Adam MacDonald previews Everton vs Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday 24th August.Brighton & Hove Albion head to Merseyside this Sunday looking to make history as they take on Everton at the Toffees’ brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium. Kick-off is at 2pm, and Albion fans will be eager to see whether their side can spoil Everton’s big day by grabbing all three points in the Premier League.Fabian Hurzeler has given an important team news update ahead of the game. Jack Hinshelwood has trained fully this week and is back in contention, while Carlos Baleba is edging closer to full fitness after several weeks out. The midfielder isn’t quite ready for 90 minutes yet, but Hurzeler confirmed he could feature. Solly March and Adam Webster remain unavailable, but otherwise Brighton travel with a strong squad.Everton, managed by David Moyes, are already under pressure after a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Leeds United on the opening weekend. The Toffees conceded 21 shots in that match, raising concerns about their defence, and their recent record in home openers doesn’t inspire confidence. They have lost their first Premier League home game in each of the last three seasons, including a 3-0 defeat to Brighton at Goodison Park just last year.The head-to-head record is encouraging for Seagulls supporters. After losing their first four league trips to Everton, Brighton are now unbeaten in their last four visits, winning three. They ended the 2024/25 campaign with back-to-back away victories, and another win on Sunday would make it three on the bounce for the first time since January 2023 – when, coincidentally, the third win also came away at Everton.Key players to watch include Maxim De Cuyper, Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh and Jan Paul van Hecke, who ALL impressed against Fulham on the opening day. Van Hecke’s ability to break opposition lines with his passing will be crucial in finding space against Everton’s defence. Up front, Danny Welbeck has an outstanding record against the Toffees, with five goals and five assists in 18 appearances. He has also scored in his last two away starts at Goodison Park, making him a real threat once again.Brighton fans searching for Everton v Brighton preview, Brighton team news, or Premier League predictions will be keeping a close eye on this one – a chance for the Seagulls to shine on a historic afternoon at Everton’s new stadium.Contact: [email protected]

Adam MacDonald from Seagulls Central takes a look at the role of Matt O'Riley in the Brighton and Hove Albion squad.

As the 2025/26 Premier League season gets underway, Matt O’Riley is entering a pivotal season at Brighton & Hove Albion under the guidance of head coach Fabian Hürzeler. After a challenging debut campaign marred by injury, O’Riley is eager to establish himself as a key figure in Brighton's midfield.

In the opening Premier League match against Fulham on August 16th, O’Riley scored a penalty, showcasing his readiness to contribute. However, his performance wasn't an overwhelming answer to many questions that some Brighton fans have around the midfielder. Despite this, O’Riley has featured prominently in pre-season, indicating Hürzeler's trust in his abilities.

O’Riley's future at Brighton has been subject to speculation this summer. Reports have linked him with a potential move to Juventus, with personal terms reportedly agreed upon. Nonetheless, O’Riley has expressed his commitment to Brighton, stating he is "very happy here" and "having fun," suggesting he intends to remain at the club.

The tactical approach under Hürzeler, who favours a 3-4-3 formation, could provide O’Riley with the platform to excel. His vision and technical skills are well-suited to a central attacking midfield role, potentially allowing him to operate as a number 10. This position would enable him to link play effectively and contribute to Brighton's offensive strategies.

For Brighton supporters and those interested in O’Riley's development, monitoring his performances this season will be crucial. Key matches, such as the upcoming fixtures against top-tier teams, will provide further insight into his integration into Hürzeler's system and his potential to become a mainstay in Brighton's midfield.

For highlights and analysis, fans can search for terms like "Matt O’Riley Brighton highlights 2025" or "Brighton vs Fulham August 2025" on platforms like YouTube.

Contact: [email protected]

#bhafc#bha#mitoma#kaorumitoma#bha#brighton#premierleague #japan #minteh#kadioglu #hurzeler #epl #pl #premierleague

