'Since day one, I saw how much quality there was here'published at 07:39 BST
07:39 BST
Brighton midfielder Chema Andres says the quality already at the club will help bring the best out of him.
He told BBC Radio Sussex: "Playing Europa League last year with Stuttgart is going to help me throughout this year because I have the experience of playing Thursday and Sunday. That is something not usual in football but you need to get used to it - your body, your legs and your head.
"We have a really good team and a really good structure - and I think we need a really good team and a big one to be able to perform in all of the competitions we are going to play in.
"Since day one, I saw how much quality there was here so that pushes me also to work harder and to try to be at their level."
On the comparisons made with Rodri, the 21-year-old added: "I want to be myself, to build my own path. I want to perform. It's of course an honour that they compare me to him. I wish I was at his level at some point but I want to be myself, try to develop and try to make my name big."
Hurzeler on Rutter's fitness, Azeez availability and Ayari's formpublished at 19:19 BST 10 September
19:19 BST 10 September
Media caption,
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena (14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler gave a fitness update on Georginio Rutter, who has missed the last two games with a foot problem: "He should be close. He had a small setback but he is on the pitch now and he is hopefully available for the weekend if nothing goes wrong."
And on new signing Femi Azeez, who arrived at the club with a minor hamstring problem and is yet to make his debut: "Also regarding him, I hope he will be an option. He will definitely change the squad. Hopefully everything is fine and hopefully he will be an option for the weekend."
Hurzeler added that he expects Karou Mitoma to return from his long-term problem "more after the international break".
Young forward Zadok Yohanna has a small issue and won't be involved until after the international break.
On his comments after Saturday's draw against Leeds saying his side lacked intensity in the first half: "There are several reasons. We discuss it internally and reflect honestly with the players. It's not about blaming each other, it's about finding solutions. There are several ways we analyse it and hopefully we can change it for the next game."
He was asked about reports midfielder Yasin Ayari is close to signing a new contract: "You always want to solve these issues internally before talking to the public. Yasin is a great player who has had great development for us over the last two years. He has grown as a player, a personality, he takes more risks. I'm very happy to work with these kind of players and hopefully he stays for a long time."
On the challenge posed by Coventry: "A tough opponent. They played really well against Manchester City and created a lot of chances. They look compact and didn't give away many chances. They are having a good process. We have to focus on us to play for 90 minutes with a lot of energy and intensity."
Hurzeler praised Maxime De Cuyper's fine start to the season: "Now he pays more regular, in a different position. He came as a full-back and I think will also be a really good full-back but now he plays more as a winger. Also as a winger he can help us with his creativity, with his left foot, with his good understanding of the game, with his good understanding also in pressing."
On Sky Blues goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who spent seven years as a Brighton player but was loaned out six times and did not make a senior appearance: "When Carl was here I knew he gave everything for the club. As a player of course you want to play and make the next step but he acted really well when he was here and I wish him all the best with Coventry."
Premier League releases festive football schedulepublished at 16:14 BST 10 September
16:14 BST 10 September
Image source, Getty Images
The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.
Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.
The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.
Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.
A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.
The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.
The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.
Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.
The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.
Gossip: Mixed contract news for Seagullspublished at 07:00 BST 10 September
07:00 BST 10 September
Brighton are confident a new contract for midfielder Yasin Ayari can be agreed soon with positive talks ongoing. (Teamtalk), external
However, Kaoru Mitoma's future at the club is in the balance as the winger is unlikely to extend his deal, which expires next summer, and could make an exit as soon as the January window. (Teamtalk), external
Seagulls must learn from slow startpublished at 07:55 BST 9 September
07:55 BST 9 September
Image source, PA Media
It's been a busy start to the 2026-27 campaign for Brighton and Fabian Hurzeler must now begin to prepare for a packed schedule of domestic and European football.
Although the Seagulls will wait until October for their Conference League league phase to start, Hurzeler's side has endured a flurry of mixed results in their opening five games of the season.
After a bruising 4-3 loss at Stamford Bridge to transfer-foes Chelsea, Brighton were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds.
