With eight games played in the current Premier League season, Brighton & Hove Albion sit third in the table, behind only Manchester City and Arsenal. The Seagulls have scored an impressive 23 goals, the highest total in the division, while their seven goals conceded have been bettered only by the Gunners (five) and Leeds United (six).

A flying start to the season

Over the space of three days this week, Fabian Hurzeler will lead Brighton into two challenging encounters against Manchester City, managed by Enzo Maresca. The first meeting comes in the Carabao Cup, followed by a Premier League clash, with both matches taking place at the Etihad Stadium.

Although October is still early in the campaign, these fixtures could provide a clearer indication of whether the Seagulls can maintain their outstanding form and establish themselves as genuine contenders.

Brighton have struggled to find the net in their last two outings, suffering a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool before drawing 0-0 with Jablonec in the Conference League. However, their earlier performances have demonstrated their attacking potential.

They recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over Arsenal, scored five goals against both Crystal Palace and Coventry City, and produced a remarkable comeback against Manchester United, overturning a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-2 win at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup.

The Seagulls also scored three times against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, although they eventually suffered a thrilling 4-3 defeat.

It has been an eventful start to the 2026/27 season, but Brighton have thoroughly earned their place among the Premier League’s leading sides.

Continued progress under Hurzeler

Since arriving in the summer of 2024, Fabian Hurzeler has continued to develop Brighton’s identity, building on the attacking philosophy established by former manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The team’s approach revolves around aggressive, forward-thinking football, playing out from the back and exploiting space in wide areas. Similar to the philosophy associated with Pep Guardiola, Hurzeler prioritises possession, intelligent movement and creating numerical advantages across the pitch.

This approach requires technical quality throughout the squad, from the goalkeeper to the forwards, allowing Brighton to maintain their style against even the strongest opponents.

Off the pitch, owner Tony Bloom has played a crucial role in establishing Brighton as a stable and competitive Premier League club. Considering the club came close to going out of business in 1997, their transformation has been remarkable.

While Bloom has helped build a strong foundation, Hurzeler’s work on the training ground is allowing the team to take another significant step forward.

Smart recruitment offsets major departures

At just 33 years old, Hurzeler has demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level, with his team’s performances increasingly silencing questions about his age.

Much of Brighton’s success also reflects the quality of their recruitment strategy. The club’s scouting department has consistently identified players who suit their tactical system while offering long-term value.

Although Brighton reportedly invested €54 million to sign Luka Vuskovic, other acquisitions, including Costinha for €13 million and Pascal Struijk for €23 million, highlight their ability to identify potentially valuable additions.

Their continued progress is particularly impressive given the departures of influential players such as Carlos Baleba and Jan Paul van Hecke. The club have also lost the experience of Danny Welbeck and Joel Veltman, among others.

Rather than allowing these departures to derail their progress, Brighton have continued to assemble a competitive squad capable of adapting to new challenges.

A hungry and determined squad

Brighton’s impressive start highlights the effectiveness of their wider footballing structure, from ownership and recruitment to coaching and player development.

Clubs seeking a blueprint for sustainable success in the Premier League, particularly those recently promoted from the Championship, could learn valuable lessons from Brighton’s approach. Long-term planning, intelligent recruitment and a clear playing philosophy have helped establish the AMEX Stadium as a difficult destination for visiting teams.

There is still a long way to go this season, but the Seagulls appear to have developed something special. The experiences of the past 12 to 24 months seem to have helped Hurzeler and his coaching staff refine their methods and make better use of their resources.

Defeats are inevitable, as their recent loss to Liverpool demonstrated. Nevertheless, Brighton have shown that they can compete with elite opposition, and their opponents will have to work hard to take points away from them.

With a squad full of ambitious players competing for starting places, the Seagulls possess the hunger and determination needed to maintain their progress.

Brighton are no longer content simply to compete with the Premier League’s biggest clubs. They are increasingly confident in their ability to challenge them, and their impressive start suggests that the rest of the division should take notice.

Watch this space.