Brighton & Hove Albion

Former Brighton defender Adam Webster says he is a little surprised by their success early on this season.

"I think in the summer it was quite a bit of a transition," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"A lot of senior players left, new players coming to the league, Andrew Crofts left who is a big character in the coaching team. So it has surprised me but at the same time it hasn't as I know how hard everyone at the club works in terms of bringing in all these players you have never heard of and all of a sudden they are superstars."

Asked how aware players are of the plans in place for them at Brighton given a tendency to loan players out, Webster said: "As players you want to play every game so sometimes, players want to go elsewhere to get that. Caicedo trained with us a few times, he was young and we were really impressed with him. Suddenly he goes on loan to a team in Belgium. He goes there, comes back in and was our best player.

"The chairman and manager all know there's a plan for these players to come in."

Watch clips of the show above and below or listen in full on BBC Sounds

Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton pointed to Brighton's lack of reliance on a single source of goals. "They have scored every type of goal - 11 different scorers. For Liverpool it's Isak, for Man City it's Haaland and yet for Brighton - have a guess? Top scorers there are three on three goals. They are spreading it about. They load the box brilliantly."

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Exactly a month ago on this page I wrote glowingly about Brighton, saying this:

"Arsenal's three-goal capitulation was initially a shock, but should it still be a surprise down at Brighton? This season the Seagulls have also scored three against Chelsea and Manchester United, four against Tromso and Aston Villa, while slapping Coventry with five.

"This does not look like a lucky run of form or a purple patch on the pitch; this looks like who they are now."

In that same newsletter, I reckoned they were comfortably capable of a top-six finish. Since then, they have scored seven without reply against Sunderland and old rivals Crystal Palace, while netting four more against Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris. My initial suggestion of top six sounds slightly less bold already, though I could argue that top six means anywhere from first to sixth, of course!

So I agree that they have the capability to stay up there, but can they overhaul Manchester City? Probably not, but then again, the question remains: will they need to? Any decent level of points deduction for City changes that dynamic immediately.

The next real challenger is, of course, Arsenal, which brings to mind the aforementioned three-goal capitulation by Mikel Arteta's men back in mid-September.

Even so, I am still not ready to call Brighton challengers for the title. The rigours of European football will not help them with limitations in their squad depth in comparison with City and Arsenal.

Brighton have five games in 14 very stressful days coming up; Liverpool away, Manchester City away twice (once in the cup) and two European trips.

If they are still on a winning streak after that gruelling period, no-one will be counting them out.

In simple terms, it would be a shock but not as big a shock as Leicester City being champions back in 2016.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Chris Adams
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

When Jack Hinshelwood unapologetically smashed home Brighton and Hove Albion's fifth goal of the game against bitter rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday, it completed a fourth straight Premier League win for the high-flying Seagulls - with an aggregate scoreline of 15-0.

Hinshelwood's volley from two yards out to wrap up a 5-0 victory was in stark contrast to his team-mate Diego Gomez's audacious effort from the halfway line that put Brighton two up in just the seventh minute of the A23 derby.

Fabian Hurzeler's free-scoring side have arguably been the most entertaining top-flight team to watch this season, but they have backed up their attacking flair with a robust defence. No team has scored more and no team has conceded fewer goals.

After seven games, they sit third on 16 points behind reigning champions Arsenal and table-toppers Manchester City, who have a 100% record. But can the Seagulls maintain their momentum and mount a serious title challenge?

"Why not?"

That's the opinion of Match of the Day pundit Dion Dublin, who played in Manchester United's 1992-93 title-winning side. "Because what we've seen of them this season is just togetherness, harmony... the manager's making good decisions.

"[Pascal] Gross is leading the line in regards to what goes on on the pitch and what is the right kind of way they want to play. And everybody's chipping in with goals. The look a very, very frightening team at the moment."

Read: Are free-scoring Brighton genuine title contenders?

Brighton are said to be "relaxed" about the long-term future of manager Fabian Hurzeler after an impressive start to the season, with the 33-year-old German linked to a possible move to Manchester United in recent weeks. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Kevin: Watching the game at home with my son, Josh, who commented, "blimey, it's like watching Barcelona". Summed it up rather well, I thought!

Alexander: What a time to be a Brighton fan. I'm one of only about 30 fans in our Scandinavian Brighton group on Facebook, but we are all ecstatic about this win. Surely only a matter of time until the continued success we are seeing will help grow the fanbase across Europe.

