Brighton & Hove Albion

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It was a triple celebration for Brighton on Friday as the club completed a clean sweep of the Premier League awards for September.

Fabian Hurzeler picked up the manager of the month award, Lewis Dunk's stunning long-range strike at Coventry has been named goal of the month, while the impressive Pascal Gross secured player of the month.

The 35-year-old - in his second spell at the Seagulls - has been instrumental in the club's rise to third in the Premier League after five games.

Across the month, Gross scored twice and provided three assists in just three games, including finding the net and setting up a goal in the dominant 3-0 win over champions Arsenal.

Away from the league, he also scored in the 3-2 comeback Carabao Cup win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Gross becomes the first Brighton player to win the Premier League player of the month award.

In the final part of Thursday's special Brighton Q&A, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor looks at Carlos Baleba's exit possibly helping team spirit and whether the Seagulls can qualify for the Champions League.

Colin asked: Has the departure of Baleba helped team spirit and what can the club do to start retaining our stars so that we can take the next step to trophy success?

Johnny: The midfield has coped really well without Baleba. He did always strike me as a player who needed to mature and he also seemed to hang around with only a few team-mates.

However, everyone is different and everyone has a different character. If he progresses at Manchester United it may be seen as a loss, but in terms of team spirit, I don't think he had a detrimental effect.

Put simply, money wins and who would begrudge someone the chance to earn more? But what Brighton can do is compete.

Players like Jan Paul van Hecke may understandably be tempted by higher earnings or a 'bigger' project, but if Brighton can offer a team that competes for trophies, if not leagues, then that will help.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side - as countless departing Seagulls players have found in the past.

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Paul asked: Do Brighton have the squad to challenge for a Champions League position?

Johnny: In a word, yes. The squad is very good and very deep. However, when competing on four fronts there will inevitably be a toll.

The data suggests that mid-range Premier League teams finish on average four to six places lower than the previous season when competing in Europe.

Apply that and, despite a better squad, a Champions League spot could well be a step too far this season. The impression I get is the push for a trophy in a domestic or European competition is one of the major aims this season.

A high Premier League finish is desirable, but so much would have to fall into place.

Never say never in football, but winning Premier League games has never been tougher, as the promoted sides have shown already with both their victories and their defeats so far this season.

In the second of Thursday's three-part Brighton Q&A, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor looks at Pascal Gross' future and whether Fabian Hurzeler can avoid selling key players.

Conrad asked: How long can Gross keep it up for? I know his game doesn't rely on out-and-out pace, but he is 35 now - could he do a James Milner and play on until 40? We don't really have anyone else who can do what he does.

Johnny: What a signing he has been - and that's twice! We all know what strengths he has. If he had out-and-out pace, he would have been huge on the European and international stage.

Intelligent players can always extend their career as they can make adjustments to their game. It is tough in midfield, so maybe another couple of years. His game time may drop, as happened with Milner.

Having spoken to him so many times, I know he wants to play as long as possible at the top level, but he will surely become an excellent coach if he wants to go in that direction. An Albion manager of the future? Perhaps.

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Toby asked: Can we keep the squad together long enough to challenge for a trophy, and what does this mean for the club salary cap beyond this season?

Johnny: This squad is capable of winning a trophy already. The Seagulls have come close in domestic competitions, and they have certainly not been helped by really tricky draws in recent years.

Players will come and go, but as the chairman said to me this week, this is the squad with the most depth. The question is: which competition provides the best opportunity? For me, it's the Conference League.

In terms of the salary cap, I don't think there is such thing at the Albion. In the Premier League, prices paid for players increase and wages increase. That's a fact.

Brighton, like everyone, will increase at the top level but will never go beyond the value each player has. As we have seen this summer, sometimes refreshing a squad is as important as a consistent foundation.

Come back to this page later on Thursday for the final part of the Q&A, which will focus on Carlos Baleba's departure and whether the Seagulls can qualify for the Champions League.

In the first of a special three-part Brighton Q&A, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor looks at Charalampos Kostoulas' future at the club and how Fabian Hurzeler will manage his squad when injured players return.

Richard asked: We have seen many young players burst on to the scene, such as Aaron Connelly and Evan Ferguson (although injury has clearly hampered him), while even Steven Alzate had a terrific start. Do you think Kostoulas will go on to fulfil his potential at Albion?

Johnny: This kid is different. Of course, he was an expensive signing from an established top-flight club in Greece, but he is undoubtedly a serious talent. You can see that his movement and touch are very good and, although he is not the biggest player, he is strong. The main reason I think he will be a success is his eye for goal, his consistent strike on the ball and a desire to score. His first thought is to go forward. The biggest question may be whether his long-term success is at Brighton or potentially elsewhere if his talent is sought after by clubs with deeper pockets.

