Hurzeler says Brighton were not 'brilliant in the basics' after Chelsea defeat
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Fabian Hurzeler, Manager of Brighton & Hove Albion, looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on August 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Fabian Hurzeler examined a 4-3 loss for Brighton against Chelsea.
The Seagulls started the new season strong with an emphatic 4-0 victory against Aston Villa, having picked up the sixth most points of any Premier League outfit in the first five months of 2025.
ยท'We didn't find the right balance'
Their first away day of the calendar at the Blues would help people to gauge just how strong the side is, but Brighton unfortunately could not quite rid themselves of lapses that have hurt in the past.
Romeo Lavia exposed a goalkeeping error to break the deadlock, then Morgan Rogers released Pedro Neto for a quickfire second, and Joao Pedro had put the hosts 3-0 up by the 32nd minute.
Yalcouye shines on debut
Malick Yalcouye scored on his Premier League debut and Pascal Gross had a big hand in the last two goals for the Seagulls, but they would walk away emptyhanded from this entertaining game.
"Frustrating part is that we controlled the game, scored three goals away and had lot of chances but we lost. We didn't find the right balance between controlling the game and being good defensively. It was small margins and Chelsea had so much quality to punish us.
"Frustrating but a lot of positives to take away as well. We came here to win the game and the boys showed that attitude even at 3-0 down. We will get stronger because of this game and we can make the next step in our development. We are usually brilliant in the basics. We will analyse it."
Hurzeler's verdict on the debutant
" Malick Yalcouye had an impressive performance today. He showed attitude and personality at a tough place to go. In the end, we would have been more happy if we could take points away from this game. But it's important to emphasise these kind of performances."