Brighton & Hove Albion

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

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Joe: We're now boring as well as disjointed and dreadful. With Fabian Hurzeler at the helm the admiration and pundit plaudits we once had have turned to ire and disenchantment. He's taken us backwards, or at best stagnated, and truly lost the fans, and perhaps the dressing room too.

Graham: The second half was abysmal. The stats are an embarrassment. The team selection wasn't the best and the players should be playing at a higher level, or at least at the level that they once played. Something clearly is not right. This game should have been regarded as a must win but I saw no evidence that was the mindset.

Chris: No passion. No cohesion. No creativity. A dire performance. The fans are growing restless and this can only be addressed with improved results. This match showed the pressure is beginning to mount on Hurzeler.

Dan: A very, very poor performance in a game the players and manager should know the meaning of to the fans. We have a Brighton fan as an owner so this will have been made very clear. I'm not in the Hurzeler out group - yet. But I do think he won't be our manager come August. Where we go from here, I have no idea!

Palace fans

Al: 60 years ago I started watching Crystal Palace so what a birthday present this win was. Gritty, dour, stubborn and no nonsense. New signings fitted in nicely. Dean Henderson blowing kisses to the home fans at the end was priceless. Always fun beating the wannabes at the seaside. Next four games are key to build momentum for the rest of the season. Sorry, JP [Jean-Philippe Mateta], but you weren't missed.

Stephen: Palace looked again like the team at the beginning of the season. Evan Guessand and Jorgen Strand Larsen look good additions to the team. It's nice to get back on the winning trail and even better to beat Brighton at the Amex for the second year running! Great goal from Ismaila Sarr!

Les: An improvement. Beating Brighton is the be all and end all. Performance doesn't matter in this game. With two home games to come against Burnley and Wolves, this week we are safe. Get rid of Oliver Glasner and bring the new manager in to work with the players in the 10 games that are left.

Martin: Important players back from injury and Afcon. Decent debuts. No surprise the intensity returned. Jefferson Lerma immense AGAIN. Time to look upwards again.

Pundits Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace

• Liverpool 1-2 Man City

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Having made their feelings clear following last weekend's 1-1 draw at home against Everton, Brighton fans once more directed their ire towards manager Fabian Hurzeler at the end of Sunday's encounter.

The full-time whistle was met by a chorus of boos from the home supporters, with some chanting "You don't know what you're doing" in the direction of the 32-year-old as he made his way off the pitch.

Brighton were marginally the better side in the opening 30 minutes, but Maxim de Cuyper's low shot - easily held by Dean Henderson - was all they produced against a Palace side who were evidently lacking in confidence.

Henderson did well to save Charalampos Kostoulas' low drive after Ismaila Sarr's second-half opener, but there was little else in the way of a response as the home side faded badly.

The 2-0 victory over Burnley last month stands as Brighton's only victory in their latest 12 league matches – only Burnley and Wolves have picked up fewer points in that time.

There was to be no late cameo for Brighton substitute James Milner, who would have drawn level with Gareth Barry at the top of the Premier League's all-time appearance list if he had come off the bench.

However, there was a first senior start for teenage winger Harry Howell, who became the youngest player to begin a top-flight game for the Seagulls, aged 17 years and 294 days.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Sport: "Not an easy moment or situation but that is football and we will face. The game was not our best game so we have to be self-critical.

"Until the first goal, it was not our best game but it was how we reacted. We didn't stay in our structure and made easy mistakes. Goals always happen after mistakes. This game was decided by individual tackles, duels and personal mistakes.

"We are all disappointed and know we have problems at the moment but it is about finding solutions.

"It is football. I have to accept emotions are part of the game I am fully committed to this club and try my best along with the players."

Hear more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Dunk 'understands frustration' - listen to Albion captain on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Brighton's only win in their last 12 Premier League games (D6 L5) was a 2-0 victory over Burnley in January. Since the first game in this period (Dec 3rd v Aston Villa), the Seagulls are 18th in the Premier League form table with just nine points. They came into that fixture in fifth spot in the table.

• Harry Howell (17 years, 294 days) became the first player aged 17 years or younger to start a Premier League match for Brighton; before him, the Seagull's youngest starter in the competition was Evan Ferguson against Everton in January 2023 (18y 76d).

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?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Brighton starting XI: Verbruggen, De Cuyper, Boscagli, Dunk, Kadioglu, Gross, Baleba, Howell, Mitoma, Kostoulas, Rutter

Subs: Gomez, Hinshelwood, Milner, Minteh, O'Riley, Steele, Welbeck, Veltman, Julio

Crystal Palace starting XI: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Richards, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Munoz, Pino, Sarr, Strand Larsen

Subs: Benitez, Canvot, Clyne, Johnson, Kamada, Riad, Sosa, Uche, Guessand

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

• Brighton v Crystal Palace (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Man City (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times GMT

Follow Brighton v Crystal Palace here

And go here for Liverpool v Man City

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Crystal Palace" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Man City".