Former Seagulls midfielder Warren Aspinall told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast Leeds "should have scored more" when they were dominating the early stages of the game.
"We always say when teams are on top, punish the opposition. We got going in the last half an hour, and we were the better team," said Aspinall.
Brighton had a stronghold of 67.1% possession throughout the game, and attempted a total of 522 passes compared to Leeds' 252.
Aspinall added: "I don't think it is possession, it is the energy, then move the ball with a purpose instead of going sideways and back. You're never going to hurt anybody doing that."
A Luka Vuskovic goal salvaged a point for Brighton and the equaliser will be deemed extremely valuable as Hurzeler's side have the most injuries of any Premier League team at this stage of the season.
As it stands, Brighton have 10 players ruled out by injury, with the likes of Georginio Rutter, Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma all unavailable.
Listen to Albion Unlimited below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
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
🎧Leeds, Monaco & Coventrypublished at 16:46 BST 8 September
16:46 BST 8 September
The team on Albion Unlimited analyse the draw against Leeds, while French football expert Luke Entwhistle gives a profile of what's to come against Monaco.
There's also plenty of talk about facing Coventry in a key fixture this weekend.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
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
Vuskovic 'a massive talent' - Verbruggenpublished at 07:15 BST 8 September
07:15 BST 8 September
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen says Luka Vuskovic "is a massive talent" for his age and will "hopefully continue to improve" while at the club.
Croatia defender Vuskovic signed from Tottenham in the summer for a club record £46m.
He headed in his first goal in English football on Saturday as the Seagulls drew 1-1 with Leeds United at Amex Stadium.
"He is a big guy so he is a threat in the air and he can head the ball well," Verbruggen told BBC Radio Sussex. "Everyone can see his ability and he's a massive talent.
"To come here as a 19-year-old with the expectation because of his price tag, the way he behaves in the building and on the training pitch is outstanding.
"He's impressive so hopefully he can continue to improve for us and deliver these performances. He's very solid and mature.
"I'm happy that he's here and now it's about trying to get to the next level."
Bob: It was a very slow start. Giving away possession and conceding an early goal showed the need to tighten up and keep the ball. The second half showed our potential. We missed a few chances but we are a young team and will learn from our mistakes.
Steve: Hard to explain such a transformation in attitude and performance, from a most inept first half to a totally dominant second. If we find a way to play for 90 minutes, we could be top six.
Jon: Terrible first half, better second half. It was again a case of Hurzeler putting square pegs in round holes, why the heck does he do this? Costinha looked sharp when he came on at right back. We had proper wingers available but the manager persists in finding somewhere for his favourites to play. He needs to learn, this is not all about him, and play players in the correct positions.
Jack: Very sloppy start from us by conceding the early goal. The second half was much better as we got a goal to make a draw. I hope we learn from this match that our signings need to step up fast before we play against Coventry because all our key players are injured.
Leeds United fans
Risey: Tanaka was outstanding today. Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line very well against two strong central defenders. Overall a great team performance. It's a shame to not be travelling back with three points but heads should be held high as it is never an easy place to go for any team.
Billy: Maybe we should have put the game to bed in the opening half but to focus on the positives, if we were offered a point prior to the game, most would have taken it. Nice to see Jayden Boyle up his game after a disappointing performance against Brentford. Two home games against Newcastle and Crystal Palace before the international break. We should be targeting at least four, if not all six points.
David: Before the match I would have accepted a point but we should have won after the first-half display - so many missed chances. The Seagulls are a good team but obviously missing key players.
Chris: A great display but the number of good chances to score, missed by numerous players, highlights the fact that we all know. Leeds need a striker with a killer instinct, or maybe they should spend a couple of hours after training practicing scoring goals!
'We never give up' - Vuskovic says Brighton will 'fix it' and start quickerpublished at 08:39 BST 7 September
08:39 BST 7 September
Image source, Getty Images
Luka Vuskovic says Brighton must "work better" to ensure they do not need to fight back in games to earn points.
The club record summer signing from Tottenham headed home his first goal for the Seagulls to equalise late on in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Leeds United.
