Brighton & Hove Albion

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Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross says the Seagulls must be "smart" when managing games after conceding in added time for the second week in a row.

Following Fulham's 92nd-minute winner last weekend, Everton's Beto found a 97th-minute equaliser at Amex Stadium on Saturday to deny Fabian Hurzeler's side three points.

"Painful," Gross said post-match. "It's the second week in a row. For us, it's about the players putting in the last little bit of effort.

"Always things can happen in the Premier League with the quality because other teams push us on but you need 11 men behind the ball, play the game smart, and to do everything for the team to protect those three points.

"We know how hard it is to get those three points and with the effort we put in we deserved them probably but the Premier League is ruthless and I think we have to improve a lot faster from last week as it has happened again this week.

"We need to sit down and also speak about game management.

"You need to understand what time of the game it is and you can't play the same if it's the 10th minute or the last minute, or if we are 1-0 up or 1-0 down.

"There are certain ways you have to do it; you win one more throw, you take the pace out of the game, you need to play it smart.

"We need to grow fast. We have a lot of talent but we need to speak about it as players. We should all be good enough as a team to solve it on the pitch."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Sarah: I feel like crying after watching that match. It's like Groundhog Day. The first half was dull but we were the better team for the whole of the second half. Our second goal didn't look offside to me and then we concede 30 seconds after the end of stoppage time when the match should have finished! I have no idea why Fabian Hurzeler felt the need to take Pascal Gross off and substitute him for Milner in the last minute of the game - again! Gross was furious. It completely mucked up the flow of the game, and cost us the win and five places in the table.

Malcolm: Hurzeler has to go. He is so out of his depth in the Premier League. The players do not seem up for the fight and the tactics are atrocious. Bring on next season as there is nothing left this time around.

Michael: Another really poor display. Brighton haven't played a good game since they beat Leeds in November. The performances have been awful and I think the manager needs to go at the end of the season. I'm seriously considering getting rid of my season ticket based on this average team! The fans deserve better.

Andy: Lewis Dunk and Jan-Paul van Hecke immense again. Carlos Baleba back to his best and Yankuba Minteh running the Toffees' defence ragged again, just needs to find his shooting boots. Gross so influential in midfield. Karou Mitoma not back up to full speed quite yet. Ferdi Kadioglu great again. Yasin Ayari dawdling a bit and needs to sharpen up.

Everton fans

Stephen: Another good result away from home but Everton need more players to come in before the end of the January transfer window.

Brian: Could have and should have scored twice before Beto rescued us. Our owners have invested significantly in our club - great stadium, loyal fanbase - but they are not going to get the return on investment unless they buy a top-class striker. You can't fault Betto and Thierno Barry for effort but we need a real number nine.

Robbie: Why does it always have to be a game of two halves? We always seem to start off slowly and go in at half-time pleased we have not conceded. The second half always seems to be a different team. I guess the results in the past six games speak for themselves but it is not entertaining and is nerve-wracking.

Mark: Our quality is very limited. Jack Grealish is a big miss from our attack. Neither Barry nor Beto are the type of striker who will make Evertonians' blood stir. We're well organised and generally hard to beat. Even David Moyes is capable of an off day with that very strange team selection. But we are overperforming in terms of our league position and a top-half place would flatter us. A major restrengthening is needed in the summer if we are to start to challenge for a trophy. Onward and upward.

It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 GMT.

How would you assess Brighton's window? Do you think any position needs more attention? If so, give us names of who should be brought in. And what about who needs to go?

Get in touch with your views here

Pundits Shay Given and Steph Houghton join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 1-1 Everton

• Leeds 0-4 Arsenal

• Chelsea 3-2 West Ham

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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Fabian Hurzeler's decision to take off Carlos Baleba in the 81st minute at Craven Cottage last week was greeted with boos from the Brighton supporters.

It did not help the German manager's cause when Fulham found a 92nd-minute winner to leave the Seagulls with just one win in 10 league outings.

There was a sense of deja vu on Saturday as Brighton were denied more points in a late 1-1 draw with Everton.