Mike: Electric. They chased down every ball - just like they did against Arsenal. A pure team performance.

Steve: Early days, but Fabian Hurzeler has the magic touch that the players are buying into. People are saying our squad depth will be a problem with Europe as well, but if he rotates properly and keeps everyone happy, this could be a defining season for Brighton. Hurzeler has his head screwed on. He won't be tempted by Manchester United yet, not while he's building something so special at Brighton. Tony Bloom recruits the right players, under the right manager, who plays the right system. Round pegs in round holes. It's brilliant and simple. Data analysis at its best.

Crystal Palace fans

Darren: The chickens have definitely come home to roost. Too many games, too many chances given to the opposition. We lack any defensive shape, and I'm sorry, but that's poor coaching. Pierre Sage needs to sort it out - quickly!

Ray: I feared we would be candidates for relegation right at the start of the season. Bad attitude in the camp where everyone half decent has been looking for a move away.

Terry: Sage needs more time, but Sunday and midweek is exactly why you cannot sell your two best centre-backs and not replace them with any experience or quality when you play a back three.

Adrian: Proper shocking. Sage has to change tactics and formation. We always give up an early chance. The defence is disorganised and the midfield needs help. We need leaders to grit their teeth and get about the opposition, and soon.

Match of the Day pundits Shay Given and Dion Dublin analyse Brighton's emphatic 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace, with Dublin saying the Seagulls could be in the title race.

"What we've seen from them this season has been togetherness and harmony," Dublin said. "The manager is making good decisions and [Pascal] Gross is leading the line on the pitch.

"What is going on on the pitch is the right way they want to play and everybody is chipping in with goals. They look like a very frightening team at the moment."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have never finished higher than sixth in English football's top flight, but now have 16 points from seven matches, with fan hopes rising that they could make a real push for Champions League qualification, or even a title challenge.

Their tally of 23 top-flight goals is four more than league leaders Manchester City, and more than double the 11 of reigning champions Arsenal.

Since the top flight was rebranded as the Premier League in 1992, only three sides have scored more goals across their first seven games of a season - Arsenal in 2009-10 (24), Manchester United in 2011-12 (24), and Manchester City in 2019-20 (27).

In the top five European leagues, only Barcelona, with 39 goals from nine La Liga matches, have more domestic league goals than Brighton.

With 10 different goalscorers, Brighton, third in the table, have also been the great entertainers of the season so far.

They won their opening league game 4-0 against an Aston Villa side that came fourth in 2025-26 and Fabian Hurzeler's team have shown that was not a one-off. Results since have included winning 5-0 at Coventry, 3-0 against Arsenal, 2-0 at Sunderland despite having a man sent off, and now 5-0 against rivals Palace.

In the Carabao Cup, they fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford and eliminate Manchester United. In Europe, they have justified their position as Conference League favourites, putting four past both Norwegian side Tromso and Lithuanian champions Kauno Zalgiris.

For Fabian Hurzeler, the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history when he was appointed in June 2024 at the age of 31, the atmosphere at the Amex could not have been any more different to their previous match with Crystal Palace.

When the Eagles won 1-0 in February, Brighton were 14th, had only won one of 12 league games with the home fans chanting "you're getting sacked in the morning" at their own boss.

Therefore, it is no surprise that Hurzeler is not getting carried away at his side's good form.

He was quick to shut down any talk that Brighton could be involved in the Premier League title race and said: "We have to stay very humble. The season will be long.

Read more on Brighton's brilliant form here

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler told BBC Sport: "Very happy for our fans. They waited long enough for this feeling. I'm happy for the staff and the whole club. Another good performance, another clean sheet.

"We played in the flow. To get in the flow, you have to do the simple things right. Be intense, win personal duels, second balls, be good at set-pieces."

On Diego Gomez's goal: "That's not simple to score a goal like this. Everyone speaks about his goal, but to me the most important thing is the things we can improve, small, easy passes we missed. It's good to celebrate the win, but understand there is still space for improvement, especially for individual players.

"We have to keep going. We can't be satisfied. We have to keep pushing, stay humble and understand why we are successful at the moment to keep pushing at that level."

More on Gomez's goal: "We don't train shots from 50 metres. Overall, we know he has a really good finish. In these moments it's about being very precise with his long kick. The perception to recognise the keeper and being quick to go to the action was impressive.