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.

His guest for week 25 is Gladiators star Apollo, real name Alex Gray, who supports Newcastle.

Sutton says: Palace have brought in Jorgen Strand Larsen and kept Jean-Philippe Mateta, so Eagles boss Oliver Glasner has got some options up front.

I normally predict a draw in this game, and it ended up 0-0 at Selhurst Park in November. This time, though, I fancy Brighton.

The Seagulls didn't quite get over the line against Everton, but them conceding late on actually won me some points. I am going for them to keep a clean sheet here though.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Apollo's prediction: 0-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

For both Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace, 2026 has been a year to forget so far. Each will be hoping a win over their bitter rivals can salvage something from their campaign when they meet at the Amex Stadium on Sunday (14:00 GMT) in the Premier League.

Brighton are on a run of just one win in 11 Premier League games. Their misery was extended last weekend when they were pegged back at home by Everton thanks to a 97th-minute equaliser from Beto.

The Seagulls may take some comfort from the fact that their rivals are in even worse form. Palace have not picked up a win in their last 12 matches in all competitions and have endured a January of off-the-pitch chaos.

Seagulls' wings clipped by late goals

Brighton and Palace are 11 and nine points clear of the relegation zone respectively. A win for either would allow them to start looking towards a potential top-half finish.

But at times this season, both sides have had much loftier ambitions. Six weeks into the campaign, Palace were third - they were still fourth 10 games ago - while Brighton also broke into the top five at the end of Matchweek 13.

Since then, both have slid down the table. Only Wolves and Burnley have taken fewer points than the two clubs since the start of December.

Brighton have been nowhere near their best lately, but they have been undone by stoppage-time goals in their last two outings, falling to defeat at Fulham and dropping two points at home to Everton.

One side-plot to watch this weekend will be James Milner's pursuit of the Premier League appearances record. If he features, the 40-year-old will draw level with current leader Gareth Barry on 653 games.

That milestone will matter little to Brighton supporters if they fail to vanquish their rivals on Sunday, though and Palace will rarely have arrived at this fixture in a worse state.

Palace look to push on after nightmare month

Not only has head coach Oliver Glasner confirmed he will be leaving at the end of the season, but Palace sold captain Marc Guehi and failed to cash in on wantaway forward Jean-Philippe Mateta on transfer deadline day.

On the positive side for supporters, Jorgen Strand Larsen did arrive and should provide fresh impetus at the point of attack. The targetman, who bagged an impressive 14 goals last season for Wolves, is looking for a spark having scored only once in the Premier League this campaign.

The match should also throw up an intriguing clash of styles. Brighton are one of the most aggressive pressing teams in the division - they lead the league for high turnovers - and look to dominate possession when they have it.

By contrast, Palace are statistically the most direct team in the Premier League with the ball. They advance the ball forward on average at 2.1 metres per second, with Brentford second most vertical at 1.95 metres.

The Eagles are also second-lowest for average passes per sequence (3.11) and for average sequence time (7.94 seconds).

Image source, Getty Images

James Milner has been described as the "consummate professional" on BBC Radio 5 Live's The Commentators' View podcast, as he closes in on Gareth Barry's record for most appearances in the Premier League.

If Milner features for Brighton against Crystal Palace on Sunday, he will reach 653, the same number Barry finished with when he retired in 2020.

Speaking on the podcast, BBC senior football reporter Ian Dennis said: "I did spend a lot of time with him when I covered the England under-21s. There was a tournament in Holland in 2007 and then I remember him in Sweden in 2009 and spoke a lot to him when he was an England international at various England camps. And the way he has conducted himself, he is the model pro, isn't he? He is the consummate professional."

BBC commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball added: "The other thing when we're talking about being the consummate professional, 40 years old, he gets on for a minute or two at the end of that game [last weekend] and annoyingly when he's on, Everton equalise.

"You've got to do all the running after the game because you've only played a couple of minutes of football, but when you're in your 24th season of Premier League football, and you're still prepared to do all of that, that says something in itself."

BBC football correspondent John Murray touched on how much Milner will have had to look after himself to sustain the longevity he has had, saying: "It can't be a coincidence that he's kept himself fit over the years, which I think attests to himself being a professional. He's clearly had to look after himself to be able to do that."

Listen to the full podcast here

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Twenty-four years after making his debut, James Milner, 40, will equal the record for most Premier League appearances if he features for Brighton against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

A stellar career spanning more than two decades, six top-flight clubs, 652 Premier League appearances, 61 England caps, three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League triumph has also delivered some unexpected moments.

