Brighton analysis: Feel-good factor returns for Seagullspublished at 18:54 GMT 3 January
18:54 GMT 3 January
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
After failing to record a win during a frustrating December period, a home fixture against a toiling Burnley side proved to be a perfect new year tonic for Brighton.
Fabian Hurzeler's side were in full control throughout, underlined by the 599 passes they attempted - their highest in a top-flight game this term – as they enjoyed more than 60% possession.
That ensured Burnley were unable to gain any sort of foothold in the game and by the time Georginio Rutter scored only his second goal of the campaign, the hosts had already created several half chances.
Kaoru Mitoma was excellent on the left, while Charalampos Kostoulasdelivered a promising performance and was unfortunate to set off on a first-half run just a fraction too early as he found the back of the net only to be flagged offside.
The flow of the second period also allowed Pascal Gross to be eased back into action and receive a hero's welcome, having not even trained with his team-mates since his return to a club where the German spent seven seasons before leaving in 2024.
And the feel-good feeling around the stadium continued when James Milner - 40 on Sunday - moved just four appearances shy of Gareth Barry's all-time Premier League record of 653 as he entered the fray with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Brighton 2-0 Burnley: What Hurzeler and Gross saidpublished at 17:31 GMT 3 January
17:31 GMT 3 January
Media caption,
Fabian Hurzeler spoke to Sky Sports after Brighton's victory against Burnley: "We played a good game. It was not a great game but a good performance. We scored goals, kept a clean sheet, worked quire well against the ball, and made some more chances, so overall we are pleased with the performance today. We all know that there are still things we can improve so we have to keep on pushing."
On the reception for Gross: "We realised that the fans love him. I was happy for him because that mans that he proved some great things in the past. Now we have to focus on the present and keep pushing everyone."
On Minteh's fitness: "I wouldn't say a setback but w was just not 100% fit. We had to make a decision there so unfortunately he was not able to play.
On January deals: "[Gross] was the first part but I don't know if some other parts will follow. The January window in general is very complicated. I always emphasise that in my exchanges with Tony [Bloom] Mike and Paul and we will make the right decisions. If the player, the position and the character is the right one then we might do something, but overall I emphasise that we are happy with the players that we have."
Pascal Gross spoke to Sky Sports after his second debut for the club: "The last two days have been incredibly emotional for me. I haven't trained yet with the squad.!
Did you know?
James Milner's appearance means that he has now played a Premier League game in each of the last 25 calendar years since 2002, the longest such run. Only two other players have played in more than 20 separate years in the competition (Ryan Giggs – 24, Gareth Barry – 21).
Scott Parker has made three changes to the starting XI that lost 3-1 to Newcastle last time out – Bashir Humphreys, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Jaidon Anthony come in today. Maxime Estève is injured, Loum Tchaouna and Marcus Edwards drop out.
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 Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Arsenal", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Burnleypublished at 11:04 GMT 3 January
11:04 GMT 3 January
I keep backing Brighton to win and keep a clean sheet, which is part of the reason my predictions have been going so badly - they are on a six-game winless run.
Burnley's wait for a victory has gone on a lot longer and they have taken only two points from their past 10 games.
I keep saying the Clarets have been competitive, but that is not going to keep them up. Their points tally is what matters and that means they are bang in trouble.
Despite their poor run, I still see the Seagulls as being able to cause anyone problems.
They pushed Arsenal close last week and I always think they have a goal in them but, more importantly in terms of how this game will go, they are usually pretty reliable at home.
Aston Villa are the only team to have won at the Amex Stadium this season, and I don't see Scott Parker's side getting anything at all on the south coast.
Brighton v Burnley: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:05 GMT 2 January
19:05 GMT 2 January
Jordan Butler BBC Sport journalist
Two sides in need of a victory meet on the south coast on Saturday as Brighton host Burnley. BBC Sport focuses on some of the key statistics going into this game.
Brighton fans will be more delighted than most to welcome in the new year and put a dreary December firmly behind them. The Seagulls failed to win a game in the festive month, with a return of three points from a possible 18 (D3, L3).
They last had a longer barren spell at the same stage of the previous season, going eight games without a victory between November 2024 and January 2025 and head coach Fabian Hurzeler is yet to mastermind a win in December, a run which now totals 12 matches.
