CORNERFLICK
Brighton’s start to the season has put them in the Champions League conversation. The Seagulls are second in the Premier League on 22 points and five behind the leaders.
Why their form has stood out
The numbers back up the results. Brighton have scored 26 goals in their first 10 league matches, created 37 big chances and conceded only five, while also keeping seven clean sheets.
Their wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, including Arsenal’s only league defeat so far, have underlined that this is not a fleeting run.
Hürzeler’s side have a clear structure
Hürzeler has Brighton pressing high and man-marking aggressively, with the team looking to win the ball back in advanced areas. When they drop deeper, they keep the same marking principles, add a spare defender and close the central lanes.
Pascal Gross remains at the centre of it all. The German midfielder leads the league with eight big chances created and, against Brentford, scored and made at least five chances for team-mates.
A busy run is next
Brighton now face a congested period with the Premier League and Conference League already on the calendar, before the FA Cup joins in January. Their 2023-24 slide, when Europa League focus coincided with a drop from sixth to 11th, is a warning.
Gross, 35, has started all 17 matches this season and played 1,436 minutes, while the possible returns of Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma would give Hürzeler more options. After the international break, Brighton go away to Hull City, with tougher fixtures to follow.