Sussex

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Amex Stadium (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Pascal Struijk will be assessed on Saturday before a decision is made on his availability for Sunday.

• No other sidelined players will recover in time for the Palace match, but Mats Wieffer and Yankuba Minteh will be a "quite quick return". Hurzeler added they will "have to be a bit more patient" with Karou Mitoma.

• On why he thinks so many players have been on the scoresheet this season: "Quality from the players. They all have a hunger to improve every day. I have ideas and principles, but it's the players that have to live it and believe it's their idea. The players do and that's something I really appreciate for them."

• He added that his players "show desire to score" by "attacking the box with intention" and make runs for one another which shows "sacrifice".

• On what he enjoys the most about the rivalry with Palace: "Nothing yet because I haven't won any so far. Hopefully, on Sunday this changes and then I can enjoy it."

• He said he "knows how important this game is for the fans and club" so they "will try to go all-in and give the supporters the win".

• More on the derby and continuing their run of form: "It's a big game for the club and for us. I know the meaning and we are all desperate to win it, but we are not going into this game only focusing on the result. We want to do things that make us strong [performance-wise] and that will always be our approach."

• He praised the "very impressive" home support against Kauno Zalgiris and thanked everyone "who created the environment".

Listen to live commentary of Brighton v Crystal Palace on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds from 14:00 BST on Sunday.

Follow all the key lines from Friday's Premier League news conference's and the rest of the day's football news

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after Brighton's victory against Kauno Zalgiris: "It was a good result and a good game. It is always difficult to break a low block but we were patient in the right moments and we scored very good goals.

"It's important for players who are not playing regularly to step up and use their opportunity. We know we can rely on everyone so it was quite a positive evening.

"Overall it was a good team performance. Everyone stepped up and that is important for us. We have that kind of togetherness and It was important to see today."

Listen to more from Hurzeler below or on BBC Sounds here

What did you learn from Brighton's display? Send us your comments here

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Hinshelwood spoke to TNT Sports after Brighton's victory against Kauno Zalgiris: "It's nice to just be back with the boys. They have been on such a good run, and I have really missed it out there, so to be back out there tonight, fighting for this badge which I love doing is the main thing tonight."

On the performance: "Fair play to Kauno Zalgiris, they came and made it difficult for us. We had to stay patient and I think we did that well. Georginio [Rutter] with a great goal and then to set me up as well he done really well. I think it was a really professional performance, we had to work for it, but it was a job well done today."

On what this team can go on to achieve this season: "I think the manager spoke about it, we just want to keep on improving. What's happened in the past is gone now and we have to look to the future, to keep getting better and developing. It's starts again Sunday with another massive game.

Hit play below to hear more from Hinshelwood or listen on BBC Sounds here

Striker Georginio Rutter also spoke to TNT Sports: "I'm very happy to have two goals today, but more importantly is the three points. We are very happy to start the competition like this, we have a good side, we are in good shape at the moment, so we have to keep going."

On being one of the highest scoring teams in the Premier League: "It's not every time, one player. We are a good team, everybody scores and everybody assists so I think the atmosphere of the team at the moment is very good, so we are confident and in good shape."

On the difficulty of defensively minded teams: "I think we have to be mature. Today was about discipline, and I think we played very good, every focused. I don't think we made any mistakes, so that is the most important thing. We took our time, scored four goals and kept a clean sheet. So we can't do anything better."

Listen to more match reaction from Georginio Rutter below or on BBC Sounds here

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, it was the perfect evening.

The Lithuanian visitors showed their intent early on by defending deep, camped on the edge of their penalty area in a low block, looking to frustrate the hosts.

Lewis Dunk had scored a stunning 35-yard strike in the 5-0 league win against Coventry, later named as the Premier League goal of the month for September, and the Brighton skipper was unlucky to see a long-range attempt just go over.

But the breakthrough always looked like it would come soon. Hinshelwood had a header tipped over, before Rutter got his first goal of the season to end Zalgiris' resistance.

From then on it was easy for a Brighton side that ended up with nearly 80% of possession.

Jack Hinshelwood, Georginio Rutter again and Matt O'Riley added further goals, with the latter denied another by a fine save from away goalkeeper Tomas Svedkauskas.

For Brighton it continues a superb season in only their second ever continental campaign.

Domestically, they have already beaten Aston Villa 4-0 and embarrassed reigning champions Arsenal 3-0 in the Premier League, and came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford and knock Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.

Hurzeler's side have now scored 29 goals in 10 matches in all competitions and they will fancy their chances of a lengthy run in the Conference League.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

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

There are 18 games in both the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday - with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland involved in the former, and Brighton the latter - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Lyon v Crystal Palace (17:45)

• Torreense v Sunderland (17:45)

• Bournemouth v Sturm Graz

• Brighton v Kaunos Zalgiris

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Brighton centre-forward Georginio Rutter says his team-mates are "feeling pretty confident" after racking up a five-game unbeaten streak, but also "staying very humble" in the build-up to their first Conference League fixture of the season.

Fabian Hurzeler's side, who are in the midst of a run of six games in 17 days, host Lithuanian top-flight side Kauno Zalgiris at Amex Stadium on Thursday (kick-off 20:00 BST).

When asked about the mood in camp, Rutter replied: "When you win like this, it is always good for the team spirit.

"You do also have to be careful, though, because sometimes you can get carried away and start losing your focus when you're on a winning run like this, so we have to stay focused and conscientious.

"I play football to win trophies and we have the opportunity to do that this season, so why wouldn't we try? We're going to give everything we have, but it is important that we take it game by game.

"We need to keep being consistent like we are now. If we stay very humble but pretty confident at the same time, we can do something very good."

On head coach Fabian Hurzeler asking for a "tough and dirty" atmosphere against Kauno Zalgiris, who have never played against English opposition, Rutter replied: "I've been waiting for a European game for a long time since I arrived here so I hope it's going to be a very good atmosphere.

"We need the fans behind us. We have given them a lot this year but they have given us a lot back too, so hopefully the big spirit will match on both sides.

"It will be a bit like a cup game. We will have to be careful about their strengths while also knowing our own strengths."

Hit play below to hear more from Rutter or listen on BBC Sounds here

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler is the standout candidate among current Premier League head coaches should Manchester United's board choose to move on from Michael Carrick. (Sun), external

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