"We have just played six games. We have to stay very humble. The season will be long.

"It's a special game, especially for me, because now I'm really part of this club and part of this journey. I'm more happy that the fans have a good night out."

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was unbelievable. From the first minute to the last, we were the better side, and we showed what we were about at this moment of time. The intensity, the passion and everything we're doing at the moment is in a high place."

On Diego Gomez's goal: "He's got a hammer-foot and as soon as it left his today I was right behind him and I knew it was in. Unbelievable goal. He's playing with a lot of confidence, and he's showing it out there."

On whether Brighton are in a title race: "That's up to you to do that. That's not my job. We've just got to focus on the next game we've got to go to on Thursday. We've got a big game in the Conference League and another on Sunday and that's all we can focus on. I'll let you do the talking on that."

Did you know?

• Brighton and Hove Albion have scored 23 Premier League goals this season – their most ever at this stage of a campaign in the top four tiers. Indeed, only Barcelona have scored more goals than the Seagulls across the big-five leagues this term (39).

• Only Lamine Yamal (14) has been directly involved in more goals among teenagers across Europe's big-five leagues this season than Brighton and Hove Albion's Charalampos Kostoulas (5 – 3 goals, 2 assists).

Listen to more match reaction from Pascal Gross below or on BBC Sounds

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This victory continued a superb start to the season for Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton.

The Seagulls had drawn one and lost three of their past four matches against the Eagles, but this result was wrapped up inside the opening 10 minutes.

In-form midfielder Pascal Gross swung in a free-kick from the left wing and Jaydee Canvot headed into his own net at the near post to give the hosts a dream start.

Diego Gomez then produced his moment of magic, which left team-mates, supporters and pundits stunned.

"It's an amazing goal," said Match of the Day pundit Shay Given, a former Newcastle goalkeeper. "It was reminiscent of David Beckham [for Manchester United versus Wimbledon in 1996].

"I don't even blame Walter Benitez the goalkeeper. We're always talking about sweeper goalkeepers and you've got to be high up for the through ball and the defence playing a high line. I think his position was fine.

"You've just got to take your hat off to Gomez. That is just a brilliant, brilliant goal."

Meanwhile, former Premier League striker Efan Ekoku, part of the commentary team on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra called the strike "the goal of the season so far".

Brighton fans were in ecstasy again shortly after with Yasin Ayari making it 3-0. It was the earliest a side had scored three goals in a Premier League game since Newcastle in their 6-1 win over Tottenham in April 2023.

Fabian Hurzeler's side have been hugely entertaining this season and second-half goals from Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood took the team's tally to nine goals in four days – this win following on from putting four past Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris in the Conference League on Thursday.

Brighton are the top scorers in the Premier League, and this was another hugely impressive result after already beating Aston Villa 4-0, reigning champions Arsenal 3-0 and 5-0 away at Coventry City.

It was also their biggest win over Crystal Palace since a 5-0 success on 14 January, 1956. That victory came when both sides were in the old Division Three South.

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 Crystal Palace's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

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

• Bournemouth v Sunderland

• Brighton v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds United v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

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

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Arsenal" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Brighton match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

I am not quite sure how Crystal Palace beat Nottingham Forest last week, because Forest had some incredible chances.

I don't see the Eagles getting anything here, though, because Brighton are absolutely flying at the moment.

The Seagulls showed great resilience to hold on at 1-0 with 10 men in their win against Sunderland last week and ended up scoring a second goal right at the end too.

Again, both teams play in Europe on Thursday so they will have to find the right balance with their team selections - but I don't see it affecting Brighton any more than it will Palace.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 BST), as Brighton host Crystal Palace seeking a record-equalling fourth consecutive Premier League win.

Seagulls soaring on all fronts

There is simply no stopping Brighton right now. Thursday's 4-0 win over Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris was their fifth consecutive victory, with the Seagulls scoring 17 goals and conceding just two during that run.

Not even a controversial red card for defender Pascal Struijk, subsequently rescinded, could derail them at Sunderland last weekend. Albion played the final half-hour on Wearside with 10 men but still secured a 2-0 victory, sealed by Jaouen Hadjam's stoppage-time strike.

They are now on the cusp of equalling a club record by winning four consecutive Premier League games and can do so without conceding a goal for the first time.

Third-placed Brighton have made a habit of starting strongly in recent years. This is the fourth time in six seasons they have collected at least 13 points at this stage of a campaign, with only Arsenal and Manchester City having done so more often.