"It was not so satisfying because we didn't win the game but at least I can be a little bit happy as I helped the team to get one point," Vuskovic told BBC Radio Sussex.
"We need to work better because we didn't start like we know how to. The second half was a lot better.
"We have to find solutions, as the gaffer has said in the dressing room. We will find them, we will fix it, and next game we will be better.
"We never give up but that is the second part and we need to start from the first part and be at it and rely on ourselves from the first second."
Analysis: A game of two halvespublished at 20:44 BST 5 September
20:44 BST 5 September
Keifer MacDonald BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
How Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler views his side's performance will largely depend on which half he is analysing.
After thrashing Aston Villa 4-0 at the Amex on the opening weekend of the season, the Seagulls were expected to make a lightning-quick start on home soil once again.
But that was not the case. In fact, it was a similarly sluggish start to the one Brighton made at Chelsea six days ago, as they found themselves a goal down within the first 15 minutes of the match.
The fact that Hurzeler's side have not won a Premier League fixture when falling behind for almost 10 months highlighted the size of the task facing his side, who were sloppy both in and out of possession.
But once the home side struck an equaliser, there only seemed likely to be one winner.
And by the time Pascal Gross fired over from only a couple of yards out in the final seconds of normal time, there was a feeling of frustration at the Amex that Brighton had missed the opportunity to end their unwanted Premier League streak.
Brighton 1-1 Leeds United: What Hurzeler saidpublished at 17:40 BST 5 September
17:40 BST 5 September
Media caption,
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Today we had a lack of energy, lack of intensity, but showed another face in the second half and could have won the game. It has cost us energy to chase the game. We need to be at the highest level from the start and need to find solutions for that.
"Every second phase, every second ball landed for a Leeds player. That's what we changed in the second half and we were a better team. We don't need long to change a game. We had plenty of chances, but it's all about fighting for the clean sheet and being better.
"Our start to the season can be better, can be worse. There were positives today but also things to improve."
On Luka Vuskovic's performance: "I think he needs this time to adapt but he has the physicality to do this. He is young and needs time to improve and then he can be a top player."
Brighton defender Luka Vuskovic, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I am happy to help the team a little bit but we are not happy because we woke up too late.
"We started slow, we lost a lot of balls. We need to start from the first second. It's not a worry - it's the beginning of the season. We are a young team and need to find solutions. It will be a lot better.
"We need to wake up from the first second. Play from minute one through to the end. We never give up and that's one of our strengths, but we need to rely on our strengths from the first second."
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 Tottenham" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Aston Villa 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.
Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Leedspublished at 11:00 BST 5 September
11:00 BST 5 September
I am not really sure what to make of Brighton yet. They smashed Aston Villa on the opening weekend but then lost to Chelsea despite dominating possession in what was a really strange game.
Leeds can be quite cagey on the road under Daniel Farke, but they are very good at what they do, and they will be a threat on the break.
I am still going with Brighton to win because they are playing with freedom at the moment, but I don't see them keeping a clean sheet and this is going to be close.
Brighton v Leeds: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:04 BST 4 September
19:04 BST 4 September
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
After a rollercoaster start to their Premier League campaign, Brighton & Hove Albion welcome an improving Leeds United team to the Amex Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).
The Seagulls were 4-0 winners over Aston Villa in their opener, then lost 4-3 at Chelsea last time out. Head coach Fabian Hurzeler will have taken some positives from the clash at Stamford Bridge though, namely the manner in which his team bossed long periods of the contest.
As for Leeds, they followed up a win over Nottingham Forest in their first game with a creditable draw at home to Brentford. A strong start to the season and some shrewd summer business means spirits are high at Elland Road.
Brighton seeking balance
Brighton games so far have certainly been eventful. The 4-3 loss at Stamford Bridge means they are just the second side since 1950 to score four or more goals in their first game of an English top-flight season and then concede four or more in their second, after Blackpool in 2010-11.
Hurzeler would have been unhappy with the defensive lapses in the early stages of the game – they were 2-0 down after 14 minutes and 3-0 down after 32 minutes – but his team did show quality and spirit to battle back.