Brighton’s opening match of the Premier League 2 season against West Bromwich Albion offered supporters their first real glimpse of first-team summer signings Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos “Babis” Kostoulas in blue and white. The Greek duo came off the bench just after the hour mark in Lancing, introduced together in a double substitution that drew plenty of attention from watching fans. Neither scored in the 4–0 victory, but both were involved in the action: Kostoulas had a hand in the third goal with a shot that led to Callum Mackley’s finish, while Tzimas showed his direct running late on, winning the penalty that allowed Shane Nti to complete his hat-trick. For Brighton supporters eager for updates, this was an encouraging start, a sign that both players are already adjusting to the physicality and pace of English football.That cameo also set the stage for the season ahead. Brighton invested heavily this summer in reshaping their forward line, and the arrivals of Tzimas and Kostoulas are central to that plan. Tzimas, just 19, joined from Nürnberg in February before finishing last season back on loan in Germany, where he hit double figures in the 2. Bundesliga. His scoring instincts and clever movement have already earned him the number nine shirt at the Amex, underlining the club’s belief that he can grow into a leading striker in the Premier League.Kostoulas, meanwhile, was brought in from Olympiacos for a club-record fee for a Greek player, a deal that also made him the most expensive Greek footballer in history. Still only 18, he arrives with pedigree, having impressed in senior football with Olympiacos while also shining in the UEFA Youth League. Strong in the air, technically gifted and full of confidence, he looks every inch the long-term project that Brighton’s recruitment team specialise in finding. His first touches in Premier League 2 hinted at both his strength and his willingness to put himself about, qualities that should serve him well as he adapts to English football.For Brighton fans looking ahead to the 2025/26 campaign, the message is clear: the Seagulls have secured two of Europe’s brightest young forwards. In the short term, Tzimas is likely to feature more prominently in Hürzeler’s senior squad as he transitions into the Premier League, while Kostoulas may be eased in more gradually, splitting time between the U21s and the first team. But both will be ones to watch this season, not just in The AMEX stands but also across Premier League highlights, Brighton transfer updates and YouTube clips showcasing the club’s exciting new Greek duo.Contact: [email protected]#bhafc#bha#mitoma#kaorumitoma#bha#brighton#premierleague #japan #minteh#kadioglu #hurzeler #epl #pl #premierleague

Brighton and Hove Albion kicked off their Premier League season at The AMEX Stadium with drama, as Fabian Hürzeler’s side were denied a fifth consecutive opening-day victory. In front of nearly 32,000 Albion fans, the Seagulls looked set to celebrate another Premier League win when Matt O’Riley scored a confident penalty, only for a last-gasp equaliser to spoil the party.The Premier League match showcased plenty of positives for Brighton & Hove Albion supporters searching for Brighton highlights and Brighton goals on YouTube. New signing Maxim De Cuyper impressed on his Premier League debut, while Kaoru Mitoma looked sharp on the left, linking well with Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter. Mitoma’s first-half header came close, and Minteh nearly added to Brighton’s lead in the second half after combining brilliantly with the Japanese star.Brighton’s breakthrough came on 55 minutes. Rutter drove into the box before being brought down. Referee Sam Barrott awarded the penalty, and O’Riley finished with aplomb, slotting home the first Brighton goal of the season. The Amex Stadium erupted as Brighton & Hove Albion took control of the Premier League opener.The Seagulls continued to dominate, with captain Lewis Dunk going close from a corner and midfielder Diego Gomez forcing a strong save. Bart Verbruggen, Brighton’s first-choice goalkeeper, remained largely untroubled until stoppage time. But with the match seconds from full-time, a late Fulham corner crept through the Brighton defence, allowing the visitors to level the score against the run of play.Despite the frustrating finale, Brighton & Hove Albion fans will take encouragement from strong performances across the pitch. The Premier League debut of De Cuyper, the return of Carlos Baleba amid speculation around interest from Manchester United, the creativity of Mitoma, the leadership of Dunk, and the confident penalty from O’Riley all point to another exciting Brighton season in the Premier League.

Adam MacDonald from Seagulls Central analyses Lewis Dunk's future with Brighton and Hove Albion.Dunk has been the heart of the Seagulls’ defence for over a decade. Since making his debut in 2010, the Brighton-born centre-back has led the club from the Championship into the Premier League, helped secure European qualification, and captained the squad to its highest-ever finishes.Dunk, now 33, is entering the 2025/26 Premier League season still wearing the armband, but there are questions among Brighton fans about how long he can remain a first choice player in Fabian Hürzeler’s high-line defensive system.With Brighton competing in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup this season, defensive pace is crucial in Hürzeler's ideal system. Dunk’s experience, leadership, and aerial dominance are excellent, but his declining speed has raised concerns when facing top-flight forwards from clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United. In a high-press style, quick recovery runs are vital - something Brighton’s recruitment has clearly targeted.The arrival of Italy under-21s international Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona and PSV Eindhoven defender Olivier Boscagli shows Brighton are future-proofing their defence. Alongside Jan Paul van Hecke, these new signings could form the next-generation backline, with Dunk offering mentorship, tactical organisation, and big-match know-how. Fans searching for “Brighton new defenders 2025”, “Lewis Dunk vs Coppola”, or “Boscagli Brighton debut” will be tracking how this transition unfolds.Brighton’s 2025/26 squad is strong across the pitch. In midfield, Carlos Baleba, Diego Gomez, and Yasin Ayari provide energy and creativity. On the wings, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh remain key threats in the Premier League and potentially in the Europa League if Brighton qualify again. Up front, Greek forwards Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas add depth alongside teenage talent Tommy Watson, replacing the goals lost after João Pedro’s move to Chelsea.Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen will be crucial in building from the back, fitting perfectly into Hürzeler’s tactical style. Brighton fans searching “Brighton 2025/26 tactics” and “Brighton highlights” will want to see how the Seagulls adapt this season.Dunk’s future may not be as an automatic starter every week, but as a club legend, leader, and symbol of Brighton’s rise from the lower leagues to established Premier League contenders, his influence is still as important as ever.

