Brighton & Hove Albion

There are 18 games in both the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday - with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland involved in the former, and Brighton the latter - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Lyon v Crystal Palace (17:45)

• Torreense v Sunderland (17:45)

• Bournemouth v Sturm Graz

• Brighton v Kaunos Zalgiris

See the fixture lists in full here

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Brighton centre-forward Georginio Rutter says his team-mates are "feeling pretty confident" after racking up a five-game unbeaten streak, but also "staying very humble" in the build-up to their first Conference League fixture of the season.

Fabian Hurzeler's side, who are in the midst of a run of six games in 17 days, host Lithuanian top-flight side Kauno Zalgiris at Amex Stadium on Thursday (kick-off 20:00 BST).

When asked about the mood in camp, Rutter replied: "When you win like this, it is always good for the team spirit.

"You do also have to be careful, though, because sometimes you can get carried away and start losing your focus when you're on a winning run like this, so we have to stay focused and conscientious.

"I play football to win trophies and we have the opportunity to do that this season, so why wouldn't we try? We're going to give everything we have, but it is important that we take it game by game.

"We need to keep being consistent like we are now. If we stay very humble but pretty confident at the same time, we can do something very good."

On head coach Fabian Hurzeler asking for a "tough and dirty" atmosphere against Kauno Zalgiris, who have never played against English opposition, Rutter replied: "I've been waiting for a European game for a long time since I arrived here so I hope it's going to be a very good atmosphere.

"We need the fans behind us. We have given them a lot this year but they have given us a lot back too, so hopefully the big spirit will match on both sides.

"It will be a bit like a cup game. We will have to be careful about their strengths while also knowing our own strengths."

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

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler is the standout candidate among current Premier League head coaches should Manchester United's board choose to move on from Michael Carrick. (Sun), external

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

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Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League game against Kauno Zalgiris at Amex Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Brighton were "100% convinced" that Pascal Struijk shouldn't have been shown a red card against Sunderland last time out, so the decision to overturn it is a "positive outcome".

• The centre-back won't be available on Thursday night however, with Hurzeler explaining: "We always try to look after the health of our players. He had some issues in the international break, played 60 minutes against Sunderland, and is being managed now." It is hoped he will be fit to face Crystal Palace.

• Jack Hinshelwood is back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury and completing a full week of first-team training.

• Mats Wieffer, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since August, is "getting closer" to full fitness but this game comes too soon.

• On Brighton being thrown into a run of six games in 17 days following the international break: "We will obviously be trying to manage the players' energy so there will definitely be some changes to the starting XI. I can't say how many, but any changes will be for players who deserve it and show really good impact in training and on the pitch."

• Luka Vuskovic, who has helped to keep six clean sheets in nine appearances so far this season, could be rested. Hurzeler explained: "His mindset is to play every game but we also need to look to protect for the future, especially as he had a busy trip with the Croatia national team. If we don't manage him against Kauno Zalgiris, we will look to manage him in the next few weeks."

• He confirmed that Bart Verbruggen is his first-choice goalkeeper for European competitions, but Jason Steele will "definitely get a game" in the Conference League this campaign.

• On what he expects from Kauno Zalgiris, who lifted the Lithuanian Cup on Sunday: "We expect to face a team with a lot of belief and confidence because they are doing well in their league and they have also won a domestic cup. We expect them to defend well in a low block and also to be good in transition. They won't come to sit back, they will try to play out from the back."

• The Seagulls are anticipating "another interesting challenge" against the Lithuanian top-flight side.

• European fixtures are "different" to Premier League games in terms of knowing what to expect from your opponents, the intensity of their game and how capable they are. Therefore, Brighton will need to be "ready to adapt in the short-term".

• Lastly, Hurzeler reiterated his desire for Amex Stadium to become a "fortress" as well as a "tough and dirty" place to go to. He is hoping for an "energetic atmosphere" for their opening Conference League fixture.

