think an approach for Aleksandar Mitrovic on a deal until the end of the season is as ridiculous as it might sound. It's difficult to not be worried about our lack of converting chances in the league and we're only two games in.

Peter: Keep Baleba - plain and simple.

Baltos: Basically, stick with the squad as it is. However, it is imperative that we don't let any star names go, Karou Mitoma and Baleba especially. If Chelsea come knocking, take the offer price and double it!

Today is the second transfer deadline day of the summer following a brief closure in June because of the Club World Cup.

In a change to previous windows, clubs only have until 19:00 BST to complete deals, bringing the Premier League in line with the EFL, Italy's Serie A, France's Ligue 1 and Germany's Bundesliga. The window in Scotland and Spain remains open until 23:00 BST.

It has already been a hectic window - with a number of storylines still to be resolved - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

Get alerts and keep up to date with all the latest news, insight and fan views for your club

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Brighton and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Tony: First, Fabian Hurzeler deserves great credit for the quadruple substitution that turned the game on its head. We were very poor until that point. However, I was surprised by City's decline. They are a shadow of their former selves. Their first-half display was possibly the most cynical and negative I have ever witnessed.

Fran: Sloppy and sluggish first half, but the subs again made the difference. I thought James Milner used his experience and we looked a totally different side. Deserved to win.

Chris: Same old one poor half and one good half. A relief to finally get three points - especially against City - after three games, but worry is for another season of inconsistency under Hurzler.

Jane: Subs made all the difference. Surely some of these guys need to start the next game? I would also suggest the new strikers should at least be on the bench, otherwise the money is wasted, isn't it?

Man City fans

Silvio: Pep Guardiola must go! His type of game is over. It would only work with outstanding talents and he no longer has them. Other teams know how to outsmart his tactics and he destroys talented players by de-skilling them - look what he did with Jack Grealish and look how he is performing under Moyes. Tiki-taka football might give you possession, but once you lose the ball you're wide open. He must go.

Ged: Pass, pass, backwards, sideways, pass, sideways - repeat endlessly without any end product. Arrogance, laziness and redundant tactics. The game has changed, Pep - change with it. There is no fear factor when playing City any more. If bringing on Jeremy Doku and Rico Lewis to try to change the game is the answer, then we really are bereft of originality. The only saving grace is that there are plenty of games left.

Mark: Taxi for Pep. No improvement from last season. Same predictable, sterile football. Boring. The club is now more interested in making money than winning trophies. Transfers in the past two seasons have been atrocious. Bring back Vincent Kompany.

Paul: Out of the title race in August. Same issues as last year - no intensity and can't defend.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 2-1 Manchester City

• Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

• Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal

• Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

An impressive second-half display helped Brighton come back from behind to defeat Manchester City 2-1 and get their first win of the Premier League season.

The Seagulls have had a difficult start to their league campaign as they were cruelly denied an opening day win against Fulham by a 97th-minute equaliser from Rodrigo Muniz.

They then were beaten 2-0 at Everton after Fabian Hurzeler's side spurned a number of chances in the first half.

And it looked like more of the same script for much of the first half against Pep Guardiola's City on Sunday.

But Hurzeler proved why he is one of the most promising managers in the business with a quadruple change at the hour mark which turned the game on its head.

Brajan Gruda and James Milner, who both scored, were among the substitutes along with Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari.

Milner, wearing the number 20 shirt, converted from the penalty to draw level and paid tribute to his former team-mate Diogo Jota with his celebration.

But the Seagulls continued to probe and forced City goalkeeper James Trafford into one save after another before Gruda rounded him and finished into an open goal to help his side get a much-needed victory.

With confidence restored, Brighton will make a trip to Bournemouth for their next game after international break on 14 September.

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's victory against Manchester City: "Sometimes football is not too much about tactics. It's about energy, intensity and togetherness on the pitch. The substitutes came in and made the difference. You always can spread energy and it gives your teammates and the whole crowd energy and that is very important in football.

"What we did after we scored the goal and the subs is that we had the belief. We weren't happy and satisfied with the 1-1, we want to go for the second and we deserved it.

"Pep [Guardiola] is for me the best coach in the world and it is always a big challenge to face him. He always had new ideas and you have to adapt. It is always the biggest challenge to compete against him but it's not a one man show it is a team performance, and I am very happy that my players delivered that on the pitch, they committed to each other, suffered together.

On James Milner's penalty: "He proved already in training, that's why he was chosen to take it today. So I am very happy for him. Not only for the goal but he is still a very important personality and player on the pitch for us. He came on and brought energy and organised it, so I am happy for him."

Milner also spoke after Sunday's victory: "I thought last season might be my last [because of injury]. It's nice to get it [the goal] in a victory. I'm delighted for the boys. In the first two games we didn't feel we got what we deserved. This win was a real squad effort. It was a great move by the manager [to make four changes at once]. The least we can do is come on and try and lift the tempo.