Adam MacDonald from Seagulls Central analyses both of Brighton & Hove Albion’s pre-season victories over VfL Wolfsburg as the Seagulls concluded their summer preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League season unbeaten.Brighton & Hove Albion enjoyed a perfect end to pre-season with two wins in one day against Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. In the behind-closed-doors match at the Lancing training ground, Albion recorded a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Brajan Gruda and Jeremy Sarmiento. Joel Veltman, Facundo Buonanotte, Ferdi Kadioglu and new striker Stefanos Tzimas all got valuable minutes, while Jason Steele kept a clean sheet.Later that day, in front of a lively crowd at the American Express Stadium, Brighton claimed a 2-1 win in their final friendly before the Premier League kicks off. Georginio Rutter, the club’s record signing, opened the scoring in the 17th minute after linking up with Yasin Ayari, slotting a precise finish into the bottom left corner. The French forward caused constant problems for Wolfsburg’s defence, and after the match spoke about his growing relationship on the pitch with Matt O’Riley, who played in the no. 10.The second goal came from Belgian left-back Maxim De Cuyper, making his Amex debut after signing from Club Brugge. De Cuyper showed composure to score from a tight angle in the 73rd minute after Mats Wieffer’s cross was parried into his path. Earlier, he had already won the crowd over with a clever drag back and turn in front of the West Lower. Head coach Fabian Hurzeler praised his “natural” integration into the squad, saying he has rarely seen a player settle so easily on a human level, and that his understanding with team-mates is already visible on the pitch.Bart Verbruggen, returning from a knee injury, made several key saves, including a superb one-on-one stop from Lovro Majer and a late smother to deny Kilian Fischer. Although Rogerio’s angled strike slipped through him for Wolfsburg’s goal in the 80th minute, the Dutch international looked sharp and on his way to becoming ready for competitive action.With Brighton & Hove Albion finishing pre-season unbeaten - winning five out of six games and scoring 13 goals - optimism is high ahead of the Premier League 2025/26 season. Hurzeler’s attacking style, the form of Rutter, De Cuyper and Verbruggen, and depth provided by players such as Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh and Diego Gomez will all be key.Next up, Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham at the Amex - the first chance to see if pre-season momentum can translate into Premier League points. Fans searching for Brighton match highlights, Brighton goals, Hurzeler tactics, Rutter goals and De Cuyper debut moments will be watching closely.

Adam MacDonald from Seagulls Central reviews Brighton’s 2-2 draw with Southampton in pre-season.Brighton remain unbeaten in pre-season after an eventful 2-2 draw against Southampton at St Mary’s, with Yankuba Minteh once again proving the standout performer. The Gambian winger struck twice - once in each half - with two composed finishes that showcased his growing confidence under new head coach Fabian Hürzeler.Albion started brightly, with early chances falling to Diego Gomez and Mats Wieffer, both denied by a sharp Gavin Bazunu in goal for the Saints. Minteh opened the scoring on 25 minutes after slick interplay between Lewis Dunk, Max De Cuyper and Georginio Rutter. He doubled his tally after the break with a carbon-copy strike inside the far post, again linking up well with Matt O’Riley and Yasin Ayari.Brighton looked to be in control until Southampton hit back with two quick goals. A deflected effort from Jay Robinson halved the deficit before Adam Armstrong equalised from the spot after a debatable penalty decision against the Albion. Jason Steele guessed correctly but couldn’t keep it out.Despite the draw, there were positives for Brighton as pre-season nears its end. Rutter’s movement, De Cuyper's sharpness, Ayari's composure and Minteh’s directness were all encouraging signs ahead of the new campaign. However, there was no Carlos Baleba due to injury concerns, and new signings Charalampos Kostoulas, Stefanos Tzimas, and Tommy Watson were again absent due to fitness issues — still waiting for their first minutes in an Albion shirt.The 2025/26 season edges closer, and this performance offered glimpses of what’s to come. Albion finish pre-season next weekend against Wolfsburg at The AMEX, where fans will see a very strong side and perhaps the first look at some more of the club’s summer recruits.