Listen to more reaction from Hurzeler above or on BBC Sounds here

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The red card controversially shown to Brighton defender Pascal Struijk at Sunderland, after an intervention by the video assistant referee (VAR), has been overturned.

Struijk was sent off 57 minutes in to Saturday's match at the Stadium of Light, when he was adjudged to have fouled Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor as he tried to run on to a through-ball.

Neither referee Thomas Bramall nor his assistant gave a foul initially, but VAR Neil Davies intervened and called the on-field official to the screen.

After watching the replay multiple times, Bramall showed Struijk a straight red card for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

If Struijk had been sent off by referee Bramall it would have been a poor decision, but the fact it came via a VAR intervention is much worse.

Red cards for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity via video review are rare, simply because there are so many subjective considerations.

Last season, for instance, there were three - for Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix and Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi (though this was wrongly rejected at the monitor).

There was far too much doubt that Isidor would get to the ball before Bart Verbruggen. That means it was a possible goalscoring opportunity rather than obvious.

With such a high bar on VAR in the Premier League, Bramall should not have been sent to the monitor.

Perhaps, when sent to the screen, his judgement was clouded because he did not give a foul - but it was the kind of situation where the referee should be rejecting the advice of the VAR.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Brighton players Warren Aspinall and Guy Butters believe Fabian Hurzeler's side gave too much away defensively against Sunderland, despite winning the game 2-0.

The Seagulls had to battle in a tight first half as their opponents had several presentable opportunities, then held out following and Pascal Struijk's controversial red card early in the second period, which came four minutes after Maxim de Cuyper's opener.

"A better side playing us would have punished us," Aspinall told this week's edition of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited poddcast.

"They got in some good areas and made the wrong decisions. All the danger was coming down the left-hand side, with Olivier Boscagli, Chema Andres and De Cuyper pushing forward too many times on occasions.

"With better balls in and better end product, Sunderland could have been at least 2-0 up at half-time.

"But, they dug in after the red card and got the win."

Butters added: "When the ball is played in front of us we look really strong and on the front foot. The minute someone starts passing balls in behind and in between the full-backs, we struggle a little bit.

"You are going to concede chances like that against teams, but if you can come away with a clean sheet you're delighted."

Listen to the full episode of Albion Unlimited on BBC Sounds

Brighton, Tottenham, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are among the teams interested in Benfica's 18-year-old Portuguese right-back Daniel Banjaqui. (4-4-2.ch - in German), external

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

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A new episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast is now available to listen to and download on BBC Sounds.

Former Albion players Warren Aspinall and Guy Butters join Johnny Cantor to react to Sunday's win at Sunderland and hear from goalscorer Jaouen Hadjam.

Plus, the Conference League gets underway this week and author David Pugh profiles Getafe - possibly the Seagulls' toughest league phase opponents.

There is also the small matter of looking forward to next weekend's visit of rivals Crystal Palace.

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

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Imagine a world where Manchester City had not used "sham contracts" to build a team capable of winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups.

If City were the winners, then there had to be losers - and not just those teams who finished runners-up or lost cup finals.

The potential impact runs much deeper and includes missed Champions League qualification, relegation and Premier League prize money.

Thirty-five other teams played in the English top flight between 2009 and 2018.

And every one could in some way claim to have been left financially out of pocket.

Learn more about how the numbers were calculated here

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Lithuanian journalist Mantas Krasnickas spoke to BBC Radio Sussex to give insight into Brighton's Conference League opponents Kauno Zalgiris and said there will be a "huge gap" between the ages of the squads on display at the Amex.

The Seagulls will get their European campaign up and running against Lithuania's champions, who are something of an unknown quantity in England. Krasnickas explained how their fate changed when they merged with one of Lithuania's leading basketball clubs.

"I expected them to win their first title earlier but they didn't manage to do that," he said.

