Fabian Hurzeler hailed Brighton & Hove Albion’s collective defensive effort after his side finally ended their long wait for a clean sheet in the Premier League. The Seagulls defeated Leeds United 3–0 at the Amex Stadium on 1 November 2025, thanks to Danny Welbeck’s sixth goal in five league games and a Diego Gomez brace — but for Hurzeler, the real victory came at the other end.
“It’s a very important one,” the Brighton head coach said post-match. “Everyone needs to understand what work we have to invest to keep the clean sheet. It’s not only the goalkeeper or the defenders — it starts with the strikers, it continues with the midfielders. Therefore we all have to do the job.”
The result marked Brighton’s first league clean sheet in 22 matches, breaking a run stretching back to early spring.
Brighton Find Balance After Leaky Start
Under Hurzeler, Brighton have retained their attacking flair — their 17 goals rank fourth-best in the division, behind only Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea (all 18). But defensive vulnerability has been the Achilles’ heel, with 15 goals conceded — more than any other top-half side except Manchester United (16).
Saturday’s disciplined performance offered evidence that Brighton can combine attacking expression with defensive structure. The back four stayed compact, the midfield pressed intelligently, and forwards like Welbeck and Gomez tracked back to close down passing lanes.
Hurzeler’s Message: “We Have to Stay Alive”
The 31-year-old coach said he had emphasised one key mantra to his players before the match: constant alertness.
“It was one of the main messages today that we have to be alive for 90 minutes — that we can’t rest in any phase of the game. When it’s a throw-in, we have to be switched on; when it’s a free kick, we have to be switched on; when it’s a counter-press, we have to be switched on. So you always have to stay alive, and if we do this then we can defend quite well.” — Fabian Hurzeler, post-match press conference
That message was reflected in the intensity of Brighton’s performance. The team won more duels, pressed more effectively, and limited Leeds to just two shots on target.
Our View: A Turning Point for Hurzeler’s Brighton
In our view, this clean sheet may prove more symbolic than statistical. It represents the moment Hurzeler’s ideas start to take full effect — collective defending, structured pressing, and total concentration. Brighton’s young manager has repeatedly spoken about “maturity” and “mentality”, and Saturday’s display finally showed both.
If the Seagulls can maintain this defensive edge while continuing to score freely, a push for European qualification could yet be back on the table. Welbeck’s form, Gomez’s emergence, and a renewed sense of tactical discipline all point towards a team rediscovering equilibrium.
Key Insights
- First clean sheet: Brighton’s first in 22 league games under Hurzeler.
- Goals shared: Welbeck scored again; Gomez added a brace.
- Defensive message: Hurzeler urged players to “stay alive” for 90 minutes.
- Attacking strength: Brighton’s 17 goals rank fourth in the Premier League.
- Turning point: A balance between style and structure finally emerging.
What’s Next
Brighton next face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park before returning home to play Brentford. Hurzeler will hope his side can build on their first clean sheet of the season and keep momentum alive in their climb up the table.
👉 Brighton fans — do you think Hurzeler’s message of “staying alive” can finally fix the defensive issues that have held the team back?
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