And more boos rang out at the Amex Stadium at the final whistle as Beto snatched a certain victory from Hurzeler's grasp in the seventh minute of added time.

Brighton had looked determined to turn things around against the Toffees and made a strong start.

Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck went close to an opener in quick succession inside three minutes, before Welbeck had a header from a Maxim De Cuyper corner sail off target.

However, after Kaoru Mitoma went agonisingly close to a breakthrough in the 18th minute, both teams cancelled each other out for the remainder of the half.

The second half began with persistent pressure from the Toffees, but Germany midfielder Gross's first goal since rejoining the club from Borussia Dortmund would have come as a relief for his compatriot Hurzeler.

His first Premier League goal since a penalty against Tottenham in February 2024 came just when it felt like Everton were having a foothold in the game.

But the visiting side's late reply means the Seagulls are now winless in their past five games, with pressure mounting on their manager.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Definitely, it's painful but I think we started the game well. We controlled the game well.

"Second half we had more problems but we scored a goal because our subs made a good impact. Then at the end it's painful but it's also football and we go on."

On game management: "I said before the game that we need to manage the key moments better. One moment cost us the game and, therefore, it is something to do with game management as well."

On Pascal Gross' goal: "Happy for him but, of course, we all want to win."

On Charalampos Kostoulas' dummy to create the goal: "We know what he is capable of doing and he proved it, so happy for him."

On the performance: "I think we did enough to win but it's about results as well. We have to find a way to manage the key moments better."

On conceding late goals: "That's football. There are two options, to be self-pitying or to take ownership, responsibility and show a great reaction. That's what we'll try to do, that's our choice."

Hear more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Brighton have now lost just one of their last 16 home games in the Premier League (W7 D8) and are unbeaten across their last five (W1 D4) – only Sunderland (0) have lost fewer home games in the league than the Seagulls this season (1, level with Arsenal and Manchester City).

• However, today's draw leaves Hurzeler's side winless at home in the Premier League against Everton since October 2019 (3-2), extending what is their longest ever winless run at home to the Toffees in all competitions (D3 L3).

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

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Have your say on Everton's performance

Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies

Fabian Hurzeler makes two changes to his Brighton side after a 2-1 defeat at Fulham last time out.

Georginio Rutter and Maxim De Cuyper return to the starting line-up as Olivier Boscagli and Diego Gomez, who picked up a knock in training, drop out.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Rutter, Baleba, Welbeck, Mitoma, Kadioglu, Ayari, De Cuyper, Gross.

Subs: Steele, Julio, Gruda, Minteh, Milner, Kostoulas, Boscagli, Veltman, Howell.

Everton manager David Moyes makes three changes from the 1-1 draw against Leeds.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite return to the starting line-up after injuries while Michael Keane is back from a three-match suspension.

Everton XI: Pickford, Keane, Tarkowski, Ndiaye, Barry, O'Brien, Dewsbury-Hall, Gueye, Branthwaite, Garner, Armstrong.

Subs: Travers, Patterson, McNeil, Beto, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Rohl, Iroegbunam.

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

• Brighton v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Bournemouth

• Chelsea v West Ham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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 Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v West Ham", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

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Brighton midfielder Joe Knight has completed a permanent move to Stevenage, for what the League One club say is an "undisclosed six-figure fee".

The 20-year-old joined the Seagulls academy as an under-12 and made his Premier League debut as a late substitute in November's 3-0 win over Leeds.

Brighton sporting director Jason Ayto said: "This is a great move for Joe, he wants to go and play and now has the opportunity at a club pushing for promotion in League One.

"He is a credit to our academy and all those coaches and staff who have worked with him over the past decade. We wish him the very best of luck for the future."

Knight has made 28 appearances for Brighton in the Premier League 2 and joins a Stevenage side who currently sit just outside the play-off places in League One.

Jack Grealish's absence is a big blow for Everton but at least Iliman Ndiaye is back to provide some creativity - and the best news of all for Everton is that Thierno Barry has found his shooting boots.