The challenge for boss Fabian Hurzeler is to maintain that momentum while managing the additional demands of the Conference League. It may help that opponents Crystal Palace were also in European action on Thursday and, unlike the Seagulls, played away.

Squad depth could prove crucial in the coming months, and Jack Hinshelwood's midweek return from injury, coupled with Georginio Rutter's brace, provided an encouraging reminder of the resources at Hurzeler's disposal.

Defensive issues persist for Palace

Crystal Palace claimed their first Premier League home win under Pierre Sage last weekend and are now seeking back-to-back top-flight victories for the first time since December 2025.

The Eagles rode their luck against Nottingham Forest, allowing their opponents eight opportunities that Opta defines as "big chances". It was only the second time in 13 years that a Premier League side had conceded so many clear-cut openings and still won.

Sage acknowledged that goalkeeper Walter Benitez had kept Palace in the game with several important saves. "I have to congratulate him because when you play as number two, it's always difficult," he said.

The Argentine, who is deputising for the injured Dean Henderson, could not prevent his side from losing 3-2 to Lyon on Thursday and is likely to be kept busy again at Amex Stadium.

Palace have faced 108 shots with a combined expected goals value of 12.8, both Premier League highs after six matches.

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

When Brighton lost at home to Crystal Palace in February, Fabian Hurzeler was booed by his own supporters and subjected to chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning".

"There are only two options," said the German after the 1-0 defeat by their fierce rivals left his team floundering 14th in the table with one win in 12 Premier League matches.

"Give up or keep pushing harder, and that's always the option I choose in my life."

Eight months on, Brighton are reaping the benefits of keeping faith with the man who became the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history when he was appointed in June 2024 at the age of 31.

Palace return to Amex Stadium on Sunday (14:00 BST kick-off) to face opponents who are third in the table after statement wins over defending champions Arsenal and Europa League winners Aston Villa.

Hurzeler's stock has rocketed after 11 wins in 18 top-flight games, a run that has propelled the Seagulls back into Europe and left fans - who shouted "you don't know what you're doing" at him just a few months ago - worried that he could be lured away.

Following last Saturday's win at Sunderland, there was chat on the post-match phone-ins that Hurzeler, rewarded with a new long-term contract before the end of last season and given £150m to spend on signings in the summer, could be a prime target for a big club looking for a manager.

Scott McCarthy, from the We Are Brighton fan site, said Hurzeler appeared to have lost the crowd to such a degree at one stage last season than even a few wins would not be enough to turn it around.

"He looked like a manager who was out of ideas," McCarthy told BBC Sport.

"Leaving the stadium after losing at home to Palace, the only conversation fans were having was: 'he has got to go'.

"It's totally different now. It's worked out phenomenally."

Will Brighton manage to keep hold of Hurzeler, who has gone from managing in Germany's fifth tier to reported interest, external from Manchester United?

Read more about Hurzeler's rise here

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Amex Stadium (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Pascal Struijk will be assessed on Saturday before a decision is made on his availability for Sunday.

• No other sidelined players will recover in time for the Palace match, but Mats Wieffer and Yankuba Minteh will be a "quite quick return". Hurzeler added they will "have to be a bit more patient" with Karou Mitoma.

• On why he thinks so many players have been on the scoresheet this season: "Quality from the players. They all have a hunger to improve every day. I have ideas and principles, but it's the players that have to live it and believe it's their idea. The players do and that's something I really appreciate for them."

• He added that his players "show desire to score" by "attacking the box with intention" and make runs for one another which shows "sacrifice".

• On what he enjoys the most about the rivalry with Palace: "Nothing yet because I haven't won any so far. Hopefully, on Sunday this changes and then I can enjoy it."

• He said he "knows how important this game is for the fans and club" so they "will try to go all-in and give the supporters the win".

• More on the derby and continuing their run of form: "It's a big game for the club and for us. I know the meaning and we are all desperate to win it, but we are not going into this game only focusing on the result. We want to do things that make us strong [performance-wise] and that will always be our approach."

• He praised the "very impressive" home support against Kauno Zalgiris and thanked everyone "who created the environment".

Listen to live commentary of Brighton v Crystal Palace on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds from 14:00 BST on Sunday.

Find more from Hurzeler by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

Follow all the key lines from Friday's Premier League news conference's and the rest of the day's football news