The Big Discussion: Can Brighton go to the next level?
Another great day for Brighton fans. Are they about to go the next level this season?
Euphoria was certainly the word to describe the noise that greeted the final whistle, even though beating United has become almost routine for Brighton, with five victories in their last six meetings.
Perhaps the excitement was due to starting the season with back-to-back wins, although Brighton achieved that last year as well. More likely, it’s because they’ve once again found a manager who can keep the club moving forward, reaching heights their fans could never have imagined two decades ago.
There was an element of luck in Brighton's win, particularly when Joshua Zirkzee, on a wet pitch, couldn’t stop himself from sliding towards goal after failing to convert Bruno Fernandes' 72nd-minute cross. Unluckily, he didn’t cross the line before Alejandro Garnacho’s shot struck him, resulting in the goal being ruled out for offside.
However, the seamless transition from Roberto de Zerbi to Hurzeler suggests Brighton made the right choice in appointing the 31-year-old former St Pauli coach as De Zerbi’s successor this summer.
Kicking off the campaign with a thrashing of Everton at Goodison Park and a home victory over Manchester United is a satisfying start. Satisfying, but not unexpected.
Welbeck remains key
When Hurzeler was appointed earlier in the summer, much was made of his youth, especially since several of his key players are older than him. Danny Welbeck is one of them.
The former England striker signed a new contract in the summer and, with Evan Ferguson being carefully managed back to full fitness after his recent ankle injury, and £40 million signing Georginio Rutter still adjusting after his move from Leeds United, Welbeck remains a vital presence both on and off the pitch.
Welbeck scored his 100th career goal at club level—his fifth in the Premier League against his former club—by finishing Kaoru Mitoma's first-half cross. He also came close to a second, heading firmly against the crossbar in the second half.
Premier League: 2024/2025 season (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Hurzeler knows that success in football can be fleeting, and after the high of this victory, there’s the potential stumbling block of a Sussex derby against Crawley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
Chaos after Joao's 95th minute goal... 😆 pic.twitter.com/mRKJEODWAu
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 24, 2024
Following that, Brighton face a tough trip to Arsenal, which will test just how long the "we are top of the league" chant, sung by Brighton fans at the final whistle, can last. This was a chant Hurzeler joked he didn’t understand.
As the Arsenal match comes the day after the transfer window closes, Hurzeler will soon know the exact composition of his squad. The big question everyone will keep asking, are Brighton ready to take the next step?