Start as you mean to go on…
The much-used idiom certainly applies to 2026 for Brighton and they often kick off a new year in confident fashion. The Sussex club have registered a positive result in 15 of their past 16 league matches at the start of a calendar year, with eight wins and seven draws. Their only loss came at home to Wolves in the second tier in 2016.
Defeats at the Amex have been scarce this season and Brighton have suffered just one in nine Premier League home games (W4, D4). That was to Aston Villa in December, of course, but it is almost three years since their last home reverse to a promoted side – a 1-0 loss to Fulham in February 2023 – and they are unbeaten in eight encounters with such opponents since (W2, D6).
Model pro Milner
The evergreen James Milner is set to celebrate his 40th birthday on Sunday but despite his age is showing little sign of slowing down. The Yorkshireman played 71 minutes of the midweek draw with West Ham and is now only six games away from usurping Gareth Barry's record of 653 Premier League appearances.
While it is unlikely that he will start two games in the space of four days, Milner should still be involved this weekend and will no doubt relish facing his former Newcastle and England team-mate Scott Parker, 45, in the opposing dugout.
Burnley on the slide
Burnley's midweek defeat by Newcastle was an eighth loss in 10 Premier League games (D2) and the Lancashire club sit six points adrift of safety at the halfway stage.
While that gap is not insurmountable, Parker's men have collected just two points from their past 10 games and have conceded at least twice in seven of those matches.
The club's last Premier League triumph was back in October, although that 3-2 victory over bottom side Wolves did come on the road. Dutch forward Zian Flemming found the net twice that day and although he has gone three games without a goal, a remarkable 14 of his 17 league strikes for the club have come away from home.
Clarets to coast on the south coast?
Burnley have savoured their trips to the Sussex seaside in recent seasons and they have never lost a Premier League fixture at Amex Stadium, winning two and drawing four of their six visits. They are unbeaten in seven if you include a 2-2 Championship draw in 2016.
William: I am delighted to have Pascal Gross back at the Amex. His experience and quality of reading the game and delivering accurate well-planned passes will make up for any speed loss.
Karen: We have never been the same since he left. Best late Christmas present ever!
Jake: I don't think you'll find an Albion fan with a bad word for Pascal Gross. This is by no means a criticism of the player, but it does rather reek of a desperate move by club management to quickly shoehorn into the team the experience they lack, which has been so prevalently illustrated the past month or so (and arguably throughout FH's tenure). But the expectations here are rather high, that his presence and inclusion in the team will by osmosis make the whole team experienced. And it's rather papering over some cracks in the recruitment model which have started to appear.
Graham: Great for fans, thought he would be back as backroom staff, so bonus! Great footballing mind, may lack pace BUT other attributes compensate. Welcome home, Brighton legend.
Kevin: Pascal was a great servant to our club. I would like to know what led him to leave us in the first place and why his German club is letting him go so soon.
Tony: I'm really pleased with this. The man is an Albion legend. His set-pieces, creativity and goals will really help us.
David: A brilliant player we were very sad to lose. If he is still as good as he was, an inspired signing of a player who knows where the opponent's goal is, something we are missing. Welcome home Pascal.
Ant: Pascal returns at a pivotal moment, his presence and enthusiasm will jumpstart a fightback after a rather uninspiring few weeks where little progress has been achieved. Bring it on Pascal!
Daniel: Great to have him back! He still delivers and supports the group. Shame on BVB that they made no proper use of his quality, but good for us!
Richard: It's great to have him back. He'll bring some much-needed experience into what is a young, talented team. Still need a couple of players with a bit more Premier League knowledge, but it's a good start.
Hurzeler on Minteh, Wieffer injury and Gross return published at 10:19 GMT 2 January
10:19 GMT 2 January
Josh Lobley BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Burnley at the Amex (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Yankuba Minteh had a scan on his leg after the last match against West Ham, but it was just a dead leg. They will decide if he is ready to start after Friday's training session. Mats Wieffer has a small issue with his toe which rules him out of Saturday's match, but it should not be a serious injury.
Hurzeler spoke highly of Pascal Gross, who has recently been linked with a return to Brighton - but he did not give any indication on the truth of these rumours.
He says "nothing is impossible" in regards to other potential business in the January transfer window and says he is in daily contact with chief executive Paul Barber and owner Tony Bloom.