On his tribute to his former team-mate Diogo Jota: "It was horrific [what happened to him]. He was a great guy and a great team-mate. I loved him as both. I've not scored [in the Premier League] for six years and I was wearing his number. Obviously I've got help from the great man."

"Football is not about tactics, it's about intensity and energy you bring on the pitch. That's what we showed today.

"Today we had to believe, players always have to believe and I have to believe in my team. With the subs we had that belief and we had the crowd with us. When the crowd is there, the stadium is unbelievable and it was very helpful for us.

"You have to know the characters of the players. Who is bringing energy, who is organising. We thought we needed more energy so that was the thinking behind the four subs. They delivered when they came on. But four players cannot change the game so it is always a team performance with the players who are already on the pitch.

"A great performance from the skipper. The defence were impressive, to stop [Erling] Haaland is not easy. There was great confidence between the defenders and made it look really good."

Did you know?

James Milner's penalty – his first Premier League goal since Boxing Day 2019 for Liverpool – made him the oldest ever penalty scorer in a Premier League game and the second oldest scorer ever (39 years, 239 days), behind Teddy Sheringham (40 years, 268 days).

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

Have your say on Brighton's performance

What did you make of Man City's display?

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

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler makes three changes from the 2-0 defeat by Everton last week.

Diego Gomez, Jack Hinshelwood and Joel Veltman are among the starters as Matt O'Riley, Yasin Ayari and Mats Wieffer miss out.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Welbeck, Mitoma, Gomez, De Cuyper, Veltman.

Subs: Steele, Gruda, Rutter, Milner, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Ayari, O'Riley, Coppola

The big news from the Manchester City camp is that Pep Guardiola has insisted with James Trafford in the goal with Ederson's future at the club uncertain.

They make four changes from the 2-0 defeat by Tottenham last week, including a first start for Rodri since a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September 2024. Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov and Bernardo Silva also come in.

Manchester City XI: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Marmoush, Rodri, Silva, Ait-Nouri, Nunes, Khusanov, Bobb, Haaland.

Subs: Ederson, Dias, Ake, Doku, Gonzalez, Gundogan, Akanji, O'Reilly, Lewis.

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

• Brighton v Man City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace (19:00)

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction from the two 14:00 matches here

Get Liverpool v Arsenal here

And Aston Villa v Crystal Palace is here

Which Manchester City side will we see? I said last week on Football Focus and Final Score that the goalkeepeing situation with James Trafford worries the life out of me. I don't think he should be playing ahead of Ederson, even if there is talk of Ederson leaving.

Brighton should've won their first game against Fulham - they didn't and then they lost to Everton despite having a fair few chances.

This match could be anything. I think we'll find out a lot about Manchester City and whether they can be challengers because Brighton away is a difficult fixture.

Last season I backed City on so many occasions saying they'd bounce back. I got so many of the predictions wrong after they did the exact opposite and stayed on their bad run.

There's a strong chance I'll be wrong again, wouldn't be the first time, but I'm going to revert back to last season's technique and say City will pinch this.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 BST.

How would you assess your window? And if you think work still needs to be done, give us names of who should be brought in or let go.

Get in touch with your views here

Tom White
BBC Sport

Brighton host Manchester City on the south coast this Sunday. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the fixture's key themes.

Brighton made 11 changes for their Carabao Cup match against Oxford United in midweek, prompting an instant change in fortune in front of goal. The Seagulls, who had managed just one goal from their opening two games of the Premier League campaign despite an xG of 3.91, put six past the Championship side, including debut goals for trio Olivier Boscagli, Stefanos Tzimas and Tom Watson.

Fabian Hurzeler's side host Manchester City hoping to avoid failing to win their opening three games of a league season for the first time since their debut Premier League campaign in 2017-18. Hurzeler will take encouragement from his side's record against City in 2024-25, winning this fixture 2-1 in November before a 2-2 draw in Manchester last March.

The German is looking to become just the second manager, after Ronald Koeman, to be undefeated against Pep Guardiola in three top-flight matches.

City's 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham last weekend was a stark reminder that Guardiola still has a team in transition. He stated afterwards that his side needed "more composure with the ball" to keep improving.

One problem he doesn't have is in the striker department. Erling Haaland is due to make his 100th Premier League appearance this weekend and has been more prolific than any other player to reach that milestone. His tally of 87 goals is one more than West Bromwich Albion managed in their first 100 Premier League games.

Manchester City's recent away league form is strong – they are unbeaten in their past five on the road, without conceding a goal. On Sunday, they can set a club record of six consecutive away clean sheets in the league.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton striker Abdallah Sima has joined Ligue 1 side Lens for an undisclosed fee.

The Senegalese striker failed to make an appearance for the Seagulls after signing from Slavia Prague in August 2021.

During his four-year stay at the club, the 24-year-old completed loan spells at Stoke City, Angers, Rangers and most recently Brest, where he scored 10 goals in 39 appearances last season.

