Brighton and Hove Albion head to Merseyside this weekend as they take on Everton in the first Premier League game at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Brighton kicked off the season with a 1-1 draw against Fulham, though Fabian Hurzeler will surely have been left bitterly disappointed.
The Seagulls held a 1-0 lead going into stoppage time, but saw in-demand Rodrigo Muniz pop up with a last-gasp leveller.
Draws were a major problem for Brighton last season, as Hurzeler’s side racked up 13 draws, behind only Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Sunday’s opponents, Everton.
Brighton’s trip to Merseyside will see them play in the first Premier League game at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, and they would surely love to spoil the party.
Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler looks on against Manchester United
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Fabian Hurzeler on Everton supporters
Everton fans are certainly keen to see a response from David Moyes’ side.
Leeds United beat Everton 1-0 on Monday, meaning the Toffees opened the season with a frustrating defeat on the road.
The Toffees must respond, especially in this first game at their new home, and Brighton boss Hurzeler is expecting a lively atmosphere.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Brighton’s official YouTube channel, Hurzeler admitted loving the ‘special’ atmosphere at Goodison Park.
Hurzeler is expecting Everton fans to create a similar atmosphere at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but laid out his determination to pick up a result.
The Brighton boss is adamant that his team will not be ‘the nice club’ at Everton’s new stadium, vowing to try and ruin the Toffees’ big day.
“So, first of all, it’s very important that, and I said it before the last game, we really should focus on us, because there are things that we might not expect, that we might not prepare for, there are unpredictable things that can happen, so these are all things we can’t influence,” said Hurzeler.
“The focus should really be on our preparation and how we can be the best-prepared team for this game.
“And then, of course, we all know, and I experienced it on my own in the first game I had at Everton, it was a special atmosphere, a loud atmosphere, and we expect the same this weekend.
“Everton supporters, they are known for being very emotional, positive emotional, they are known for being great supporters for their team, so we are looking forward to this atmosphere, we are looking forward to seeing the new stadium, but we are not there to be that nice club, we are there to win points and that’s our goal,” he added.
Fabian Hurzeler has already experienced delight at Everton
Hurzeler no doubt has memories of last season’s trip to Everton in mind.
Brighton opened last season against Everton, meaning Hurzeler’s first game in Premier League management was at Goodison Park.
The Seagulls were brilliant on that day, recording a 3-0 victory as Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra all found the net.
Everton will be in a new home this time, but Hurzeler would love a repeat performance and to pick up his first win of the new season.
The Brighton boss will be mindful of the atmosphere created by Everton fans and will look for his players to step up to the occasion and record another victory over the Toffees.