Sussex

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Not even a controversial red card for defender Pascal Struijk, subsequently rescinded, could derail them at Sunderland last weekend.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

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after Brighton's victory against Kauno Zalgiris: "It was a good result and a good game. It is always difficult to break a low block but we were patient in the right moments and we scored very good goals.

"It's important for players who are not playing regularly to step up and use their opportunity. We know we can rely on everyone so it was quite a positive evening.

"Overall it was a good team performance. Everyone stepped up and that is important for us. We have that kind of togetherness and It was important to see today."

Listen to more from Hurzeler below or on BBC Sounds here

What did you learn from Brighton's display? Send us your comments here

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Hinshelwood spoke to TNT Sports after Brighton's victory against Kauno Zalgiris: "It's nice to just be back with the boys. They have been on such a good run, and I have really missed it out there, so to be back out there tonight, fighting for this badge which I love doing is the main thing tonight."

On the performance: "Fair play to Kauno Zalgiris, they came and made it difficult for us. We had to stay patient and I think we did that well. Georginio [Rutter] with a great goal and then to set me up as well he done really well. I think it was a really professional performance, we had to work for it, but it was a job well done today."

On what this team can go on to achieve this season: "I think the manager spoke about it, we just want to keep on improving. What's happened in the past is gone now and we have to look to the future, to keep getting better and developing. It's starts again Sunday with another massive game.

Hit play below to hear more from Hinshelwood or listen on BBC Sounds here

Striker Georginio Rutter also spoke to TNT Sports: "I'm very happy to have two goals today, but more importantly is the three points. We are very happy to start the competition like this, we have a good side, we are in good shape at the moment, so we have to keep going."

On being one of the highest scoring teams in the Premier League: "It's not every time, one player. We are a good team, everybody scores and everybody assists so I think the atmosphere of the team at the moment is very good, so we are confident and in good shape."

On the difficulty of defensively minded teams: "I think we have to be mature. Today was about discipline, and I think we played very good, every focused. I don't think we made any mistakes, so that is the most important thing. We took our time, scored four goals and kept a clean sheet. So we can't do anything better."

Listen to more match reaction from Georginio Rutter below or on BBC Sounds here

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, it was the perfect evening.

The Lithuanian visitors showed their intent early on by defending deep, camped on the edge of their penalty area in a low block, looking to frustrate the hosts.

Lewis Dunk had scored a stunning 35-yard strike in the 5-0 league win against Coventry, later named as the Premier League goal of the month for September, and the Brighton skipper was unlucky to see a long-range attempt just go over.

But the breakthrough always looked like it would come soon. Hinshelwood had a header tipped over, before Rutter got his first goal of the season to end Zalgiris' resistance.

From then on it was easy for a Brighton side that ended up with nearly 80% of possession.

Jack Hinshelwood, Georginio Rutter again and Matt O'Riley added further goals, with the latter denied another by a fine save from away goalkeeper Tomas Svedkauskas.

For Brighton it continues a superb season in only their second ever continental campaign.

Domestically, they have already beaten Aston Villa 4-0 and embarrassed reigning champions Arsenal 3-0 in the Premier League, and came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford and knock Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.

Hurzeler's side have now scored 29 goals in 10 matches in all competitions and they will fancy their chances of a lengthy run in the Conference League.

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

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