Brighton & Hove Albion

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Here's my quick assessment of Brighton's Premier League season - and a return to my August predictions.

Pre-season prediction: 12th

Ended the season: 8th

A solid season with plenty of promise under 32-year-old head coach Fabian Hurzeler, with hopes of Europe maintained until the final day, when they won 4-1 at Tottenham but ultimately missed out.

Brighton continue to be enterprising and easy on the eye with their intense style, and this campaign was another example of how far this well-run club has come.

There is usually transfer activity at Amex Stadium, and Brighton will once again have other clubs eyeing outstanding attacking talent such as Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma. History tells us they will be prepared for such eventualities.

What I said in August: "This may not be the top-six season of a couple of years back but Brighton are always so watchable, and will be again."

Read my assessments of the other 19 teams here

Newcastle have a serious interest in Brighton forward Joao Pedro. (i Paper - subscription needed, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Laura Kenyon
Final Score reporter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

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Fabian Hurzeler's first season at Brighton is a story that has perhaps gone under the radar.

The youngest permanent head coach in Premier League history when appointed aged 31. He has taken his side to the brink of European qualification, something that has only been done once in the club's history.

When scores elsewhere filtered through to the away fans at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, shattering the European dream, the togetherness and team spirit on the pitch was unquestionable.

This was another second-half masterclass. They have been the comeback kings in the top flight this season, shocking the likes of Liverpool along the way.

The Brighton boss its consistency needs to improve next season but, with a promising first season under his belt, the 'Hurzeler era' is well under way.

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We asked for your thoughts after Brighton's convincing 4-1 away win at Tottenham spoiled the hosts' Europa League party on the final day of the Premier League season.

Here are some of your replies:

Baltos: Great win! However the Seagulls' form over the winter came back to bite us. Chance to dream for next season, providing Brighton hold on to their current players and strengthen the squad, especially in attack. The glass is always half full...

Ella: I would have loved to see us get European football, but I'm not too disappointed. Let's focus on the league next season. Our squad is looking strong and maybe, just maybe, there is a Champions League place for us? Especially as Manchester City may or may not lose a hefty amount of points. All in all, a good season. We only lost nine games, the same as City and Chelsea!

Paul: For Brighton to finish eighth with a young and inexperienced manager, in Premier League , and an exciting group of young players - surely most ers are delighted. Now we have to learn how to beat teams who park the bus. I'm already looking forward to next season, despite no European adventure.

Richard: A very good season overall, but where might we have been had we not dropped points from winning positions against sides in the bottom third of the table and even in the relegation positions? I think second or third would have been possible!

Charlie: Although we didn't make Europe, a season of great improvement and promise for the future was played, especially under a completely new manager. A brilliant effort throughout the season and, despite the ups and downs, we seem to have found a bit of rhythm which we can hopefully carry through to the 2025-26 campaign. I wholeheartedly believe that with some slight changes and improvements, Europe is fully attainable. Up the Albion!

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's 10 final day Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea

• Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

• Wolves 1-1 Brentford

Arsenal have ed Bayern Munich in the race to sign Brighton's 28-year-old Japan midfielder Kaoru Mitoma. (Sky , external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood has been speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about the 4-1 win over Tottenham on the final day of the season: "It was really nice. As a team, we were a bit disappointed with the first half. We didn't show as much energy and intensity as we like, but in the second half we really came out. We got the four goals.

"I think we have ended a really positive season in a positive way."

On playing more of an attacking role: "I knew I was going to play further forward during the first half and I tried to be as busy as I could. I'm always alive in the box - it's something that I've always liked to do in my game.

"Today I've got to give credit to the set piece coach, Jonas [Scheuermann], he gave me a specific role from the set-piece, two balls fell to my feet and I managed to put them into the back of the net. So all credit to him as well."

On not taking the penalty for his hat-trick: "I know what it's going to look like - like I didn't fancy it! I did put myself forward, I said that I was on a hat-trick and I was more than happy to take it, but Matt O'Riley said he was the taker and we still needed to win the game.

"At that point, winning the game for the team is more important. So as much as I would've liked to get my hat-trick, it was important we got the win."

On finishing eighth this season: "It's a really positive season. I know it's probably tough to take at the minute, and it is tough to take, because we wanted Europe and we fought hard for it.

"But I don't think we can have any regrets from these past five or six weeks. We left it all out there. We have a great family in the changing room and everyone worked their hardest.

"We just fell a little short but I think we can just use that for fuel next season. We have great foundations to build on now and I think next season is going to be a really exciting one for sure."

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds

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Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the performance and what he said to his team at half-time: "I told them to stay calm in possession and to show more intensity out of possession. The key was to have better positioning, to be cleaner in our ing and touches, and to show the right reaction.

"We showed a great reaction and it was a well-deserved win."

On Jack Hinshelwood's goals: "I'm very happy for him because he is a player from the academy. He suffered a bit in the last little period, but he showed personality. He is great in training and he deserves the two goals. He never gives up. I'm really happy for him."