Indeed, Brighton's possession of 74.4% was the highest on record (from 2003-04) by any side in a Premier League game against Chelsea. The Blues actually only completed 155 passes in the match, their lowest total in a Premier League game since 2003-04.
Brighton have averaged 73.1% and 74.1% possession in their first two games so far this season, against Villa and Chelsea respectively. Since Opta records began in 2003-04, no side has averaged above 70% possession in their first three Premier League games.
Against Leeds, Hurzeler will want to see the same sort of control without the chaos at the back. For all their possession, they have made more errors leading to a shot than any other team in the division so far.
Image source, BBC Sport
Leeds looking for elusive win
While Leeds may be happy to relinquish possession on the road, they showed against Brentford last time out that getting on the front foot can help negate a dangerous opponent.
Farke switched from a 5-3-2 to a 4-3-3 at the interval with his team trailing, and Leeds were much improved in the second half.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was on target with the equaliser, his 15th Premier League goal for the club. There is a sense that the Whites will be hugely reliant on the England forward to be a point of difference again this season.
After two games of the new season, Calvert-Lewin has applied 104 high-intensity pressures in the opposition half, with only Hull's Oliver McBurnie, with 105, doing so more often. Only Igor Jesus of Nottingham Forest, with 16, has won more aerial duels than the Leeds striker's 11.
With two away wins already recorded this season – at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and in the League Cup – Leeds will hope to end their miserable record at the Amex Stadium. They have played more matches without winning at the Amex than at any other stadium in their entire history, drawing three and losing seven of their 10 games there.
Hurzeler on 'Baby Rodri', Minteh and transfer dreamspublished at 11:25 BST 4 September
11:25 BST 4 September
Craig Nelson BBC Sport Journalist
Media caption,
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Amex Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Deadline-day signings Chema Andres, a £15.5m arrival from Stuttgart, and Femi Azeez, who joined from Millwall in a deal worth up to £15m, are both "great characters".
Andres, 21, "can definitely be an option" against Leeds on Saturday, but Azeez, 25, who is recovering from an injury, "hopefully will be available for the next game".
On comparisons between Spain Under-21 international midfielder Andres, who has been dubbed the 'Baby Rodri', and the World Cup Golden Ball winner: "He has a long way to go and hopefully he can get there one day."
On what it would mean to Brighton if Andres lives up to his nickname: "It would be a big one for us but also the whole football world."
On whether Yankuba Minteh is committed to the club after Brighton turned down offers for him from Liverpool: "Yes, definitely. He wears the Brighton colours, he wears the Brighton badge."
On his challenge to Minteh: "If the whole team is successful and the individual shines then Yankuba will get a lot of attention again and he can then maybe fulfil his dream in the next transfer window."
Mats Wieffer is not expected to return from a knee injury until "after the international break", but Yasin Ayari and Georginio Rutter "might be options" to face Leeds.
Hit play above to hear Hurzeler talking to BBC Radio Sussex about his Conference League squad selection, or listen on BBC Sounds here
A record-breaking transfer windowpublished at 07:01 BST 3 September
07:01 BST 3 September
Steve Sutcliffe, Emlyn Begley and Gary Rose BBC Sport journalists
Media caption,
Premier League clubs have broke their all-time summer transfer record with spending reaching £3.49bn.
A total of £506.5m was spent on deadline day itself, up from £391m last year.
The total amount spent during the window considerably dwarfs the £1.13bn spent by clubs just five years ago and underlines the power top English clubs have to attract talent, according to figures provided to BBC Sport by Paul Macdonald, founder of FootballTransfers.com.
Three of the 10 most expensive signings in the history of football have happened this summer – with all of them being Premier League signings. In fact, this summer window featured four of the top flight's five most expensive ever deals.
So maybe it is not surprising then that of the 20 most expensive transfers completed, only six were not to clubs in the English top flight.
Indeed, newly-promoted Ipswich have spent more on new signings than the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and reigning European champions PSG.
Premier League clubs as a whole were willing to dip deep into their pockets this summer, as 11 of the 20 clubs broke their transfer records, six of them on more than one occasion.
Coventry, promoted to the Premier League alongside Ipswich and Hull, have done so four times over.