The Toffees' away record this season is pretty good - they have only been beaten once on the road since 18 October and have picked up more points away (17) than they have at home (16), despite playing one game fewer.

They usually do pretty well at Amex Stadium too, and I think they will get at least a point here for what would be the sixth season running.

Despite their patchy recent form, Brighton have only lost once at home so far - to Aston Villa in December - but they do draw quite a few games.

That's what I am going for here, but my record when I have predicted both of these teams this season means we will probably see one of them win it!

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Fresh from landing a blow on the best home team in European football in their previous away outing, Everton will look to continue their excellent record on the road at Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Toffees earned a superb 1–0 victory at Aston Villa – who had won 11 games in a row at Villa Park – a fortnight ago. They followed that up with a frustrating 1–1 draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday against Leeds United, although there were some reasons to be positive from that encounter.

Brighton are finding things to be a slog at the moment. Last week, they were beaten 2–1 by Fulham as their form continues to stall.

Brighton slow out of the blocks

Since the start of December, only the two sides at the bottom of the Premier League – Burnley and Wolves – have earned fewer points than the eight by Brighton. It's just one win in 10 league games for Albion during that time.

Although they are only three points behind Everton in the table, Brighton supporters will not be relishing the visit of the Merseysiders. At home, the Seagulls have not won any of their past five meetings with the Toffees, with their last victory in the fixture coming in 2019.

The supporters will want to see the team get on the front foot between now and the end of the season. So often Brighton have found themselves in a hole, conceding 55% of their Premier League goals this season in the first half of games (17 of 31) - the highest share in the division.

As a result, Brighton have been behind at half-time on 12 occasions, more than any other team this season.

And could a little more commitment in their battles help? Brighton have lost more challenges than any team in the league this season, with Bournemouth a distant second.

Everton up for a battle, with Barry transformed

In Everton, they face a team that have a clear game plan in their away fixtures. In contrast to Brighton, much of their success has come from their competitiveness.

The Toffees have been involved in (2,570) and won (1,337) the most duels in the Premier League this season. Their 52% duel success rate is only narrowly bettered by Liverpool's 52.1%.

Even with those figures in mind, Everton's defensive performances on the road are impressive. They have kept five clean sheets in their past six Premier League away games, including the past three.

Crucially, manager David Moyes can boast an edge in attack now too. Having struggled to even hit the target early in his Everton career – eventually scoring in his 14th Premier League game – Thierno Barry is now one of the in-form forwards in the top flight.

His goal in the draw with Leeds was his fourth in five games, and fifth overall. Impressively, the former France Under-21 international has netted those five goals from a total of 10 shots, which is the best conversion rate of any player to have taken more than five shots in that time.

Everton have relied on him, with goals drying up in other areas. He has scored five of the team's past nine goals.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Everton at American Express Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Diego Gomez "had a small issue in training" so he will be assessed after today's training session.

• Hurzeler said Gomez "is the only concern" and otherwise it is "the same squad available".

• Solly March, who was pictured on the grass this week, is not yet ready to make a return and it is "really difficult to predict" when he will be.

• Hurzeler said their "recent performances were good," but he understands "there is a lot of frustration about the results" because winning is the most important thing.

• On turning performances into results: "We tried to channel the frustration into training in the week and I saw a really good reaction from them which is positive. We see that we are close but we just have to manage key situations of games better. We can't promise a win but we can promise full commitment and effort."

• Everton are "difficult to beat" as "they have a lot of experience in their squad" and a good coach in David Moyes.

• More on Saturday's opponents: "We need patience, good positioning and decision making. We should be very confident as well that we can outplay them and create chances to go there and win it."

• Hurzeler said "he can't rule anything out" before Monday's transfer deadline but he is "really happy with the squad" as it is "full of potential and options".

• On Nottingham Forest's reported £20m offer for midfielder Yasin Ayari: "I am not taking part in these types of speculations. I really enjoy working with him and he really enjoys working with us. He is a bright player."