On missing out on securing European football for next season: "We did all that we could and we played a very good season. Overall, we accept the other results. We have to reflect on this season and then build on it next season."

On Diego Gomez's goal: "Everyone was happy for him. Diego came from a different culture and country. He is a great team player.

"I'm really happy with the team spirit this season."

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Only in 2022-23 have Brighton finished with more points (62) and in a higher position (6th) in a top-flight campaign than in 2024-25, where they have finished on 61 points and sit in eighth place.

In addition, only four sides have won more points in the Premier League in 2025 than the Seagulls' 34.

At 20 years and 44 days, Jack Hinshelwood is the second-youngest player to score in successive Premier League games for the club after Evan Ferguson in January 2023 (18 years and 76 days).

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It went right down to the final day but the European places for next season are now finally confirmed.

Manchester City and Chelsea's wins saw them secure third and fourth respectively, while Newcastle took the fifth and final Champions League spot despite a final day loss to Everton.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest's defeats mean they miss out on the top five but will be heading on European adventures in the Europa and Conference Leagues respectively.

Chelsea's win means there will not be an additional spot for eighth place so Brighton's victory at Tottenham does not creep them into Europe.

So the curtain has come down on Brighton's season with a thumping win at Tottenham, but it was not enough to clinch European football for 2025-26.

How are you feeling after the game and at the end of a long campaign?

A season of promise or one where Albion have under-achieved?

Have your say on Brighton's performance and season

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Ange Postecoglou makes just three changes from the starting XI that beat Manchester United in the Europa League final.

Mathys Tel, Archie Gray and Kevin Danso come into the team, with Sergio Romero, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison dropping out.

Spurs starting XI: Vicario, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Benatcur, Gray, Sarr, Johnson, Solanke, Tel

Subs: Kinsky, Spence, Davies, Bissouma, Olusei, Ajayi, Moore, Odobert, Richarlison

Striker Danny Welbeck and full-back Pervis Estupinan miss out, with Hinshelwood and Julio coming in.

Brighton starting XI: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Julio, Van Hecke, Webster; Wieffer, Baleba, Ayari; Hinshelwood, Minteh, Gruda, Adingra

Subs: Rushworth, Dunk, Milner, Cashin, Mitoma, Gomez, O'Riley, Vetlman, Howell

All 20 teams are in action on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Bournemouth v Leicester City

• Fulham v Man City

• Ipswich v West Ham

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Man Utd v Aston Villa

• Newcastle v Everton

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Tottenham v Brighton

• Wolves v Brentford - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

All kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I am not sure how much the Tottenham players will have left in their legs for this game after their Europa League win.

Especially because they are up against a Brighton team who have found a bit of form, are playing with freedom and are also looking to secure eighth place and possibly a European spot too.

That's why I am going for the Seagulls to win - but I don't think the Spurs fans will care too much about this result, and understandably so.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

With the 2024-25 Premier League season coming to a close, we would love to hear what you think of this club page.

A huge thank you to those who have already submitted their responses and have interacted with the page in any capacity throughout the campaign.

We are continuously working to improve your experience and bring you the best possible content and coverage of your team.

It is your club and your voice.

So what do you like?

And what could be improved?

Send thoughts here

We asked you to pick your player of the season after our Brighton fan contributor narrowed it down to Carlos Baleba, Kaoru Mitoma, Jan Paul van Hecke and Danny Welbeck.

Here are some of your comments on your selection, plus another name thrown into the ring:

Fran: Van Hecke is my Albion player of the season. Has got better as the season progressed, is reliable and consistent in every game, plus scores a superb headed goal. He's also comfortable on the ball and never looks troubled.

Alfred: Van Hecke showed against Wolves why he's been a one-man defence in the absence of full-backs this season. Brighton's player and player's player of the season, Baleba and Yasin Ayari have also excelled!

Steve: Baleba gets my vote for player of the season. Oozes class, strong in possession and he never panics on the ball. He will get even better with more experience. Please let's keep him and enjoy another season with him!

Paul: JPvH has come of age this season. I had initial doubts but they have just been completely blown away by his mastery on the ball, defending like a Trojan, bringing the ball out of defence and starting attacks. He has not been fazed by the likes of Erling Haaland, Nicolas Jackson and Mohamed Salah. He is a consummate, talented and brilliant centre-half. Cant wait to see him in action next season.

Don't forget to make your selection here

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Brighton came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the reverse fixture against Tottenham in October. However, they have never won consecutive league games against Spurs before.

Their visitors have aslso lost 21 league games this season, their most in a single campaign since 1976-77 (also 21). They have only lost 22 games in a campaign once, doing so in 1934-35 when they finished bottom of the top flight.

If they lose this game, Ange Postecoglou's side will become the first side in top-flight history to lose 22 games in a 38-game season and not be relegated.

Finally, Albion have had six Premier League goals both scored and assisted by substitutes this season, including their winner over Liverpool on Monday (Jack Hinshelwood assisted by Matt O'Riley).

In the competition's history, no side has ever had more goals both scored and assisted by substitutes in a single campaign.