Fabian Hürzeler explains late subs after Brighton drop points vs Everton

Fabian Hürzeler has admitted Brighton must improve their game management after conceding a late equaliser in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Everton at the Amex Stadium.

The Albion head coach highlighted missed “key moments” and explained his late substitutions as Brighton’s winless Premier League run extended to 10 matches.

Brighton looked on course for victory after Pascal Groß put the hosts ahead, finishing a smart move sparked by substitute Charalampos Koustoulas, who had replaced Danny Welbeck.

However, Everton struck in the dying seconds, capitalising on loose defending and Brighton’s inability to retain possession.

“I think we showed another good performance,” Hürzeler said.
“But in the end, we have to manage the key moments better.

“In one moment, we weren’t alive, we didn’t manage it well, and this cost us the game.”

Despite the disappointment, Hürzeler insisted Brighton remain close to turning performances into results, even with just one win in their last 11 league games.

“We are close. We are getting where we want,” he explained.
“But the key bits are the most important in football — that you defend until the end of the game, that you manage the game well until the end.

“We weren’t able to do this in this game. So it feels painful, but we will overcome this phase and we will go again.”

Hürzeler also clarified his thinking behind the late changes, including withdrawing Groß a minute from time and introducing James Milner.

“I think Pascal was good in the game and therefore we wanted to have Pascal on the pitch,” he said.
“Of course, in the end, in additional time, we changed because we wanted to waste a little bit of time.”

The move ultimately failed to prevent Everton’s equaliser in a chaotic final passage.

Hürzeler confirmed Jack Hinshelwood was not an option from the bench due to illness, limiting Brighton’s late-game alternatives.

Having followed Brighton closely in recent weeks, the pattern has become familiar: controlled spells, encouraging structure, but costly lapses at decisive moments.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about Hürzeler’s long-term impact, with performances still suggesting progress beneath the results.

Brighton now face another crucial stretch as they look to translate performances into points. Improving concentration in late-game situations will be central if they are to arrest their slide and re-establish momentum in the Premier League.

Are Brighton one adjustment away from turning draws into wins — or is this a deeper problem?