Brighton & Hove Albion

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Fabian Hurzeler is only two games into life as the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history, but already the rest of English football is paying him and Brighton a great deal of respect.

Take Erik ten Hag for example. The Manchester United manager had clearly spent a lot of time scratching his head while formulating a plan to best stop the Albion by nullifying their wingers.

Not so long ago, United would have turned up at the Amex and simply believed their own way and quality would be enough to roll over Brighton.

Not anymore. The mighty Manchester United view the Seagulls as a threat and have to adapt accordingly. The result was Kaoru Mitoma and Yankubu Minteh being kept quiet by the excellent Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui for the most part.

Last season, this would have been a major problem. Roberto De Zerbi was often accused of no Plan B.

In contrast, Hurzeler’s Seagulls found a way to win despite having their main supply line shutdown. The head coach made the right changes at precisely the right time, culminating in substitutes Julio Enciso, Yasin Ayari and Simon Adingra all playing a part in the build up to Joao Pedro’s 95th-minute winner.

If Brighton want to return to Europe in 2025-26, taking points off clubs like United also likely to be in the battle for a sixth place finish is vital. More shrewd management like this from Hurzeler across the remaining 36 games and he could become the youngest permanent manager in Europa League history.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has raised the prospect of striker Evan Ferguson and fulll-back Pervis Estupinan returning to action in the local derby with Crawley tonight.

Neither player has figured so far this season despite returning to training following their respective ankle injuries.

Hurzeler has hinted at an intention to use players against Crawley who are yet to feature in the Premier League.

That might also mean involvement for new signings, including club record £40m buy Georginio Rutter and Brajan Gruda, a £25m arrival from Mainz earlier this month.

"There will be rotation but I don’t know how many and who," said Hurzeler.

"We have to have a look at who is ready to play and try to figure out what is best for each individual player to get him in shape to play a Premier League game as quickly as possible."

Chris Sutton has admitted he was wrong, after thinking Brighton "could get sucked into a relegation battle".

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club - after the Seagulls made it two wins from two in the Premier League this season - Sutton said he thinks they have had a very positive transfer window. He feels Brighton have "stolen" Celtic's best player and always have a good plan.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Are you keen to get a glimpse of what Brighton are getting in Matt O'Riley?

Take a look at some of these well-timed runs and composed finishes.

We asked for your views on Matt O'Riley, who completed his move to Brighton on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Marcus: He will be a great addition to the midfield for Brighton. It’s a great move for him and he will be given time to settle into the squad. Good age, good price and could become one of the standout signings of the window.

Carl: Another canny signing down at the Amex - so many international pedigree players in the squad, young with decent length contracts and sell on potential.

James: O'Riley could be the guy who helps us get European football next season. Fits our philosophy, young, attacking and agile. Can’t wait to see him in the Premier League.

Steve: If Gilmour really does want away, then O'Riley is the perfect replacement, if not an improvement.

Image source, Getty Images

New Brighton signing Matt O'Riley says manager Fabian Hurzeler's "brutal honesty" helped him make the decision to join the Seagulls.

O'Riley's £25m move from Scottish champions Celtic was confirmed on Monday, with Hurzeler calling the 23-year-old's abilities as a box-to-box midfielder "special".

"Very, very happy," O'Riley told club media in his first interview as a Brighton player. "It's definitely taken a while.

"It got a little bit stressful the past couple of weeks if I'm being honest because the talks were ongoing for a good couple of months, but I'm just really happy to be here now.

"I spoke to the manager as well and he did a really good job of selling the club and we had a really nice chat. He told me where I would fit in in terms of the structure.

"I spoke to a lot of people in regards to the whole feel about the place and the people. I got the impression that everybody was really, really nice and that's something I'd like to be a part of.

"I liked his honesty. He didn't just butter me up like he could have done because I was in a position where there were other clubs looking at me.

"He was just brutally honest in the sense of he can help me with a lot of things as well that I need to improve on.

"I liked the fact he didn't just speak about the positive things because I'm someone that would like to improve a lot and coming to a place like this where everyone wants to improve is something that I was really looking forward to."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have completed the signing of midfielder Matt O'Riley from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

The 23-year-old joins the Seagulls on a five-year deal for fee understood to be in the region of £25m.

O'Riley was at Fulham's academy before joining MK Dons in 2021 and then made the move to Celtic in January 2022, where he played 124 times, scoring 27 goals and providing 35 assists.

Manager Fabian Hurzeler said on the signing: "He plays a very specialist position; he is very good at occupying and attacking the right space. He likes making deep runs, and know when to attack at the right time.

"He enjoys getting forward and attacking the opponent's penalty area, but he also has a good defensive instinct. That balance makes him special. He is a great character, and has a good ambition to succeed and that's something which is very important for us."

How do you feel about the deal, Brighton fans? The type of player you needed?

Let us know here, external

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

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Mick: A good performance. It took a while to get into the game and it was a quiet game for a few players. Milner, Gilmour and Pedro especially were the standout players. Minteh was a big threat in the first half, but he lacked that final pass. I'm looking forward to getting a permanent and recognised left-back. Keep the faith.

Normski: 'Never say die' performance. However, teams better than Manchester United would have capitalised more on Brighton's carelessness. Great changes near the end and it was so good to see Gilmour play his usual brilliant match. He has to stay!

Guy: A great performance. James Milner was outstanding in the centre of the park. He was instrumental in the way Brighton played and he was constantly looking for a forward pass. That finish from Pedro in the 95th minute is what you pay your money to see!

Steve: A great start to the season for Brighton. To be fair to Manchester United, the game could have gone either way. Ultimately, the substitutions seemed to make the difference. We could be in for some good times down on the south coast this season!

