'Clear and obvious?'published at 08:28 GMT 20 January
08:28 GMT 20 January
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Clear and obvious? That is the question Brighton will probably be asking after Bournemouth's VAR penalty.
Had referee Paul Tierney identified the contact by Bart Verbruggen on Amine Adli and simply said 'no penalty', then a pitchside review was unlikely. His description would have been a justifiable interpretation.
The intervention from the VAR was based around Tierney getting that wrong. Tierney booked the Bournemouth attacker for simulation. That was incorrect and it opened the door for a review.
The VAR still had to feel this reached the threshold for a penalty, though. There was an argument that the contact was slight and not enough to make Adli go down.
A key factor was that Verbruggen's challenge made in an irregular way, with a high boot catching the thigh of Adli after he had gone past.
That Adli may not have been able to keep the ball in play does not matter, only that it was still in when the foul contact happened.
Brighton 1-1 Bournemouth: What Hurzeler and Kostoulas saidpublished at 06:54 GMT 20 January
06:54 GMT 20 January
Media caption,
Brighton equaliser more than deserved - Hurzeler
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "In the end we lost the rhythm after we conceded the goal, and that is something we have to do better. In the second half we had big opportunities. We wanted to win this game, in the end we have to accept the point, but I think we definitely deserved to win this game.
"We wasted 20 minutes in the first half after the goal, and we could use them much more effectively. In the second half, we were better in positioning, and then I think that we had the game under control and we could score more than one goal."
On the Bournemouth penalty: "A lot of people have different views on that. In the end, I think that if you really see it, I don't see a penalty there. I don't know why [his assistant was booked], he was only watching from our bench. It was an emotional game. You will have to ask the referee."
On Charalampos Kostoulas' equaliser: "Yes, nice goal. We all know what he is capable of. But, we all prefer to win."
On just one win in nine: "We need to make the small margins right and that is what we definitely have to improve. We keep on working, and we need to understand that we need to bring a consistency into our behaviours. That is what we will work on."
Forward Charalampos Kostoulas speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I feel happy for my goal, but today we really needed three points. It was our aim from the start of the game, but we take one point at the end and keep going.
"Many fouls, many stoppages of time, many runs up and down - we knew that from before. We need to keep going and be more ready for these types of games."
On his overhead kick goal: "Yeah, I do it a lot. I really like them. My career is not really long, so yes [it's the best he has scored], but in the future think I will score much better goals."
On Brighton picking up one win in their last nine: "I didn't know that statistic, but we have to change it as soon as possible."
Did you know?
Brighton have won just two of their 17 Premier League games played on a Monday, drawing 11 and losing four, winning just one of these games on home soil (P12 D7 L4).
Through Danny Welbeck (35), Pascal Groß (34), Lewis Dunk (34) and Joël Veltman (34), Brighton became the first side to name 4+ outfield players aged 34+ in their starting XI for a Premier League game since Wolves v Aston Villa back in December 2003 (Denis Irwin, Paul Ince, Oleg Luzhny & Alex Rae).
Hurzeler expected more but mentality will please himpublished at 23:37 GMT 19 January
23:37 GMT 19 January
Keifer MacDonald BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Kostoulas joined Brighton from Olympiacos last summer
Before the game, head coach Fabian Hurzeler said Brighton would need to treat their remaining Premier League games as "finals" if they were to qualify for Europe.
Although the German's comment was slightly hyperbolic, he will be delighted with his side's spirit after the Seagulls battled until the 91st minute to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to five games.
The point keeps Brighton within touching reach of Chelsea, who currently occupy the Premier League's sixth and final European slot, before favourable match-ups against Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace.
The club's quest to qualify for Europe for only the second time will be boosted by the returns of Yankuba Minteh and Carlos Baleba, two players crucial to Hurzeler's plans and absent from recent Premier League matches.
Prior to Minteh's introduction, Brighton looked out of sorts and failed to really test Djordje Petrovic between the sticks
In a game of few chances, it was the Gambia international who, prior to Charalampos Kostoulas' equaliser, provided the spark for his side.
In the end, a point flattered Brighton after a lacklustre performance Hurzeler wouldn't have expected when he issued a battle cry to his side at the end of last week.
But Brighton's refusal to accept defeat could prove valuable come the business end of the season – and that alone will please Hurzeler.
Brighton v Bournemouth: Team newspublished at 19:04 GMT 19 January
19:04 GMT 19 January
Fabian Hurzeler makes four changes to the Brighton side that beat Manchester United in the FA Cup last weekend, with Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke and Mitoma returning to the starting XI.