Adam MacDonald from Seagulls Central reacts to Brighton and Hove Albion's new squad numbers for the 2025/26 season.Brighton and Hove Albion have confirmed their official squad numbers for the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League season, unveiling several changes and exciting updates as the Seagulls prepare for another campaign in the English top flight. With the club’s eyes firmly set on building upon recent success, fans of Brighton and Hove Albion will be eager to see new signings and familiar faces don fresh numbers in the famous blue and white stripes.Among the most notable squad number changes for Brighton and Hove Albion this season, Jan Paul van Hecke has switched to number 6, taking over a classic centre-back number. Georginio Rutter, the dynamic attacking forward, now wears the number 10 shirt — a clear signal of his importance in Brighton’s creative setup under manager Fabian Hürzeler. New wide-man Yankuba Minteh has taken the iconic number 11, while young talent Jack Hinshelwood steps up with the number 13.Veteran James Milner, still a crucial presence in the Brighton and Hove Albion midfield, takes the number 20 shirt, and Carlos Baleba has moved to number 17, marking his growing influence in the side.The Brighton and Hove Albion transfer news has been buzzing this summer, and new arrivals also bring fresh numbers: Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas claims number 9, while highly rated academy graduate Tommy Watson is assigned number 14. Charalampos Kostoulas takes number 19, Olivier Boscagli wears 21, and Maxim De Cuyper dons 29. Defender Diego Coppola, another shrewd signing, will wear number 42.As Brighton and Hove Albion prepare to face Southampton in Saturday’s pre-season friendly, this updated squad list offers a glimpse into the club's evolving identity. With strong squad depth, new signings, and an ambitious project ahead, the Seagulls look poised for another competitive Premier League season in 2025/26.

Adam MacDonald from Seagulls Central reacts to the news that Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is refusing to sign a new contract with the club.

In a major development for Brighton & Hove Albion, centre‑back Jan Paul van Hecke, aged 25, has refused to extend his contract, opting instead to pursue a top‑tier Premier League move that involves Champions League football. The Dutch international, under contract until 2027, has turned down the club’s offer - reportedly to make him the highest‑paid player in Brighton history - as he feels the Seagulls cannot fulfil his ambition of playing at Europe’s elite level.

According to reports from Voetbal International, Van Hecke received multiple offers from the Albion, but has made clear he will not renew. Clubs such as Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have already registered interest, with Newcastle said to have made an approach this week.

According to the Voetbal International report, Brighton value Van Hecke at around €50 million (£43‑44 million), with NAC Breda, his former club, set to receive 7.5% of any future transfer fee through a sell‑on clause negotiated in 2020.

Since joining Brighton in September 2020 from NAC Breda for around £2.5 million, Van Hecke has cemented his role as a first‑choice defender through loan spells at SC Heerenveen (2020‑21) and Blackburn Rovers (2021‑22), before becoming a fixture in both Roberto De Zerbi and Fabian Hürzeler's defence across the last two seasons. His breakthrough in the Premier League and emergence as a Netherlands international have certainly elevated his transfer appeal.

Brighton’s strategy has consistently featured buying young talent and selling at peak value, and Van Hecke fits that blueprint perfectly. With under two years left on his contract, Albion may risk depreciating his value unless they sell now. Although he’s not forcing a move, his refusal to extend means Brighton could be forced act quickly to maximise return.

Van Hecke joined Brighton & Hove Albion at age 20 in the summer of 2020 from NAC Breda, and was immediately loaned out to gain experience. He spent 2020–21 at Heerenveen and 2021–22 at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, before becoming a first‑choice centre‑back under Roberto De Zerbi from the 2022–23 season. Over three seasons he has made over 70 Premier League appearances and earned his debut for the Netherlands national team.

During that time, Van Hecke has been integral to Brighton’s defensive stability and ball‑playing style - comfortable with both aerial duels and playing from the back, aligned with Albion’s tactical philosophy. His growth underlines Brighton’s recruitment and development model, turning a £2.5m signing into a transfer asset valued £50m+. That journey showcases Van Hecke’s evolution into a commanding, Champions League‑level defender, central to Brighton’s success and now a key figure in the Seagulls’ potential summer sales along the south coast.

Adam MacDonald from Seagulls Central reacts to viewers and listeners opinions about Brighton and Hove Albion ahead of the 2025/26 season.