Kaoru Mitoma "can be an option" to start against Burnley after having an impact off the bench against West Ham.
On Saturday's opponents: "The results they've had don't reflect their results so far. They have quality platers and they know how to score goals and their performances have been a warning."
Who had the best 2025?published at 10:22 GMT 1 January
10:22 GMT 1 January
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
A normal Premier League season may run from August to May, but what happens if we stop the table now? What if it was only what happened in 2025 that counted?
With the calendar flicking over to 2026, this is the ideal time to check back on which teams have had an enjoyable 12 months and see who had a year to forget.
The top five is an accurate reflection of this season's top five (although it should be noted not all teams have played the same number of games).
Arsenal have led the way this campaign and, after coming up short last season, they will be striving to go one better to finally secure an elusive first Premier League trophy since 2004.
If looking just at the past 12 months, the title would be theirs, despite a number of draws early in 2025.
Having gone through their worst run of form under Pep Guardiola late in 2024 and early into 2025, alongside their initial poor start to this season, it may be surprising to find Manchester City so close at the top.
But a feature of this City side under Guardiola is their ability to recover from less than impressive starts and go on winning streaks - they are currently on a run of six wins in the league.
Aston Villa fans can look also back fondly on 2025, having experienced the return of Champions League football, secured more European football again this term and found themselves in a battle for the Premier League trophy.
They may have had a slow start this season but their general consistency in 2025 and a club record-equalling run of 11 straight wins in the final weeks catapults them into the top three.
Having won the title with ease last season, Liverpool fans can still revel in that achievement. But a drop-off at the end of 2024-25 and a poor run this time around leaves them fourth for the year.
Meanwhile, Chelsea made progress in 2025 under Enzo Maresca, with Champions League football and two bits of silverware, but a lack of consistency in a young team prevents them ascending higher than fifth.
When looking at the next five, there are perhaps some surprises.
With their FA Cup win, 2025 will go down in Crystal Palace's history, and their Premier League form has not been too shabby either as they compete with the teams that have occupied Champions League spots in recent seasons.
No Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa? No problem for Brentford. They may have had a summer of upheaval but that has not stopped the Bees buzzing as they continue to perform above expectations.
After a few years of struggles on and off the pitch, 2025 seems to be the one Everton fans can finally start to look up rather than down with the new stadium and return of David Moyes bringing much-needed stability.
Newcastle may have had a few ups and downs, but they have come good when needed and hold their own in the top six, while Brighton continue to establish themselves firmly in the top 10.
Find out how the bottom half of the table shapes up on the post below
Who struggled in 2025?published at 10:21 GMT 1 January
10:21 GMT 1 January
Now, what about those who may have had a less enjoyable 2025?
Manchester United continue to try to find their feet under Ruben Amorim. And while there have been glimmers of progress in recent weeks, a torrid first half of the year has left them with much room for improvement (and a draw with Wolves to end 2025 only added to the questions).
Bournemouth and Fulham both seem to have found consistency in their ability to be inconsistent.
There have been bursts of form from both, but also bouts of disappointment they might rather forget.
As for Nottingham Forest, 2025 may have been the year they returned to Europe for the first time in nearly three decades, but when it came to results in the league, particularly this season, it has been more of one to forget.
Under their third head coach of the season, they will hope 2026 does not bring the return of Championship football.
Like Forest, Tottenham's 12 months has been memorable for both the good and the bad.
A first trophy in 17 years was secured in the Europa League, but it has been far from impressive in the Premier League, managing just 11 wins from 37 matches and some pressure already building on boss Thomas Frank.
One of the most notable things about the bottom end of the calendar year table is the presence of all three promoted teams, despite two of the three having played a game less than the relegated clubs of last season.
With Leeds nine points better off and Sunderland 17, it highlights the disparity in how well this year's promoted sides have done in comparison to the previous three.
For the Black Cats, it has been a dream return to the top flight, including a recent win over Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle, and in this season's table they find themselves just two points off fifth.
After overcoming a difficult patch, Leeds are also enjoying their return to the top table, slowly pulling themselves away from the danger spots.
It has been more of a struggle for Scott Parker's Burnley, but they will not lose hope with still half a campaign to go.
After recent successes with European football, domestically things have become a harder watch for West Ham supporters as they struggle to find the balance between good football and much-needed results
Then there is Wolves - and fans may want to look away.
Despite playing 20 Premier League games more, the West Midlands side accumulated only one point more than Sunderland across the year.
A win this term still eludes them and safety in 2026 appears a distant dream.
Check out how the top half of the table looked in the post above
Brighton set to re-sign Gross from Dortmundpublished at 09:41 GMT 1 January
09:41 GMT 1 January
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton are set to re-sign former midfielder Pascal Gross from Borussia Dortmund.
The 34-year-old is expected to return to Amex Stadium for a fee of about 1.5m euros (£1.31m), with the move anticipated to be announced before the weekend.
Gross left Brighton in the summer of 2024 to join Bundesliga side Dortmund for a fee in the region of £8m. He has made 11 league appearances this season, starting seven games, as Dortmund find themselves nine points behind Bundesliga league leaders Bayern Munich.
The German spent seven seasons with Brighton between 2017 and 2024 and made more than 250 appearances for the club.
Gossip: Brighton monitor Yirenkypublished at 08:58 GMT 1 January
08:58 GMT 1 January
Brighton are monitoring 19-year-old Nordsjaelland and Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, having previously signed Simon Adingra and Ibrahim Osman from the Danish club. (Sky Sports), external
Inconsistency 'been hallmark of 2025' - end of year reportpublished at 15:34 GMT 31 December 2025
15:34 GMT 31 December 2025
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Best memory and why?
Beating Chelsea twice in six days back in February was pretty phenomenal.
Over a quarter of a billion pounds has been paid into the Albion bank account to take any member of staff not nailed down at Amex Stadium to Stamford Bridge. Yet here Brighton were, knocking Chelsea out of the FA Cup, and following up with a 3-0 demolition job for three Premier League points. Cheers, Todd Boehly and Co.
Worst moment and why?
Not something which happened on the pitch, but the plan to remove Heritage Tiles from the Amex - many of which honoured Brighton fans no longer with us - and replace them with a digital wall was ill-thought out madness.
Not since supporters were battling Bill Archer, David Bellotti and Greg Stanley have fans been so united against a decision taken by the board.
Thankfully, the club salvaged the situation by U-turning and having Paul Barber apologise. But a little bit of consideration and the fiasco would never have happened in the first place.
If I could drink a New Year's brew with one member of our squad/management it would be...
Fabian Hurzeler for a festive Gluhwein.
and I'd ask them...
Why he persists in playing Georginio Rutter as a false nine when all the evidence is it doesn't work.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
I would also quite like to know where he gets the fantastic array of knitted jumpers he has started wearing this season. Results might have been patchy. Hurzeler's dugout attire is not.
The thing that's infuriated me in 2025 is…
Brighton looking like world-beaters in 20-minute spells but spending the other 70 minutes putting in displays which make you wish you had stayed at home to paint skirting boards.
My gut tells me 2026 will bring…
Sadly, more of the same inconsistency which has been the hallmark of 2025.
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Milner on 'unfortunate' draw at West Hampublished at 12:40 GMT 31 December 2025
12:40 GMT 31 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton midfielder James Milner believes his side can build on a performance "full of desire" against West Ham on Tuesday despite the disappointing draw.
"It was a tough game," he told BBC Radio Sussex. "We knew they were dangerous on the break and they've got good players. I thought we started the game quite well but unfortunately conceded the goal and then the penalty; I haven't seen it back so I don't know but it seemed quite close.
"It didn't quite go our way, we didn't quite get the luck in front of goal but I think we saw a performance full of desire, full of effort from the boys. We're very disappointed not to get the win obviously but hopefully we can build on that performance, go again next time and get the three points."
Danny Welbeck scored one penalty and missed another at the London Stadium and Milner believes it can happen to anyone.
"He slotted the first one away really well but it's always difficult when you have two penalties in a game," Milner added. "It was unfortunate, he made a good decision down the middle but these things just happen.
"Everyone misses penalties and we had chances after that to win the game but we were just unfortunate."
John: A crazy first half and nobody knew what decision the referee was going make next. At least we started with a striker this time. Unfortunately when Callum Wilson went off we struggled, the bench didn't have any quality to really make an impact. At least we didn't lose. Poor Nuno has a mountain to climb with this rabble of a club.
