Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler reflected on the areas his team faltered in following their inaugural loss of the season. The scoreline highlighted by Cole Palmer’s four goals, coupled with missed opportunities, painted a bleak first half for Albion against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Employing a high defensive line, Brighton found themselves repeatedly breached by Chelsea’s attacks, narrowly escaping a more substantial deficit. Though managing to net two goals in the initial period, including a strike by Georginio Rutter, the team regrouped in the second half to limit the final score to 4-2.
Speaking to the BBC, Hurzeler acknowledged the necessity of a stronger on-field connection among his players that was lacking in the match. He emphasized the ongoing improvement required from his role as head coach to rectify such shortcomings.
While disappointed by the conceded goals, Hurzeler found positives in Brighton’s attempts to create chances, despite Chelsea’s solid defensive display. Recognizing the need for better luck and cohesion, he conceded that it simply wasn’t their day and the defeat was arguably deserved.
Hurzeler stressed the collective responsibility shared by the team in both victories and losses, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a stable structure to avoid similar breakdowns in the future. Reflecting on the uniqueness of players like Cole Palmer, he highlighted the challenges posed by such exceptional talents in the Premier League.