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

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Brighton centre-back Diego Coppola has joined Ligue Un side Paris FC on loan for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old joined the Seagulls in the summer from Serie A strugglers Hellas Verona and has made nine appearances.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: "We're really pleased with how Diego has settled in and adapted to the demands of playing in England.

"His attitude has been outstanding and he now has an opportunity to be playing regularly in France before we welcome him back in the summer.

"Getting more game time will benefit his development and give him the best possible chance of helping Italy reach the World Cup finals and be part of that."

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As you'll read further down this page, our Brighton fan writer thinks James Milner is being handed appearances in order to help him surpass the Premier League record. We've asked you if you think that's the case.

Here are some of your opinions which focus on Milner playing when perhaps he shouldn't:

Joe: I do not agree with the Milner vanity project. He should be a member of the coaching staff and not a member of the playing squad. We have younger, better options than him.

David: There is no doubt that Milner has been a great player but age catches up with everyone. He is therefore only able to give 100% in very short bursts and should only come on as a substitute in desperate situations when younger legs are not available. Brighton must come well before breaking records and I am sure he realises that.

Jake: It's been clear for some time he's not up to it any longer, not for Brighton and probably any Premier League team considering the intensity of the modern game. I'm sure his experience was useful but with Pascal Gross back to provide that alongside superior playing capability maybe it's time to advance to a potential coaching role. That said, Hurzeler does seem to love an out-of-position utility player, so no surprise there's a real bromance.

Brian: Bringing Milner on towards the end of any game affects the balance of the midfield, usually causing unnecessary problems. I think the manager is just giving Milner an opportunity to beat record appearances rather than to improve team.

Some however think using Milner is not an issue...

Graham: Utter nonsense. Milner is brought on to shore up the midfield being a more defensive player and far more experienced than others. I'd ask the question why Gomez is shoehorned into every single starting 11 if we're fantasising about contractual liabilities.

Rozzer: Milner has represented the best of professionalism in English football for some time now. He has been a role model to thousands of youngsters in how he conducts himself on and off the pitch and he is deserving of this record. There will always be opportunity for him to do that this season without having too much impact on Albion. Well done Milner.

Brighton's James Milner is closing in on the Premier League appearance record.

You can see below some fans are frustrated with how he is being used, while BBC Sport has been told his appearances are not a result of a clause in his contract.

How do you feel about Milner's role in the squad right now?

Get in touch with your views here

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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When did Brighton & Hove Albion turn into a charity for Premier League appearances? That was one of the many questions Seagulls supporters were asking coming away from defeat at Fulham on Saturday.

Not for the first time this season, Fabian Hurzeler made a substitution involving James Milner which made little sense. Adding to the feeling, Milner is being gifted appearances so he can break the Premier League record.

Hurzeler bringing on Milner at Anfield back in December, for example, was clearly done for another tick in the box and a nice reception from the home crowd. The token substitution did not go down well at the time.

Milner made matters worse afterwards with a social media post thanking Liverpool fans, but no mention of the 3,000 Albion supporters making a 540-mile round trip two weeks before Christmas.

As annoying as it was seeing a 39-year-old come on when Brighton had young players on the bench who could have benefited from the experience, at least the Albion were 2-0 down. It had no bearing on the outcome.

Which was not the case against Fulham. Carlos Baleba had run the midfield with his best performance of the season. If Baleba was tiring, Hurzeler had Jack Hinshelwood on the bench to bring similar energy and drive.

Instead, Hurzeler introduced Milner with 81 minutes played. 11 minutes later and Fulham scored their winner from a free kick conceded in the exact area of the pitch Baleba had defended well all afternoon.

So baffling and frustrating has this become that some Brighton fans are now buying into the conspiracy that the contract Milner signed in the summer contained a clause saying the Albion had to help him pass Gareth Barry's 653 top-flight games.

It is a conspiracy and no more.

What is certain is Milner is now within two of that number. He could reach the milestone against Crystal Palace in a fortnight and surpass it at Aston Villa the following Wednesday.

