Sussex

Image source, PA Media

It's been a busy start to the 2026-27 campaign for Brighton and Fabian Hurzeler must now begin to prepare for a packed schedule of domestic and European football.

Although the Seagulls will wait until October for their Conference League league phase to start, Hurzeler's side has endured a flurry of mixed results in their opening five games of the season.

After a bruising 4-3 loss at Stamford Bridge to transfer-foes Chelsea, Brighton were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds.

Former Seagulls midfielder Warren Aspinall told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast Leeds "should have scored more" when they were dominating the early stages of the game.

"We always say when teams are on top, punish the opposition. We got going in the last half an hour, and we were the better team," said Aspinall.

Brighton had a stronghold of 67.1% possession throughout the game, and attempted a total of 522 passes compared to Leeds' 252.

Aspinall added: "I don't think it is possession, it is the energy, then move the ball with a purpose instead of going sideways and back. You're never going to hurt anybody doing that."

A Luka Vuskovic goal salvaged a point for Brighton and the equaliser will be deemed extremely valuable as Hurzeler's side have the most injuries of any Premier League team at this stage of the season.

As it stands, Brighton have 10 players ruled out by injury, with the likes of Georginio Rutter, Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma all unavailable.

Listen to Albion Unlimited below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

The team on Albion Unlimited analyse the draw against Leeds, while French football expert Luke Entwhistle gives a profile of what's to come against Monaco.

There's also plenty of talk about facing Coventry in a key fixture this weekend.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen says Luka Vuskovic "is a massive talent" for his age and will "hopefully continue to improve" while at the club.

Croatia defender Vuskovic signed from Tottenham in the summer for a club record £46m.

He headed in his first goal in English football on Saturday as the Seagulls drew 1-1 with Leeds United at Amex Stadium.

"He is a big guy so he is a threat in the air and he can head the ball well," Verbruggen told BBC Radio Sussex. "Everyone can see his ability and he's a massive talent.

"To come here as a 19-year-old with the expectation because of his price tag, the way he behaves in the building and on the training pitch is outstanding.

"He's impressive so hopefully he can continue to improve for us and deliver these performances. He's very solid and mature.

"I'm happy that he's here and now it's about trying to get to the next level."

Listen to the full clip below or on BBC Sounds here

Crawley Town boss Colin Kazim-Richards says the 3-2 defeat at Accrington on Saturday was down to the team "switching off".

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, he said: "I'm very disappointed because I know what they can do, I know how we train, I know the details that are put into it, [and] being prepared in terms of looking at what teams do and what to expect.

"We switched off in moments, and that's how Accrington have got the three points, and deserved it in my mind because of the nous they had to go and win the game.

"We beat ourselves. That's how teams like that are going to beat us. They're not going to beat us by outplaying or outthinking [us], when we're in possession. Outthinking [us] when we're out of possession? Maybe, at this moment in time.

"We give a lot of teams a lot of problems. But we have to switch on to the other moments.

"I said to them at half-time, 'If that's the best they've got, don't switch off because you will be disappointed when we come back in.'"

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Leeds United.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Bob: It was a very slow start. Giving away possession and conceding an early goal showed the need to tighten up and keep the ball. The second half showed our potential. We missed a few chances but we are a young team and will learn from our mistakes.

Steve: Hard to explain such a transformation in attitude and performance, from a most inept first half to a totally dominant second. If we find a way to play for 90 minutes, we could be top six.

Jon: Terrible first half, better second half. It was again a case of Hurzeler putting square pegs in round holes, why the heck does he do this? Costinha looked sharp when he came on at right back. We had proper wingers available but the manager persists in finding somewhere for his favourites to play. He needs to learn, this is not all about him, and play players in the correct positions.

Jack: Very sloppy start from us by conceding the early goal. The second half was much better as we got a goal to make a draw. I hope we learn from this match that our signings need to step up fast before we play against Coventry because all our key players are injured.

Leeds United fans

Risey: Tanaka was outstanding today. Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line very well against two strong central defenders. Overall a great team performance. It's a shame to not be travelling back with three points but heads should be held high as it is never an easy place to go for any team.

Billy: Maybe we should have put the game to bed in the opening half but to focus on the positives, if we were offered a point prior to the game, most would have taken it. Nice to see Jayden Boyle up his game after a disappointing performance against Brentford. Two home games against Newcastle and Crystal Palace before the international break. We should be targeting at least four, if not all six points.

David: Before the match I would have accepted a point but we should have won after the first-half display - so many missed chances. The Seagulls are a good team but obviously missing key players.

Chris: A great display but the number of good chances to score, missed by numerous players, highlights the fact that we all know. Leeds need a striker with a killer instinct, or maybe they should spend a couple of hours after training practicing scoring goals!

Image source, Getty Images

Luka Vuskovic says Brighton must "work better" to ensure they do not need to fight back in games to earn points.

The club record summer signing from Tottenham headed home his first goal for the Seagulls to equalise late on in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Leeds United.

"It was not so satisfying because we didn't win the game but at least I can be a little bit happy as I helped the team to get one point," Vuskovic told BBC Radio Sussex.

"We need to work better because we didn't start like we know how to. The second half was a lot better.

"We have to find solutions, as the gaffer has said in the dressing room. We will find them, we will fix it, and next game we will be better.

"We never give up but that is the second part and we need to start from the first part and be at it and rely on ourselves from the first second."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds