Brighton may be dreaming of Champions League football but there’s one hurdle Fabian Hurzeler’s side must overcome to get there, writes DOMINIC HOGAN
Fabian Hurzeler may have Brighton dreaming of Champions League football after another impressive win, but he will know there is one huge obstacle holding his side back at the moment.
A Joao Pedro-inspired Brighton beat Bournemouth 2-1 on Saturday, despite Carlos Baleba’s red card reducing them to 10 in a cagey final half-hour.
Yet it was only Brighton’s fifth away win in 23 attempts, and just a fourth in 16 in 2024.
In fact, the Seagulls have not won consecutive league games since September 2023, a shocking run for a team capable of challenging the best in the division.
There has been some improvement on that front this period under Hurzeler; Three wins from six is a much healthier return, with only defeats at Liverpool and Chelsea.
But if the Seagulls want to reward fans with the Champions League qualification they spent much of Saturday’s clash singing about, they must become a traveling force to compete with the very best teams.
Brighton secured another impressive victory over Bournemouth in a south coast derby on Saturday
Fabian Hurzeler’s team is dreaming of Champions League football after a record start to the season
Joao Pedro (centre) scored and assisted in a brilliant performance on Saturday afternoon
However, Hurzeler insisted his eyes were firmly on Bournemouth despite the songs at the Vitality Stadium.
“I don’t listen so they can sing whatever they want,” he said with a smile.
‘I didn’t hear it. I was focused on the game but I think it’s always important to make the Seagulls supporters proud because at the end of the day they pay a lot of money, they spend a lot of time to support us and it’s our responsibility to give them something back . ‘
It was a disappointing end to Andoni Iraola’s 50th league appearance at Bournemouth, but what a job he has done at the Vitality Stadium, with 17 wins, 12 draws and 21 defeats.
Had they beaten Brighton, they would have reached 18 points, doubling last season’s tally from twelve games.
Frankly, it wouldn’t have been a surprise, which is a testament to how impressive the 42-year-old has been.