Good for him. And hopefully good for Brighton if it means Hurzeler stops making decisions which appear to be for the benefit of Milner rather than Brighton.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Read more info on Milner from BBC Sport below. And remember, this is your Brighton page. Hit follow if you're on the website and you'll see more Brighton content when you visit us. On the app? Hit the bell icon and select news alerts. We'll then send you the best bits.

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

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Speculation around James Milner's involvement at Brighton has gathered pace in recent weeks, particularly after his introduction from the bench against Fulham prompted confusion and frustration among some supporters.

The 40-year-old midfielder is closing in on Gareth Barry's all-time Premier League appearance record of 653, leading to suggestions that Milner's contract may include clauses linked to reaching the landmark.

However, BBC Sport understands there is no such provision in Milner's Brighton deal.

Any implication that the former England international is being selected or used specifically to edge him closer to Barry's record is widely off the mark, according to sources close to the situation.

Milner, who joined Brighton in 2023, has been used sparingly this season by Fabian Hurzeler, with numerous appearances from the bench and his last start coming in December against West Ham - one of just two Premier League starts all season.

The former England international currently sits second on the Premier League's all-time appearance list with 651, two behind former Aston Villa and Manchester City midfielder Barry. While the milestone remains within reach, there is no obligation - written or otherwise - dictating how or when Milner is deployed.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel says the video assistant referee (VAR) was correct to step in for Bournemouth's penalty at Brighton on 19 January.

Amine Adli went to ground after trying to go past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the 27th minute.

Referee Paul Tierney booked Adli for simulation but the VAR, Jarred Gillett, said there had been contact by the keeper on the Morocco international.

After visiting the pitchside monitor Tierney changed his decision to a spot-kick, which was scored by Marcus Tavernier.

Charalampos Kostoulas rescued a 1-1 draw for Brighton in added time.

"For me it's not a penalty, but we have to accept people make mistakes and now we go on," said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler after the game.

"Maybe a little bit of contact maybe but for me it's not a foul."

But the five members of the KMI Panel unanimously backed the VAR, saying Verbruggen "clearly makes high contact on Adli's leg".

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Former Brighton player and Albion Unlimited presenter Warren Aspinall believes Charalampos Kostoulas should have gone over to acknowledge fans after their 2-1 defeat by Fulham on Saturday.

Kostoulas, 18, gave away the free-kick from which Harry Wilson subsequently scored to give Fulham a late winner.

The defeat means Brighton have won just one of their last 10 league games and travelling fans vented their frustrations as the full-time whistle blew.

After the loss, Kostoulas appeared to not go over and acknowledge the Seagulls supporters, despite team-mate Georginio Rutter encouraging him to do so.

"One thing I'll bring up, it doesn't matter if he's given the free-kick away for the strike from Wilson and Kostoulas is frustrated," Aspinall said on the podcast.

"But one thing you do is appreciate the fans that paid good money - win, lose or draw.

"It was a great turnout once again and he didn't acknowledge the fans. It doesn't matter if you're 17 or 37, if you think you've let your team-mates down, which I don't think he did, OK he gave the free-kick away but it's a long way out.

"Players were talking to him and telling him to go over. Fair play to Rutter, he was trying to drag him over but he was having none of it.

"He has to learn and learn quickly, because fans were ringing in after the game frustrated about that and I understand it.

"Go and acknowledge them and say thanks, if they start having a go at you then you take it.

"You get paid good money, you're an entertainer at the end of the day. Whatever comes your way, you have to take it."

Listen to the full episode here

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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

Brighton have turned down an approach from Nottingham Forest for 34-year-old ex-England defender Lewis Dunk. (Sky Sports), external

Brighton could see loan Brazilian defender Igor Julio coming back to the club in order for West Ham to follow through with deals on deals for Tottenham's Czech keeper Antonin Kinsky, 22, and Chelsea's French defender Axel Disasi. (Guardian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari reflects on the defeat at Fulham, there's the latest on the transfer window and the BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty discusses Albion's DNA.

Listen to a new episode of Albion Unlimited here

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