"The main thing was becoming part of Kauno Zalgiris - joining the basketball organisation. From that point, they started growing, the budget started growing. They managed to get some really great players and became a competitive team in Lithuania. With the budget growing, they became a top two club in Lithuania. It was written in the stars that they were going to win someday.

"They are the second team in Lithuanian history to make it to the Conference League. It is huge for them because the budget is something around 4.5m euros per season and it was a growing budget from last year. They got more than 4m euros for qualifying, so it's almost doubling their budget now.

"I also commentate on the Premier League in Lithuania. I like Brighton very much for how they work. They have a base of young players, bringing talents and showing what they're capable of.

"In Lithuania, it's an old fellas league. Many players are at their prime or past it, so if you look at the age differences in the starting line-ups before the game you will see a huge gap, I am pretty sure of that."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds here

Brighton have identified Red Bull Salzburg's Polish attacking midfielder Bartosz Mazurek, 19, as a leading January target. (Teamtalk), external

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

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Maxi: That was not good enough and most fans would agree that without Brobbey we are toothless upfront. No one equipped themselves well. Even Xhaka was under par. Roefs is too casual with his kicking and we looked clueless against 10 men. Le Bris needs to address our lack of goals at home. We are set up not to lose so when we go a goal down we lack guile.

Graham: Underwhelming in so many ways for us, yet, full respect for a team who looked calm, efficient and comfortable - at least by comparison.

Jura: Even with 10 men Brighton managed the game better than us and if we don't find a way of consistently scoring more goals the Brighton game will epitomise our season.

John: We are definitely at risk. We do not have the squad to compete in Europe and cups plus the league. Additional injuries to key players will make it very difficult.

Brighton fans

Norman: This was a masterpiece of overcoming adversity on the football field. A poor VAR decision didn't stop the excellent Seagulls from claiming all three points. Great result.

Daniel: Beginning to wonder just how far we can go this year!

Stuart: This was always going to be a stern test for us. The Arsenal result was fantastic, but we tend to do well against the top teams. It's the teams around us where we often struggle. Sunderland are a good team, winning there is a positive step for us when we might have expected to drop points. Game to game now as we have a very busy period. Nervously positive...

Terence: Brilliant. We fear nobody.

Barry: A dogged performance, so different from the victory over Arsenal. Struijk's red card was fully justified. Taking out Isidor was 'Serious Foul Play'. Very surprised that it needed to go to VAR.

Niall McCaughan
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

We saw how brilliant the Seagulls were in dismantling Arsenal before the international break, scoring three unanswered goals in a free-flowing performance against the champions.

No Premier League side had scored more heading in to the game with Sunderland on Saturday and the Seagulls added another two to increase that tally to 18.

At the Stadium of Light, they proved that even when the chips are down they can dig out a result.

Pascal Struijk's red card reduced Brighton to 10 men just four minutes after Maxim de Cuyper had handed them the lead.

Yes, Sunderland were poor in capitalising on the numerical advantage, but take nothing away from the visitors, who had to survive 40 minutes a player light.

Credit to Fabian Hurzeler, who quickly identified the necessary tactical tweaks to maximise his team's chances of a result, with substitute Jaouen Hadjam scoring the decisive second on the counter-attack in stoppage time.

We have seen Brighton hammer the champions and win with 10 men away from home in the past two games, lifting them to third in the Premier League table.

There is a theory that the top Premier League sides are able to win games in different ways, and Brighton have definitely shown that characteristic already this season.

Goalscorers Maxim de Cuyper and Jaouen Hadjam spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after Brighton's 2-0 victory at Sunderland.

De Cuyper said: "We knew it before, this away game [was] maybe one of the hardest in the league. We knew what was coming on us and it's good that we survived the first half because it was not our best performance.

"Actually, we did a good job because we were still in the game. Then, when the spaces are a little bit bigger in the second half, we created chances. That's how we did it.

"We have some structure in how we want to play, but we also have the freedom to do, in certain moments, what you want to do and what you feel is good. There's a lot of fluidity and that's what makes it difficult for other teams."

