Sussex

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

How Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler views his side's performance will largely depend on which half he is analysing.

After thrashing Aston Villa 4-0 at the Amex on the opening weekend of the season, the Seagulls were expected to make a lightning-quick start on home soil once again.

But that was not the case. In fact, it was a similarly sluggish start to the one Brighton made at Chelsea six days ago, as they found themselves a goal down within the first 15 minutes of the match.

The fact that Hurzeler's side have not won a Premier League fixture when falling behind for almost 10 months highlighted the size of the task facing his side, who were sloppy both in and out of possession.

But once the home side struck an equaliser, there only seemed likely to be one winner.

And by the time Pascal Gross fired over from only a couple of yards out in the final seconds of normal time, there was a feeling of frustration at the Amex that Brighton had missed the opportunity to end their unwanted Premier League streak.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Today we had a lack of energy, lack of intensity, but showed another face in the second half and could have won the game. It has cost us energy to chase the game. We need to be at the highest level from the start and need to find solutions for that.

"Every second phase, every second ball landed for a Leeds player. That's what we changed in the second half and we were a better team. We don't need long to change a game. We had plenty of chances, but it's all about fighting for the clean sheet and being better.

"Our start to the season can be better, can be worse. There were positives today but also things to improve."

On Luka Vuskovic's performance: "I think he needs this time to adapt but he has the physicality to do this. He is young and needs time to improve and then he can be a top player."

Brighton defender Luka Vuskovic, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I am happy to help the team a little bit but we are not happy because we woke up too late.

"We started slow, we lost a lot of balls. We need to start from the first second. It's not a worry - it's the beginning of the season. We are a young team and need to find solutions. It will be a lot better.

"We need to wake up from the first second. Play from minute one through to the end. We never give up and that's one of our strengths, but we need to rely on our strengths from the first second."

Listen to Hurzeler speak to BBC Radio Sussex here

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Have your say on Brighton's performance

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There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Newcastle v Bournemouth (12:30)

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Brighton v Leeds

• Fulham v Crystal Palace

• Man City v Coventry - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Hull v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

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I am not really sure what to make of Brighton yet. They smashed Aston Villa on the opening weekend but then lost to Chelsea despite dominating possession in what was a really strange game.

Leeds can be quite cagey on the road under Daniel Farke, but they are very good at what they do, and they will be a threat on the break.

I am still going with Brighton to win because they are playing with freedom at the moment, but I don't see them keeping a clean sheet and this is going to be close.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

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