The visitors, meanwhile, hand forward Amine Adli only a fourth start of the league campaign as they begin life without Antoine Semenyo in the Premier League.
Brighton v Bournemouth: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 08:31 GMT 19 January
08:31 GMT 19 January
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Brighton are bidding to continue a good run of home form this season against a Bournemouth side aiming for back-to-back league wins for the first time since August.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into Monday's meeting at Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls have generally been strong at home this season, with their solitary defeat coming in a chaotic seven-goal contest against Aston Villa in December - and while Fabian Hurzeler's side have since been held by West Ham United and Sunderland, they got back to winning ways against Burnley in their most recent Amex outing.
Part of Brighton's consistent home record so far has been down to an ability to bounce back when going behind, including the 1-1 draw with West Ham on 7 December, during which Georginio Rutter scored a 91st-minute equaliser, along with home wins over Manchester City and Chelsea earlier this season.
Brighton have conceded the opening goal on 12 occasions in 2025-26 and gone on to avoid defeat in seven matches (W3, D4) – the most of any Premier League side.
Affairs were slightly more straightforward when Brighton switched competitions last weekend, triumphing at Old Trafford in the FA Cup courtesy of a virtuoso performance by Danny Welbeck.
The 42-cap England international has been used sparingly in his 16th campaign of top-flight football, although he has still managed to score eight goals – tying his career-best tally after 21 league matches, despite starting just 12.
Welbeck is only two goals away from equalling the best total league tally of his career with 17 games remaining, and if the former Arsenal and Manchester United forward can stay fit and in form, he may yet make a compelling case to be on England's plane to the World Cup later this summer.
Bournemouth searching for away win
Bournemouth rediscovered winning ways of their own last time out in the Premier League, ending an unwanted club record of 11 top-flight fixtures without a victory by beating Tottenham at Vitality Stadium.
Junior Kroupi was again a key performer, scoring his seventh goal of the season in the 3-2 triumph. The 19-year-old has impressed in his first campaign of Premier League football, with only four non-British teenagers - Romelu Lukaku, Nclas Anelka, Robbie Keane and Kelechi Iheanacho - having scored more in a season in the competition.
The Cherries did not enjoy the FA Cup weekend as much as Monday's opponents, again failing to find a way to win away from home and being eliminated on penalties following a 3-3 draw at Newcastle United.
Bournemouth have not won on the road in any competition since a 1-0 victory at Tottenham on 30 August - a run of nine matches, with only Leeds, Burnley and Wolves picking up fewer Premier League points than Bournemouth's seven away from home.
Andoni Iraola's side have also lost on their past four visits to the Amex, although they may take confidence from beating Brighton at home earlier this season as they target just a second Premier League double in this fixture and first since 2019.
Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Bournemouthpublished at 14:37 GMT 18 January
14:37 GMT 18 January
Antoine Semenyo is a huge miss for Bournemouth now he has joined Manchester City, but they are still an attack-minded team and I always fancy them to score.
Brighton are the same, in that they look dangerous when they come forward but can also appear very open.
So this should be a very entertaining game and we should see a few goals too. I just can't pick a winner.
🎧'The best squad we've ever had'published at 10:43 GMT 17 January
10:43 GMT 17 January
The team on Albion Unlimited have been looking forward to the Seagulls' next encounter - the visit of Bournemouth on Monday (20:00 GMT).
Host Johnny Cantor and former Albion midfielder Warren Aspinall praised the team spirit on show at Brighton, noting their resilience. Albion have won 13 points from losing positions this season, a total only bettered by Aston Villa in the Premier League.
"People who have come into the team have hit the ground running," said Aspinall.
"It's testament to them - they get the chance and take it. But they'll probably be dropped Monday night.
"Diego Coppola wants to go to the World Cup. He wants to be playing regularly. He's not going to get it. I wouldn't be surprised if he needs to go on loan somewhere to play regular football. That could be a blow for us.
"We have a great squad. I think it's the best squad - not 11 - the best squad we've ever had."
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
Hurzeler on team fitness, Welbeck and Bournemouthpublished at 10:27 GMT 16 January
10:27 GMT 16 January
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at American Express Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There has been some sickness in the camp this week but as the game isn't until Monday, Hurzeler is hopeful the players will have time to recover and still be an option.
Carlos Baleba is back from Afcon and is "in good shape and good mood" so he should be available to face Bournemouth.
Yankuba Minteh will return but Mats Wieffer remains sidelined.