Hadjam, who came off the bench for his Premier League debut, added: "I'm really happy for my first minutes in the Premier League and first goal. When we are substitutes we have to make the difference.

"I have to be patient, step by step. I know my time is coming so when the coach calls me I have to be present."

Hear the full interview with De Cuyper above, click below to listen to Hadjam or head to BBC Sounds to discover the latest Brighton content

Everton hold the strongest interest in Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, although Brighton, Aston Villa, Brentford and Leeds United have the 26-year-old France international on their radar. (Teamtalk, external)

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

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Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross may be one of the best value-for-money signings in Premier League history.

In fact the 35-year-old has effectively cost the Seagulls minus £3m - and been involved in 86 Premier League goals over two spells.

Already in this campaign, Gross has been involved in seven Brighton goals in six games.

Gross was Brighton's first Premier League signing in 2017 for a reported £3m from Ingolstadt.

He left for his boyhood club Borussia Dortmund in 2024 for £8m - but in a surprise move he returned to Albion in January for about £1.7m.

A little-heralded German from relegated Ingolstadt, nobody could have anticipated the impact Gross, nor Albion, would go on to have.

"There's an argument Gross is pound-for-pound the best value player in the Premier League over the last 10 years, especially when you look at his goal involvements," said BBC Radio Sussex commentor Johnny Cantor.

"However, he also drives standards in training, sets a high bar and is a huge influence in the dressing room.

"Technically he is excellent, has superb delivery but also possesses an awareness, popping up in spaces all around the pitch. Managers have leaned on him, team-mates respect him, and fans of all generations adore him.

"He will surely be remembered as one of the best Albion players of the modern age."

Since joining Brighton, Gross is seventh for Premier League assists with 52 to go with his 34 goals in 253 league games.

All the more remarkable when you consider his journey with Brighton appeared over two years ago when he went home to join his beloved Borussia Dortmund.

Albion supporter Maz Mirzadeh said: "When he left for Dortmund, it was like going through a heartbreak and seeing an ex go back to their childhood sweetheart.

"He's outrageously good and massively underappreciated.

"If you watch him play, you would think someone's put him in slow-motion settings, but what he lacks in pace, he makes up in superior football IQ, technical brilliance and working harder than any other player on the pitch."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton came into the match against Sunderland as the league's top scorers and the in-form side in the division before the international break.

And after scoring 10 goals without reply, they have earned three successive league victories for the first time in eight years.

The fact they battled through, following a tight first half and Pascal Struijk's red card, will make this one particularly sweet.

Only Joao Pedro has been involved in more top-flight goals than Pascal Gross this season - and while Sunderland successfully nullified the veteran German creator for 45 minutes, he would not be denied after the break.

He now has seven goal involvements in six league matches and became the oldest player to provide an assist in three successive Premier League games since Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, aged 38 years and 68 days, in February 2012.

The fitness of the 35-year-old will be crucial in a busy period for Brighton, with this the first of seven matches in 21 days.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, spoke to BBC Sport after his side's victory against Sunderland: "It was a different performance [to the win over Arsenal] because we had difficult circumstances and faced different adversities.

"It was key for us today to have a really good defensive mindset. I feel it was a deserved win and I have to praise my players.

"They really stuck together, faced adversity no matter how hard it was. They did the basics really well and that is so crucial in a game like this, especially when you are one man down.

"The table is not that important in this moment. It is important that we have this belief in our quality and keep producing these performances. It is about focusing on performances and to keep on improving."

On Pascal Struijk's red card: "I didn't see it back. In that moment I felt it was a harsh decision. I need to have a look and then I can judge it. For me, and how they have educated us, if there is a clear wrong decision then VAR gets into the game. I didn't see a clear and obvious error there."

Hear more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Brighton and Hove Albion have won three successive matches without conceding for just the second ever time in the Premier League, after also doing so in October 2018 under Chris Hughton.

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

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.