Emotional, but not euphoric.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler chose his words carefully after Joao Pedro’s dramatic goal secured a 2-1 win against Manchester United at the Amex Stadium.
While euphoria could describe the crowd’s reaction at the final whistle, Brighton’s recent success against United — five wins in their last six meetings — has made such victories feel almost routine. The excitement could also be attributed to Brighton starting the season with back-to-back wins, a feat they accomplished last season as well.
However, it seems more likely that Brighton fans are optimistic about having found yet another manager capable of continuing the club’s remarkable progress, a trajectory their supporters could never have imagined two decades ago.
“It was emotional,” Hurzeler said. “It always is when you get a win in the last minute, and my team deserved to win.
“It’s difficult to describe emotions. That is why I love the job. You can’t buy these emotions, and you won’t get them from anywhere else. But we have to be honest, if United scored, it would be very difficult for us. I am realistic, never euphoric, because if you are euphoric, you lose focus on the realistic things.”
Brighton scores a 95th-minute winner to beat Man Utd. That seems a roundabout way of Hurzeler saying he keeps his feet on the ground.
There was an element of luck in Brighton’s win. On a wet pitch, Joshua Zirkzee couldn’t stop his slide towards goal after missing Bruno Fernandes’ cross in the 72nd minute. Unfortunately, his position led to Alejandro Garnacho’s shot being ruled offside, disallowing the goal.
However, Brighton’s smooth transition from Roberto de Zerbi to Hurzeler suggests the club made the right decision by appointing the 31-year-old former St. Pauli coach as their new manager. Starting the season with a commanding win over Everton at Goodison Park, followed by a victory against Manchester United at home, is a promising beginning — but not surprising.
“No,” said Hurzeler. “It is not a surprise. There are some great characters here. It is a community, like a family. Everyone is buying into it.
“My job is to build on the foundations laid over the last three years because the club’s success during that time has been massive. That’s why I haven’t changed much. I’m just trying to integrate with my team and deliver the success the club deserves.”
Welbeck is ‘a role model’
When Hurzeler was appointed earlier this summer, much was made of his age and the fact that several key players are older than him. One such player is 33-year-old Danny Welbeck.
Welbeck, who signed a new contract in the summer, has become a key figure both on and off the pitch, especially with Evan Ferguson recovering from an ankle injury and £40 million newcomer Georginio Rutter still adjusting after his move from Leeds.
Welbeck scored his 100th career club goal — his fifth Premier League goal against his former club — when he turned in Kaoru Mitoma’s first-half cross. He also hit the crossbar with a powerful header in the second half. While his on-field impact is evident, his off-field contributions are more subtle.
“Danny is a role model,” Hurzeler said. “I can learn from him because he has the experience I didn’t have as a player. He is a connector. He pays attention in the locker room. I have had some talks with him, and he shares his opinion. It is enjoyable to work with him.”
Transfer business
Hurzeler knows success in football can be fleeting. After the high of this victory, Brighton faces a Sussex derby against Crawley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, presenting a potential banana skin that they must avoid stepping on.
Following that, a trip to Arsenal will truly test the longevity of the “we are top of the league” chant sung by Brighton fans at the final whistle — a chant that Hurzeler jokingly admitted he did not understand.
As the match against Arsenal comes the day after the transfer window closes, Hurzeler will know the exact makeup of his squad by then.
Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley is expected to complete his £25 million switch this weekend, adding to the list of signings — including Rutter, who made a brief but crucial seven-minute debut — who are being gradually integrated into the team.
O’Riley’s arrival is expected to signal the departure of Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour, who brushed off speculation about a move to Serie A side Napoli with a man-of-the-match performance.
Behind the scenes, Hurzeler has shared his views on Gilmour’s situation but is wise enough not to make them public.
“He knows my thoughts,” said the Brighton boss. “I am very transparent. But I don’t talk about these situations in public.”
