Analysis: Reality check for Seagulls

Their emphatic 4-0 victory over Villa on the opening weekend set expectations high for a another season under Hurzeler, who has steered Brighton to back-to-back eighth-placed finishes since taking charge in 2024.

But they were given a reality check by a Chelsea attack brimming with quality.

Brighton’s backline, including £46m summer signing Vuskovic, struggled to cope with the width provided by wing-backs Hato and Neto as well as the creativity of their front three of Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro in the first half.

Hurzeler will draw positives from a much-improved display in the second half as they went close to grabbing a point, despite the excursions of a midweek outing against Norway’s Tromso to book their Conference League place.

Yalcouye’s performance was a bright spot, with the 20-year-old Ivorian playing a key role in their first two goals.

He has spent the past two seasons on loan at Sturm Graz and Swansea City despite joining Brighton in 2024 but this display showed he can do a job at the Seagulls this year.

And for Hurzeler, the challenge will be to ensure the Brighton side that emerged after half-time is the norm rather than the one that was overrun in first half.