David: No question we're a better team with Nuno. We could have easily won the Fulham game as well as this one, but for a couple of defensive lapses and some bad luck. If we can get a forward and a centre-back in the transfer window, there's still a chance.
Joe: We truly are our own worst enemy. It's either terrible management by the board or awful on field decisions. Jarrod Bowen is a true Hammer but the rest look uninterested in what happens to the club. Another nail in the relegation coffin, I'm afraid.
Ray: I was OK with the starting line-up and it was great to see Callum Wilson starting and playing with a striker for change. But as soon as Nuno started making changes, especially pulling off Wilson, it all went downhill. Nuno has got to go.
Brighton fans
Rob: How different it looked when Kaoru Mitoma came on. The team has clearly been missing his ability to take on players and create chances from the wing. Time to give Tom Watson a start to show what he can contribute.
Tim: A chaotically entertaining game of very little quality but plenty of commitment and drama. Neither team could defend or gain any sort of control in the game. A draw was probably the right result despite the dubious VAR call for the Lewis Dunk 'handball'. Good to see Joel Veltman back - the only calm head in the Albion team.
David: Good first 10 minutes of attacking play meant we could have been two up but then we conceded a goal and the old mentality returned. We forget going forward, instead backwards and sideways passing prevails which get us nowhere. Forget Europe, concentrate on avoiding relegation, which is where we are heading unless there is a permanent change of attitude or maybe management.
Graham: Bad team selection, slow in making substitutes, lack of motivation and young players not being given a chance. Bye bye, Fabian Hurzeler.
West Ham 2-2 Brighton: What Hurzeler saidpublished at 22:55 GMT 30 December 2025
22:55 GMT 30 December 2025
Media caption,
'Lack of luck' - Hurzeler on Brighton draw and penalties
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler to BBC Match of the Day: "A good performance, but in the end not a result we can be happy with. In some moments we missed some quality, in some moments we had a lack of luck. That's why it was 2-2."
On Danny Welbeck's penalty miss: "I don't need to speak to him. He makes the decisions and we support him. If he scores, everyone says 'what a great penalty'. As a striker you always have to make decisions and he did so many good decisions. Therefore we keep pushing.
"We have proved we are capable. We have the belief in our quality and ourself. Small margins are missing but we keep pushing and I'm sure we'll be back to getting on the winning track."
Brighton analysis: Winless run grows but positivity from benchpublished at 22:37 GMT 30 December 2025
22:37 GMT 30 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Though they are not in the relegation zone like West Ham, Brighton's own winless run has extended to six games.
After winning three of four matches in November, Brighton failed to win a Premier League game in December for the second season in a row since Fabian Hurzeler joined the club in 2024.
Conceding early goals is clearly an issue - only Burnley (18) and Wolves (16) have conceded more in the first half of Premier League games than Brighton (15) this term.
Top scorer Diego Gomez had a quiet evening as he again failed to find the net in back-to-back games, but Mitoma looked sharp off the bench after recovering from illness.
As full-time approached he played a delightful one-two with fellow substitute Rutter before producing a curling effort, but Areola kept out what would have been a worthy winner with a fine save.
Perhaps a draw was to be expected - four of the past five meetings between West Ham and Brighton ended that way.
West Ham v Brighton: Team newspublished at 18:47 GMT 30 December 2025
18:47 GMT 30 December 2025
Nuno Espirito Santo makes just the one change to the West Ham side that lost 1-0 to Fulham on Saturday, with Callum Wilson replacing Crysencio Summerville in attack.
West Ham XI: Areola, Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles, Magassa, Potts, Fernandes, Paqueta, Wilson, Bowen.
Fabian Hurzeler makes four changes following Brighton's 2-1 defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal at the weekend.
Joel Veltman, Yankuba Minteh, Danny Welbeck and James Milner all come in, with Diego Coppola, Jack Hinshelwood, Brajan Gruda and Georginio Rutter dropping to the bench.
Milner, who turns 40 next week, is making his second Premier League start of the season.
Kaoru Mitoma missed Saturday's game to Arsenal through illness but is fit enough to start on the bench. Solly March is not quite ready to return from a knee injury.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman, Kadioglu, Ayari, Milner, De Cuyper, Minteh, Gomez, Welbeck.
Image source, Getty Images