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Deri asked: Hurzeler has seemed to stumble upon a good team as a result of injuries to several key players. What should he do when the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh and Jack Hinshelwood are available?

Johnny: I wouldn't say he's stumbled on a good team, to be fair to him. Injuries forced him into looking for different solutions and it has worked. Hurzeler has changed the structure of the team and, despite a lack of fit high-level wingers, he trusted Maxim de Cuyper and Diego Gomez, who have delivered. A 100% fit Mitoma probably starts every time and Hinshelwood has found his home as a 10. It remains to be seen if Minteh stays at Brighton but Hurzeler has shown there are always alternatives. There are so many games to come across four competitions, so ultimately, if they are fit again, they will get a chance - but they must work hard to stay in the team. Rotation is inevitable.

Come back to this page later on Thursday for the second part of the Q&A, which will focus on Pascal Gross' future and whether Hurzeler can avoid selling key players in the future.

Football finance expert Kieran Magiure, has been answering your questions after Manchester City were found guilty of all charges related to breaches of financial rules.

Gary: Is there any chance this could be resolved by the end of the season?

Kieran: There is a very high chance it will be resolved by the end of the season. Because if it is not, we could end up in another situation very similar to that of Burnley and Everton where a club could be relegated and Manchester City are not given a deduction. And next season, a club that finished in 18th could say had that deduction been applied earlier, we wouldn't have been relegated. So that would add to the complications.

Certainly looking at the Premier League's press release itself, it does seem that it is very keen to resolve it as quickly as possible. If you take a look at the length of time that it took the commissions in respect to Nottingham Forest and Everton, once they have heard the evidence, applying the sanctions is the quickest part. It's listening to evidence that is the torturous process.

• Listen to a special Q&A podcast by hitting play above or on BBC Sounds

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Dappy: Based on everything you read, what is the most likely punishment going to be for Manchester City?

Kieran: I agree that it could be a very hefty points deduction and a transfer embargo at the very least. On top of that, I believe there will be a very significant financial penalty added into the equation. The logic behind having a transfer embargo is that it then becomes a multi-season issue.

If we go back to 2013 when City were in breach of Uefa rules, they had a transfer ban, wage and squad caps, it did impact the club in the subsequent season.

Rehan: If Manchester City get a huge fine, what would the FA do with that money? Where would it go?

Kieran: It would be shared by the Premier League clubs, including Manchester City. And it will be offset against the league's legal bill. Discussions with lawyers suggest they think City could be liable for about two-thirds to three-quarters of Premier League's legal costs, which is estimated to be in the region of £50-60m.

Get more reaction here

James Dunn
BBC South East sports reporter

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Brighton owner Tony Bloom says he is looking forward to seeing what the Seagulls can achieve after results he described as the "best in the history of the football club".

In a rare interview, Bloom told BBC South East victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, a 3-0 win over Premier League champions Arsenal and beating Coventry City 5-0 had boosted confidence at the club.

Bloom helped transform Brighton's fortunes after he became majority shareholder in 2009, when the team were struggling in the third tier of English football and playing at a temporary ground.

"I'm looking forward to what this team can achieve this season," Bloom said.

The Seagulls are currently third in the Premier League and tipped to win the Conference League.

Bloom, whose grandfather, Harry, was vice-chairman at the club in the 1970s, has been a fan since childhood. He would watch them play at the Goldstone Ground, which Brighton were forced to leave due to debt in 1997.

They were promoted to the Premier League eight years after he took control and celebrated its 125 -year anniversary at the victory over Arsenal on 19 September.

"It's vital that we always look forward, there's no point in looking back," Bloom said.

"We're always looking to improve in everything we do in terms of performances, in terms of results, processes, innovative way of doing things - because our competition is doing the same, so if you stand still you go backwards.

"We enjoy the moments and then move on because we have to keep improving.

"Obviously, winning leagues, winning trophies is really difficult, but I do think we've got a real chance.

"The Conference League is a very winnable tournament compared to others we've played in."

Listen to Bloom in conversation below or read more here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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The Premier League has opened a Pandora's box of problems which cannot be closed. However well-intentioned, however morally upright they mean to be, the way the product is perceived around the planet by fans will be negatively affected.

This looks like a gigantic mess, but could also become a bit of a joke, especially if they attempt to rewrite history, and change the winners' names on the Premier League and cup trophies over these past 15 years. I wouldn't want the engraver's job.

I believe financial rules brought in to prioritise financial sustainability were also aimed at limiting the money being spent by the clubs, especially the staggering, ever-inflating sums spent on sometimes fairly average players. It could lead to a de facto salary cap, which many fans would approve of.

The long-term problem for the league is easy to see here: if the top players are then offered significantly more money to play elsewhere, they will be off before you can say 'man on'.