On the reason to bring Mike Anthony in as head of player development and high performance: "We saw some things [from New Zealand rugby] that I thought we could bring in to our culture and help us improve our connection and how we collaborate together."
Hurzeler said the club's medical department deserve "big praise" as Danny Welbeck "has been playing an incredible amount of minutes" in the last couple of months and that is down to their hard work and his "professional" attitude.
He said Evan Ferguson, who has been linked with a switch to Celtic on loan in this window, is expected to remain at Roma and not make the switch.
On Bournemouth: "We expect intensity because they are capable of beating every team. They demand a lot from us so we have to be mentally and physically at our highest level to beat them."
Gossip: Man Utd confident in Baleba pursuit published at 08:07 GMT 16 January
08:07 GMT 16 January
Manchester United are growing increasingly confident they will sign Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 22, from Brighton in the summer. (Sun), external
Leeds set to hijack Chelsea's Buonanotte loan dealpublished at 12:35 GMT 15 January
12:35 GMT 15 January
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United are set to take over Chelsea's loan move for Brighton midfielder Facundo Buonanotte.
The 21-year-old has made only one Premier League appearance for Chelsea, in September, after the Blues hijacked Leeds' initial attempt to sign the Argentine on loan on deadline day earlier that month.
Buonanotte has scored once and provided two assists in eight appearances in all competitions for Chelsea.
He last appeared in the 5-1 FA Cup third round win over Charlton on Saturday.
Chelsea and Brighton both agreed that the switch would be beneficial to the player's ongoing development.
Leeds are expecting him in the city to complete the move on Thursday.
They are likely to offer him a more prominent role as they look to add further attacking options under manager Daniel Farke.
Middlesbrough showing interest in Sarmiento published at 12:25 GMT 15 January
12:25 GMT 15 January
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento has emerged as a candidate for Middlesbrough.
BBC Sport understands that the Championship club are among those tracking the Ecuador international - who is currently on loan with Serie A club Cremonese - with several other sides from the second tier also understood to be keeping close tabs.
The 23-year-old has struggled to make an impact in Italy, having played only seven times in Serie A this season and is yet to score, with all seven of his appearances coming off the bench.
Sarmiento spent last season in the Championship with Burnley, where he played a key role in their promotion back to the Premier League. His performances there reinforced Brighton's belief in his long-term potential, but also highlighted how effective he can be with regular first-team football.
At this stage, it is unclear whether any potential move would be a loan or a permanent deal, with Sarmiento under contract at Brighton until June 2027 and discussions ongoing between clubs.
'Greer would constantly be on you' - Bridcuttpublished at 08:21 GMT 15 January
08:21 GMT 15 January
Image source, Getty Images
Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited, former Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt recalls players of influence when he joined the Seagulls in 2010.
"The big one was Gordon Greer. Even to this day he was my favourite captain I've ever had. Probably one of my favourite players to have behind me. He never let you rest. He knew the better I did, the easier his game was. He would constantly be on you.
"He was very intelligent. He was very good technically - not the quickest but you'd never see him get run. That was from his leadership skills in terms of organising people around him to be in the right place.
"When I first went in - he's quite aggressive with his tone - we clashed quite a bit. By the end of it, I still speak to him now. We both had a great understanding of one another and expected high standards from ourselves and everyone around us.
"He was the right person at the right time in my career in that I needed him and he wasn't going to let me rest in terms of barking orders at me."
'Gutted' - Aspinall on FA Cup drawpublished at 11:16 GMT 14 January
11:16 GMT 14 January
Image source, Getty Images
Former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall reacts to drawing Liverpool in the FA Cup on the latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited: "I was absolutely gutted.
"I know you have to beat the best to get to the final and win the FA Cup but to play Manchester United on their own patch is one thing, and then to go to another massive club, means that if we do win the FA Cup or get to the final we're doing it the hard way, that's for sure."
Aspinall looked at Liverpool's fixture list and outlined the fact the Reds are not yet in the top eight of the Champions League standings. Were they to not reach those spots after the final two fixtures, they would face a two-legged play-off, with the first tie arriving three or four days after the FA Cup game against Brighton.
Liverpool's next Champions League group game - which will be key in their pursuit of the top eight - is against Marseille, managed by former Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi.
"There's a chance they will have to play a Champions League qualifying game after they play us. So they may go weaker," said Aspinall.
"They have to be top eight in Champions League to avoid a qualifier. We need De Zerbi to do us a favour for Marseille."