Albion technical director David Weir said: "This move suits all parties and gives Abdallah the opportunity to get regular game time in an environment he is familiar with and has thrived in.

"We wish him all the best for the next chapter in his career."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber has bought a stake in the club.

Barber, who joined the club in 2012, has purchased newly issued shares and now owns 1.5% of the shares in existence.

Chairman Tony Bloom said: "Paul is a major driving force at the club, he has been integral to our incredible progress since his arrival in the summer of 2012 and we would like him to remain with us for many seasons to come.

"He has already committed to the club until at least 2030, and we wanted to offer him this opportunity to further commit, and also to recognise his level of service and loyalty to the club.

"I regard Paul as the best chief executive in football and I am delighted he is now a co-owner of the club."

Barber commented: "It is a minority and some way behind Tony's majority shareholding, but nonetheless I'm very proud indeed to co-own a small part of a football club I've come to love over the past 13 years."

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Serie A's emerging power Como 1907 are weighing up a move for Brighton defender Igor Julio.

The 27-year-old is on the Italian club's shortlist to strengthen their backline but no official offer has been lodged.

But the move could prove attractive with Como well-funded by US investors and now managed by legendary midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Sources say the Brazilian centre-back would need convincing to return to Italian football having joined Brighton from Fiorentina for £14.5m in 2023.

Yet, Igor has also struggled to establish himself on the south coast and made only 16 appearances last season under manager Fabian Hurzeler due to a mixture of injury and being left on the bench.

Igor started in the 6-0 win at Oxford United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening and it remains to be seen whether Brighton would welcome any offers.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League home game against Manchester City (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He is "unsure" whether Georginio Rutter will be available for the City game but he is "close" to returning.

• On the emphatic 6-0 Carabao Cup win: "It's so important as it gives you energy. You can feel it in the building today."

• Stefanos Tzimas, who scored twice on his senior debut, "will be an option" for the squad "soon" as "every goal gets him closer to the team".

• On so many players making their debuts against Oxford: "No player here gets a chance just because they are a player for us. They need to deserve it. That is what I demand from them. There is a big competition now [for places] and that is what I like."

• He said it is "a results business" and only getting two points from the opening two games is disappointing, but "long-term the results will come if we keep working".

• More on their start to the campaign: "I judge them by their work ethic and performance. I believe if you keep on working and have the best effort on the pitch then you will get what you deserve in the end."

• He said he is "very happy with the squad" but did not rule out any further incomings before the transfer window closes on Monday.

• In response to whether Carlos Baleba will 100% remain at the club: "Yes. If there was a number more than 100 then I would say that. I am confident."

• Julio Enciso "is back" to continue his rehabilitation as his reported move to Strasbourg appears to have fallen through.

• On opponents Manchester City: "They are still a top team. They are playing a little bit of a different style and shape, but they are still Manchester City."

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

Listen to live commentary of Brighton v Manchester City on 5 Live from 14:00 BST on Sunday

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Brighton's 19-year-old forward Stefanos Tzimas says that it's important to "stay grounded" after Wednesday's 6-0 win over Oxford United in the League Cup.

Tzimas came off the bench to score twice and assist once on his first Albion appearance.

"I'm very happy about my debut," Tzimas said. "I scored two goals and managed to help the team but now we have to stay grounded and focused.

"I'm here to work hard, and the guys help me in training a lot. I'm settling well here, and it's a really good environment."

He also credited fellow Greek team-mate Charalampos Kostoulas for helping him feel at home.

"I knew him from Greece four years ago and it's very helpful because we're Greeks who help each other, and we feel better together," he added.

Listen to Tzimas and more Brighton reaction

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

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday night's Carabao Cup game between Oxford United and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: OK, it was Oxford United. Even so, a competent and expected win. The Greek boys looking good, but the jury should be out until they play against the big boys in the Premier League. A much needed win and a confidence booster for the games to come.

Raymond: Good to watch. Could have been eight or 10. Don't read too much into it but defence needs tightening in whatever team we put out.

Sarah: Jason Steele needs to be our number one!

Steve: Great performance giving the manager some serious pause for thought for team selection. Steele in goal was faultless and must be a contender to take over between the posts. Three goalscoring debutants, and Gruda giving a player of the match performance. Finally, Tzimas scoring two and looking like a proper striker! Exciting times ahead!

Mick: A good display against a very physical opposition. Some very good displays. Defence looked good and kept their shape well. The debutants acquitted themselves really well. Gruda was man of the match but Tzimas ran him close with two amazing goals. Begs the question why wasn't he on the bench on Saturday?

Peter: Fabulous display and it looks like we've got a decent number nine in Tzimas. Good displays all round and Gruda and Gomez were superb as well. Hopefully Fabian has seen enough to put Tzimas and Kostoulas in the league side.

Tony: It'll be interesting to see if Tzimas starts on Sunday. He's made quite the impact here.