I always thought the Premier League had taken a huge risk going down this regulatory road. As with Manchester City's future, nobody knows what the real long-term ramifications will be.

I have a suspicion it could end up being the greatest own goal in the sport's entire history.

The big take: If City are cast out of England's top leagues, what might the owners do – hang around the lower reaches, or find something else? Wasn't there the idea of a Super League? Keep that thought in the back of your mind.

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

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Most of the time it is not that big a deal if you go into the international break having just lost a club game if I am honest, as teams lose games frequently.

That is just the life of a professional footballer. You have to be able to cope with disappointment as an individual and as a team.

‌Admittedly, players will sometimes say that they want another domestic game quickly, but it is almost always specifically after a 'bad' defeat as opposed to just a run-of-the-mill loss.

‌However, if the team has genuinely played terribly, or lost a game they were expected to win comfortably, you will commonly hear the phrase "we want to have a chance to get back out there and put it right quickly".

‌Players who have had a stinker, even if their team won, might also want to get out again as soon as possible to put it right in front of their fans, or 'reset'. The 'reset' argument is just current football jargon to say, "we will try to get it right next time, and we blew it this week, sorry".

‌The international break can also have the beneficial effect of taking your mind away from a bad defeat. This is not to say that you don't care, it is just that you must compartmentalise your thoughts and feelings. Footballers are among the best at this.

‌You simply cannot go to play for your national team and spend the time brooding about what happened against Brentford last week. That way lies madness and another poor performance, only this time in front of the entire nation.

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

Brighton owner Tony Bloom offers a rare interview as he sits down with BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor in the latest edition of Albion Unlimited.

Bloom discusses the Seagulls' impressive start to the 2026-27 season, ambitions for the campaign ahead and a lot more.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

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

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Unbelievably, sensible and well-informed people are seriously discussing Manchester City getting a huge points deduction or being demoted or kicked out of the English leagues completely.

‌There is also reasonable talk about them being sued by just about every other major club in the domestic game, and a few beyond that. That is before you get to the concept of titles being stripped and trophies retrospectively re-awarded to others.

There is still an appeal to be heard, but they have been found guilty already. Serious consequences must be considered. Following the draconian punishments handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest, among others, City might find they don't just have the book thrown at them, it is the entire British Library lobbed in their general direction.

Those other clubs cooperated in the process. City have faced more charges and they involve larger sums and over a longer time period. In short, things are not looking good for the club that dominated English football for almost a decade.

This may be the biggest story in the Premier League's history and it is going to run and run.

Other serious considerations will follow hard on the heels of the Blues' dilemmas – specifically what long-term effects will this have on the Premier League? They will not all be good ones.

Some reasonably argue that the financial rules City have been found to have broken shouldn't have been put there in the first place. They were brought in to safeguard the financial security of the clubs and the league, but try telling that to many City, Everton and Nottingham Forest fans just now.

Newcastle and Aston Villa have plenty of financial backing, but these rules have hurt their ability to grow and stay competitive with the legacy clubs. This all feels unfair if you are a supporter of those two.

The money that will now be frittered away by the English game on lawyers and legal fees is eye-watering, and it will grow exponentially as the litigation increases.

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

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Is it a bit far-fetched or even just wishful thinking? Can a less glamorous, or should that just be less wealthy, club get in on the Champions League action for once? Brighton owner Tony Bloom, with his business acumen and his renowned methodology, has got some previous here.

Last season, he invested some money – and even more know-how – into Hearts and they came within three minutes of winning the Scottish Premiership title.

This might not seem such a big deal, but Celtic and Rangers not only have massively bigger budgets than Hearts, between them they have won every league title since 1985, when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager of champions Aberdeen.

Bloom has shown that he can produce what is considered the impossible. His is a slow, sure, methodical build, not just a flash in the pan after splashing the cash.

Brighton are head and shoulders above everyone else for buying young talent and selling them at a huge profit, while seemingly not appearing to miss them when they have gone.

On the current trajectory, do not count Brighton out of a top-six finish. They are now as good on the pitch as they are off it.

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

Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry has been speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after earning his first call-up to the England under-21 squad.

The 21-year-old is on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, where he has scored one goal and registered two assists for Kim Hellberg's side.

The Young Lions begin their qualifying campaign for the next European Championship against Kazakhstan at Molineux on Friday.

Brighton, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are monitoring Lyon's 23-year-old midfielder Tyler Morton. (Teamtalk), external

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

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We want you to send in your questions on the Albion for BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor.

What do you want to know about Brighton right now?

Whether it be about aims for the season, player performances, Fabian Hurzeler's tactics, or any topic of your choosing, Johnny will be on hand to answer a selection next week.

Get in touch with your question here

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We asked you to rate Brighton's start to the Premier League season and tell us what Fabian Hurzeler should be focusing on during the extended international break.