🎧 Up for the Cup!published at 18:43 GMT 13 January
18:43 GMT 13 January
A new episode of Albion Unlimited from BBC Radio Sussex is available now on BBC Sounds.
There is a look back to Sunday's FA Cup win at Manchester United and a look ahead to Monday's Premier League game against Bournemouth, plus former Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt reflects on his career with the Seagulls.
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
'Old Trafford ticket price made FA Cup win even sweeter'published at 11:36 GMT 13 January
11:36 GMT 13 January
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
It was a truly historic occasion on Sunday as Brighton won a first FA Cup tie against 13-time winners and the Albion's conquerors in the 1983 final and 2023 semi final, Manchester United.
But sadly, only 800 Seagulls supporters were inside Old Trafford to witness it.
The main reason for this is simple. While a 16:30 Sunday kick-off made train travel back to Sussex impossible, plenty of Brighton fans would have sucked up the inconsiderate scheduling by broadcasters under normal Premier League circumstances.
However, these were not normal Premier League circumstances. The straw which broke the camel's back for many of the most loyal Albion away followers was the ticket price.
Free of the £30 league cap, away admission was whacked up to £55.
At first, it felt like an exploitation of Brighton fan loyalty. If I was to be more cynical, I'd suggest it might have been done in the hope Brighton took as few of the 9,000 allocation they were entitled to, leaving United more seats to sell to fans at potentially even higher prices. Magic of the FA Cup, right?
Of course, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the United hierarchy need to find the money somewhere for costs such as paying off Ruben Amorim just 14 months after appointing him as head coach. Maybe fans are helping cover expensive blunders at boardroom level.
All of this made the famous Brighton victory that unfolded even sweeter - especially knowing the Albion have stopped United from charging any other away fans £55 to visit Old Trafford in the FA Cup this season. Sorry, Sir Jim.
'Decades shaping elite cultures' - Brighton appoint Anthonypublished at 10:58 GMT 12 January
10:58 GMT 12 January
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton have announced Mike Anthony will join the club next month as head of player development and high performance.
Anthony has a background consisting of more than 25 years of experience working across elite-level sport, including a 14‑year spell with the New Zealand Rugby.
Sporting director Jason Ayto said: "We're delighted to welcome Mike to Brighton & Hove Albion. His track record within one of world sport's most successful high‑performance systems speaks for itself.
"Mike has an exceptional ability to build environments where players, coaches and teams can thrive, and his expertise will strengthen every part of our performance structure. We're excited for him to get started."
Technical director Mike Cave said: "Mike's experience in developing players and high‑performing teams at the very top level is rare. He has spent decades shaping elite cultures and helping athletes maximise their potential.
"His arrival is another important step in our strategy to build sustainable success across the club. We're very pleased to have him on board."
Man Utd 1-2 Brighton - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:07 GMT 12 January
09:07 GMT 12 January
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's FA Cup game between Manchester United and Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
Man Utd fans
Mac: Still slow play with several players not giving their all. No one to score goals. How can you spend so much money and have a team who are nearly always second to the ball, and have little option on the bench? Mismanagement, buying the wrong players, I could go on...
David: Unfortunately this is typical. United start well, don't score, then concede too easily. We play some nice stuff but are not working the keeper enough. Then we are so sloppy in defending. Slow in thought and deed, story of the season so far.
John: Too many average players. Their defence plays like football is a non-contact sport. No challenges, no one physically imposing themselves on the opponent. Until that changes they are going nowhere.
Lee: Shea Lacey - you haven't let anyone down, your teammates let you down. Your future is bright. You are the future of the club! Hold your head! We are with you.
Brighton fans
Fran: Very enjoyable game with both teams having chances. United started better than us but we grew into the game. Could have gone either way but overall I thought we just about deserved the win. I just wish we would take more chances around the opponents' goal area as we just seem to want to walk the ball in! Take responsibility and have a go even if you miss. Sometimes you get a lucky break and the ball flies in off the defenders. Other than that a great result.
Tim: Brilliant and fluid football from Albion from the start, reducing United to a few easily snuffed-out efforts. Fought harder, more precise passing, better movement, defended fabulously; in short, better in every department. UTA!
Phil: Not much mention of the fact that there were six changes today from the Brighton team that drew with Man City. Great performance from what was effectively, no disrespect intended, the Brighton B team. Awesome display lads and well deserved win!
Paul: Professional performance by Brighton. This shows the depth of the current squad. None of the selected 11 looked out of their depth. Steele proved again what a great squad keeper he is.
Image source, Getty Images