Milner is set to go level with Gareth Barry, who played 653 times, at the top of the all-time Premier League appearance list some 8,491 days after making his debut for hometown club Leeds United soon after leaving school in 2002.

Milner was just 16 and earning £70 a week as a YTS player when he broke into the first team at Leeds, six months after taking his GCSE exams.

Milner signed for Newcastle in a deal worth £5m in 2005.

Alan Shearer, who played with Milner at Newcastle, describes him as a model professional and a "manager's dream".

"You would do well if you had him in your squad because you knew exactly what you were going to get," adds former England captain Shearer.

However, a year after signing, Milner was sent out on loan to Premier League rivals Aston Villa, with then Magpies boss Graeme Souness defending his decision at the time saying "you won't win the league with James Milners".

Milner had impressed on loan at Villa so much that in September 2006 they offered around £4m to sign him permanently but Newcastle pulled out of the deal at the 11th hour at the end of the transfer window and he would not get his permanent switch to Villa for another two years.

In 2020 he opted for the challenge of reviving Manchester City's fortunes and left five years later having helped them win two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and one Community Shield.

"We won the Premier League together in 2012 but there were times that season when things were not going well," recalls former City defender Micah Richards.

"He was one of the people who kept everyone going."

After 147 top-flight appearances for City, he was ready for his next challenge.

Next stop...Liverpool, where he won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Uefa Super Cup, Fifa Club World Cup and the Community Shield.

After Liverpool came an offer from Brighton in 2023 to prolong his top-flight career, where he continues to compete in what is his 24th Premier League season.

Milner became the Premier League's second-oldest goalscorer earlier this season and celebrated by recreating Diogo Jota's celebration in tribute to his former Liverpool team-mate, who died in a car crash last July.

"I've not scored [in the Premier League] for six years and I was wearing his number. Obviously, I've got help from the great man," said an emotional Milner after the match.

Image source, Google

Milner still remembers a conversation with veteran Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn soon after breaking into the first team 24 years ago.

"He told me, 'Enjoy it while you can because it goes so fast'. I said, 'Leave it out, Nige, I'm 16!'

"And here we are in the blink of an eye - and I'm where he was."

Read more on Milner as he nears the Premier League record

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton defender Joel Veltman says Sunday's game against Crystal Palace is unique because of the rivalry between the two clubs.

Albion are winless in their last three against the Eagles and haven't beaten them since February 2024.

"These games, it doesn't matter if we are first or they are bottom," Veltman told BBC Radio Sussex.

"We are quite close to each other now which is exciting. This game is on itself, loads of passion, lots of duels and fighting going on. It's a nice game. I love those games where the crowd is even more intense. Those duels I love to play."

Brighton are only two points above Palace and are seeking their first win in five league games, but Veltman said Fabian Hurzeler's side want a strong finish to the season.

"We do normally end the season well, like with Graham [Potter] and Roberto [De Zerbi]," he said.

"Hopefully we can continue that and we need to because we want to climb up the table. We need three points, we need big performances and that will hopefully start on Sunday."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Josh Lobley
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 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler confirmed that Diego Gomez is back and available for selection. Mats Wieffer is close to returning but Yasin Ayari, who picked up a "small shoulder issue" in Saturday's draw with Everton, will not be available.

• He added that these injuries will not change his side's approach - the focus is more on game management which has "cost them points" in recent games.

• He gave an assessment of the winter transfer window at the Amex: "I am really happy to work with this squad. Of course we had some players who left to get more game time, but overall I see good depth with a lot of potential. It's up to us to make the best out of it."

• He was asked about Brajan Gruda, who has been loaned out to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig: "It was driven by both [the club and player]. We have enough offensive options so we need to figure out what is best for the club and development of the player."

• On Matt O'Riley, who has returned after being loaned to Marseille: "He offers us experience and a danger in the opponents' box. We are pleased that he is back because he is not only a good player but has a good character which fits in to our values."

• On James Milner, who will match the all-time Premier League appearance record in his next match: "He will definitely be in the squad. He is a role model and a great character to work with. Playing and training at the level he plays, it is incredible what he is doing. I think it will be a special thing for him but he is also focused on the ambitions of the club."

Hear a section of Hurzeler's news conference on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Brighton's Cameroonian Carlos Baleba, 22, is included on Manchester United's list of midfield targets. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

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Brighton fan and football journalist covering Marseille, George Boxall, believes Matt O'Riley's early return to the Seagulls for his loan spell with the French side "works out for both teams".

O'Riley has played 25 times for Marseille this season but opportunities to start games were limited more recently.

"I think it makes sense for all parties concerned," Boxall told the Albion Unlimited podcast from BBC Radio Sussex.

"As soon as Marseille signed Quinten Timber and signed Ethan Nwaneri on loan, I think the writing was on the wall for O'Riley.

"He's not become an indispensable asset for Roberto De Zerbi's side and he has been moved around in terms of position, a bit like under Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton last season.

"It's a deal that works out for both teams and I wasn't surprised at the news."

Boxall added: "There is a lot of churn at Marseille, especially in the midfield. They have tried a lot of combinations.

"For O'Riley, he started in that 10 position and started well, but then lost his way. De Zerbi didn't fancy him in that position so moved him back next to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

"He can cover a lot of ground but does not have the impact of a Timber who is more of a De Zerbi player and allows him to play a diamond.

"The loan was underwhelming overall but he got some good experience and played in seven Champions League games. With Brajan Gruda going out on loan, there is a little spot there for him at Brighton."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of the Albion Unlimited podcast from BBC Radio Sussex reflects on Brighton's draw with Everton and Matt O'Riley's return to the Seagulls from a loan spell at Marseille.

There is also a preview of Sunday's Premier League game against rivals Crystal Palace.

Listen to the full episode

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

Joe Sayers
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Our January window started in the most perfect way you could possibly imagine for Brighton fans, with Pascal Gross making a shock return to bolster experience in our midfield.

There was hope that, with a few gaps starting to form in the squad, we would be relatively active in a January window for once.

With the big injury to Stefanos Tzimas, it has left us incredibly light up top. Only Danny Welbeck and Babis Kostoulas remain as our two options to lead the line.

An injury to Welbeck could mean the pressure then falls onto an 18-year-old to be the main man, and while he might relish that challenge, I think it is far too much pressure to be put under in your first season in the Premier League.

I am really confused about the decision to let both Tommy Watson and Brajan Gruda go out on loan. Again, we are one Yankuba Minteh or Karou Mitoma injury away from scrambling to find a stopgap solution rather than having players we know can be effective in those areas.

We have managed to get to the end of the window without any more rumours of big players leaving us, which will be as important as additions to the squad.

It is clear to see how important players such as Jan Paul van Hecke and Carlos Baleba are to our side. With these important cogs of the machine still in place, the heart of this team is still beating strong.

Overall, I am slightly worried that we are going into the back end of the season with a much shallower squad. Fabian Hurzeler has assured fans we will be where we want to be at the end of the season, so let's just wait and see...

Find more from Joe Sayers at Albion Obsessed, external

Brighton have done the following business on deadline day:

• Caylan Vickers, 21, has joined Wigan Athletic on loan, with sporting director Jason Ayto stating it was a "good move" and "opportunity to play regularly".

• Andrew Moran has joined Preston North End on a permanent transfer, for undisclosed terms. "The next step for him is to establish himself somewhere and, with that in mind, a permanent transfer suits all parties," said Seagulls' sporting director Jason Ayto.

• Brajan Gruda has moved to RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the season.

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Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says he expects Matt O'Riley to "positively impact the team" after the midfielder returned from his loan spell at Marseille.

Denmark international O'Riley played 25 times for the French club this season.

Hurzeler said: "We're pleased to welcome Matt back to the club. We know all about his qualities, and I have no doubt he will settle back into the group very quickly.

"He's had a good spell with Marseille, playing regular domestic football and in the Champions League, and we believe he can positively impact the team in the second half of the season."

The 25-year-old joined Albion from Celtic in August 2024, making 23 appearances in his first season with the club.

He made two Premier League appearances for them at the start of this season, scoring from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw with Fulham on the opening day.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton playmaker Brajan Gruda has joined RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the season.

Gruda, who joined Albion in 2024 from Mainz, has made 45 appearances, scoring four goals and contributing eight assists.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: "Brajan wants regular football, and we are not able to guarantee him that in the second half of the season, so this loan represents a good move for all parties.

"This move gives him that opportunity and a chance to continue his development. We wish him well for the remainder of the season."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what still needs to happen before the transfer window closes at 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Fran: Have said for months that we need a clinical goalscorer - one who puts away the easy chances we are currently missing. We keep getting defenders when we don't need them. Other teams get them so they are out there. You can't keep getting potential at this level to succeed.

Jon: We are lacking cover at right-back, as Hurzeler doesn't seem to fancy Veltman. Hate to say, but I think the main change has to be the manager as he is costing us points every week.

Jerry: We desperately need more striking power. We create lots of chances, but need someone who can convert the chances into goals.

Martin: We need a replacement for Joao Pedro - difficult but essential if we want to be in Europe. Bring back Ferguson as extra firepower.

Finn: I am writing this after the Everton game and I think we need a 27 or 28-year-old striker or someone who we know can score in the Premier League.

Barney: Sack Hurzeler. We have been so incompetent, sloppy and inconsistent under him - and he now makes the stadium look like a library. We play playground football and he keeps blaming it on luck.

Ask us questions about Brighton and we'll put them to our experts

Today is the final chance of the season for your Premier League team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

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