Here are some of your comments:

Kelly: I was a bit worried when Welbeck and Van Hecke both left in the summer but the new players seem to be gelling wonderfully and Gross is running the show. Long may it continue!

Michael: Obviously Hurzeler has continued to do a good job following other well-performing managers. But whoever is in the background at Brighton has kept the team performing to the standards they're achieving consistently. Whoever that is has done incredibly well.

Simon: Any points we accumulate before our fixture congestion kicks in are valuable. Given the intensity we play with, our form will almost certainly drop off, so we'll just enjoy the plaudits while our players aren't too tired to appreciate them!

Nicholas: Great start! Clever buys in the transfer window. Hopefully Minteh and Mitoma come back after the break. Big test of European football and how well the Seagulls can rotate players for the Premier League. By January, if we are still top six, then there could be a good chance for Champions League qualification.

Pam: We're getting stronger with each game, with excellent teamwork, despite having some injured players. The next few matches are going to be a real test, and then we'll know more.

Barry: A very good start overall. Third in the league is a fantastic position to be in. Chelsea was disappointing, but even there we finished strongly and showed character. Hurzeler should use the extended break to tighten things up defensively and work on maintaining our intensity for the full 90 minutes. There's plenty to be excited about. Keep building on this start and Champions League qualification is a real possibility.

Robin: A great start to season - yes giving Chelsea a three-goal start was ambitious, but we nearly pulled it back - as seen when gave Manchester United a two-goal lead and did win it. The incredible difference so far is all the goals are being scored by so many players and we're not relying on one or two. Hopefully, after the disruption of the international break, this can be continued and then what a season it potentially is ahead.

Luka Vuskovic has been a "masterstroke" addition for Brighton, says former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.

Brighton's record signing Vuskovic joined in the summer from Tottenham and has featured in all five of the Albion's Premier League matches so far.

"What an incredible signing; £50m from Spurs - Spurs fans must be thinking 'why have we sold this guy?'", Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"When you play like Brighton and you're so aggressive with your press, your best players have to be your centre-backs and for a 19-year-old, he's mobile, he can play, he's big and robust - that's another Brighton masterstroke."

On Brighton's strong start to the season, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, added: "Every time I look at Brighton's team, I don't think to myself that it's a really, really good team but for a few years now under Fabian Hurzeler, they've just been excellent."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

As we enter the first international break, we want to hear your thoughts on the opening five games of the Premier League season.

Brighton have experienced a strong start to this top-flight campaign, winning three out of their first five matches, leaving them sitting third in the table.

Although the Seagulls conceded four goals against Chelsea in their second league game, Fabian Hurzeler's side have only conceded three goals in their following four matches in all competitions.

How do you rate Brighton's start to the season and why? And what should Hurzeler be focusing on during the extended break?

Get in touch with your views here

Brighton are flying high under the youngest manager in the top flight after five games of the Premier League season.

Fabian Hurzeler guided his side to a 3-0 victory against Arsenal on the 125-year anniversary of the club in style - and the Seagulls sit in a very pleasing third place in the table.

Former Brighton midfielder Warren Aspinall told Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast that the Gunners were "out-thought and out-battled".

"We suffocated them. From minute one we were at it. Yasin Ayari was further up the pitch, and he set the press with Charalampos Kostoulas, who was excellent again."

Greece striker Kostoulas has been involved in six goal involvements in Brighton's eight opening fixtures of the season and has proved a key figure in Hurzeler's side.

"Kostoulas has had to work for every goal that he has got. He is contributing as well with assists. What I like about him is he gets half a yard, and he gets a shot away. I have liked him from the off. You can tell there is a player in there," added Aspinall.

As well as Kostoulas being a shining light, Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic has grown into his starting position.

Former Seagulls defender Guy Butters said the 19-year-old has been an "impressive" addition to the squad and that he "reads the game really well".

"I think with modern day football, everything is in front of you and that suits him. He reads the passes into the forwards.

"He is strong and good in the air. Going the other way, he is a threat as well. I was very impressed with him," added Butters.

Listen by hitting play above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

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

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club discussed whether Brentford and Brighton could qualify for the Champions League this season or in the near future.

Despite not being classed among England's 'big six', the two clubs have made consistently good decisions around managers and players - and have regularly finish in the top 10 of the Premier League as a result.

"They aren't massive football clubs," said BBC pundit Chris Sutton. "But they are clubs that have grown well and grown strong.

"If you look at the mess other clubs who are considered as big clubs are making at this moment in time, then you'd have to say 'why not?' if the model is working for both of them."

The Observer's Rory Smith added: "With Brighton there is the question mark of Europe this season and how that affects their form, because in an accumulative way it might stop their progress.

"Both teams are more than capable against the traditional elite, but there's a different pressure to win the number of games you need to in order get into the Champions League."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds