Brighton’s line-up can often be hard to predict but the team named to face Crystal Palace was particularly surprising.
The headline news is Jan Paul van Hecke is out with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Oliver Boscagli. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Harry Howell has been given his first Premier League start.
Charalampos Kostoulas leads the line, with the teenager picked ahead of veteran Danny Welbeck – who is among the substitutes.
Also on the bench is James Milner, who could equal the Premier League record for appearances this afternoon (Sunday, February 8).
Harry Howell scored Brighton's fifth goal during the Carabao Cup third round match, at Barnsley, in September. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Harry Howell scored Brighton's fifth goal during the Carabao Cup third round match, at Barnsley, in September. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Yasin Ayari (shoulder injury) joins Van Hecke in missing out on the match.
In more positive news, Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez are back from illness and minor injury respectively. They are both on the bench, alongside Matt O’Riley and Igor Julio. who are back from their loan spells away from the club.
Howell’s starting berth will raise a few eyebrows but the youngster is highly regarded at the club and is seen as one of the most exciting young players from the academy.
The teenager has been on the fringes of the first team this term and has one goal and two assists from his two appearances in the Carabao Cup.
“We had an open exchange with him and his agent," said Hurzeler, ahead of Brighton's trip to Arsenal on December 27.
“I think the rumours are just noise. He is back in our environment now.
“We have some clear values, some clear principles we want to see from every player.
“We know that Harry Howell has very big potential, that Harry Howell can be a big, big player for us.
“But first of all it is about hard work, it is about delivering it every day, every training session.”
Hurzeler joked that he considered sending Howell for a doping test ‘because he was so good in training’.
The German added: “That is what I demand from a young player, what I want to see from them. If he is doing that, he has a big chance to be a big player for us."]
Here are some of the reactions from Brighton fans on X, after the line-up was announced:
herb_ietaylor: “Now that I wasn’t expecting.”
@connoronthisapp: “Another mystery injury!”
@emilyedie07: “howell x babis i’m here for it.”
@th3tru3r3z: “Such a bold lineup by Fabian.”
@catprediction: “That’s a proper Brighton XI. Balance, energy, and plenty of threat between the lines. Palace will have to be sharp from minute one.”
@ActofLoveMusic: “No Veltman, no Minteh. Vulnerable on the flanks.”
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Dunk, Boscagi, De Cuyper, Baleba, Gross, Howell, Rutter, Mitoma, Kostoulas
Subs: Steele, Igor, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Welbeck, Milner, Gomez, O'Riley, Veltman.
Continue Reading