Man Utd fans

Terence: It is not about tactics, style or managers. This Manchester United squad do not have anywhere near enough quality to challenge. They are now two games in with a 50% win record. The likes of Manchester City and Arsenal will be giggling to themselves. Manchester United are simply not good enough.

Keith: We can't score and can't defend - same old story. I dread the nonsense Erik ten Hag will come out with. It is no good creating chances if you don't take them. Football is simple - score more than the other team and you will win. We need a prolific and proven striker now!

Tom: It is so boring seeing the same old issues. We haven't improved from last season at all. The midfield shape fell apart as soon as Mount came off, we looked wide open again. Fernandes coming off when we needed a goal was criminal. Rashford shouldn't be anywhere near this team either. Embarrassing.

Charlie: Most of our players aren't even excited to be on the pitch, let alone win! Erik ten Hag continues to prioritize his perception of the players' potentials instead of the reality that many of them are too slow, tactically inept and otherwise uninspired. Our last two managers have sucked the love of the game out of the dressing room. We look lost and despondent... again.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Goalscorer Danny Welbeck was not the only Brighton veteran to impress in Saturday's win over Manchester United.

Thirty-eight-year-old James Milner also produced an outstanding performance, which would have been capped with a second-half goal had Diogo Dalot not cleared off the line.

Milner's attention to detail with his own preparation is the stuff of legend.

But new Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has already seen Milner is not just demanding of himself.

"From the first second I recognise he is a leader and why he had a successful career," said Hurzeler.

"He is a role model in preparing himself for training and doing regeneration.

"But he is very demanding and very honest, it is an honesty you won’t see a lot of times in football and he helps the team with it.

"If we do running in training for instance, if a player is not in line when he is running back, he (Milner) can be quite loud.

"He knows I make the decisions but I try to use his knowledge."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari says he is "enjoying every day in the training ground" after returning to Amex Stadium following loan spells with Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers last season.

The 20-year-old, who signed from AIK Solna in January 2023, had been sent out on two loan spells in the Championship last term, before returning to work under new boss Fabian Hurzeler this summer.

After impressing the German manager in pre-season, the Sweden international has already made two substitute appearances in this Premier League campaign - helping the Seagulls to see out victories against Everton and Manchester United.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after the 2-1 win over Erik ten Hag's side, Ayari said: "It was amazing. I get goosebumps thinking about it! I think we worked really hard and we deserved the result.

"I love it here - it is the place I want to be. I'm enjoying every day in the training ground. The group is amazing and the staff are as well, so I'm enjoying it.

"The new style is good. It is kind of similar to what we were doing before, just with some other things. Fabian [Hurzeler] is a good coach, so it has been really good.

"He has just told me to keep doing my thing and do what I'm good at. That is why I'm here, so I've just got to keep doing my best and trying to improve every single day.

"I think we can achieve a lot of good things this season. Like Fabian said when he came, we want to challenge the establishment.

"We have already played two amazing games, and won those games, so we just have to keep being humble and winning the games we play. I'm looking forward to the next two games against Crawley and Arsenal."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Celtic's Denmark midfielder Matt O'Riley, 23, is having a medical before his move to Brighton for what will be a record sale by a Scottish club. (Sky Sports), external

Napoli are hoping to sign Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour from Brighton, with the 23-year-old set to have a medical this week. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven 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:

• Tottenham 4-0 Everton

• Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

I'm sure he has said it a few times, but I remember talking to Brighton chief executive Paul Barber not long ago where he told me there was 'no glass ceiling' for his club.

Beating Manchester United for the fifth time in six Premier League games is still something to celebrate, but it is the backdrop to this latest success that creates the glow.

They have a new manager, loads of unused new players and some experienced older ones, who have seen it and done it all but are still working hard to show the younger ones how it is done.

Danny Welbeck excelling on a day when 20-year-old Yankuba Minteh showed flashes of brilliance, but could clearly benefit from guidance of his older team-mate, just highlights the development in Fabian Hurzeler's squad.

It is a good job there is no glass ceiling. It would have been smashed... again.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was very emotional. It always is when you get the win in the last minute. I think we deserved to win - we had a good game, not a perfect game. There were also situations where Manchester United had the chance to win the game.

"I'm very proud of the team. They showed the value of never giving up and that is very important to me.

"I think the first half was equal and then in the second half we started to control the game quite well. We had a lot of chances, especially in the second half.

"For me, their goal was from out of nowhere. Then I didn't like losing the control. Then, after their offside goal, I think we started to control the game again. In the end, I think we deserved to win."

On goalscorer Joao Pedro: "I think Joao is a player who can decide the game with one action. For me, it was impressive today how he worked against the ball.

"He had the belief that he would score and that is something that makes him special. But, in the end, it's always a team win and that is most important."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton goalscorer Joao Pedro has been speaking to TNT Sports after the win: "First of all, I'm very happy for the win. I think that the goal at the end shows how much we wanted to win the game - [our] first game at home against a big team. I cannot feel better than today. I think the team did well and now we need to rest because we have another big game next weekend."

On the fans' reaction at full-time: "I think the fans know the power of the team, so they always expect a great game against big teams. Today we won, so I think everyone is happy and we need to enjoy it."

On staying motivated in the game: "Like the gaffer said to us, we need to believe in ourselves. We know they are Manchester United - a big club - but I think everyone wants to show our power. I think this is what motivates us to fight against the big teams and then you never know. Now we need to think about the next game, [against] another big team."

On Fabian Hurzeler's impact: "I think he is a very good person. He always tries to push us to believe in ourselves and to keep it going. I think it was another big game for us, another three points, and this is what he wants: to fight and push until the end."