Sussex

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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Joao Pedro was already a very popular player among Brighton supporters. Scoring 20 goals in your first season at the Albion does that.

But his likeability soared even more in the aftermath of the 2-1 win over Bournemouth as he stood up for that most sacred of institutions… Brighton Beach.

The Cherries' social media team posted a pre-game graphic, external with Albion centre-back Igor Julio serving ice creams and the caption: 'Oh I do like to be beside the (proper) seaside.'

Pedro opened the scoring at Vitality Stadium. He then played an outstanding, defence-splitting pass to set up Kaoru Mitoma for the second Brighton goal. Afterwards, he said there was extra motivation to win the game because of things seen on the internet.

With four goals this season from six appearances, the last thing opponents want to be doing is riling up Pedro. If he can stay fit and carry on performing like this, the Albion will do very well to hold on to him beyond next season.

At least one of the big boys will surely come calling with a mega money offer for a forward who can create chances and put them away in a variety of different scenarios.

His strike against Bournemouth was a poacher's finish, following up after Kepa Arrizabalaga parried a Georginio Rutter shot. Being Brazilian, he obviously has an eye for the spectacular.

And several of last season's haul came from towering headers of the sort you expect from a traditional English centre-forward.

Having only just turned 23, there is plenty of scope for improvement too. He is clearly a much better player now than when he arrived 18 months ago from Watford.

If Pedro continues to progress at his current rate, the sky is the limit - especially when he is fired up to defend the city's beach and honour.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Fulham and Leicester City are eyeing a loan deal in January for Brighton's 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson. (Football Insider), external

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

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Brighton forward Georginio Rutter has been discussing settling in at Amex Stadium, as 10-man Brighton continued their best start to a top-flight season with an away win over Bournemouth.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after the game, Rutter said he "didn't expect" to settle in at his new club so quickly: "When you change club, you often need more time but I have started very quickly here.

"The adaptation was quick and good, so I'm happy."

Rutter added that he believes the Christmas period will present an opportunity for himself and his team-mates to keep pushing on in the league.

"I think this next period is the most important," he said.

"The season is long and we have to take the maximum amount of points, then we can see at the end.

"We, as the players, have to work our bodies cleverly, recover well and get ready for the next games."

The Seagulls are currently fifth in the league and are only separated from the Champions League qualification places on goal difference.

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Brighton, which the Seagulls won 2-1.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Alec: When is our manager going to realise that Mark Travers is our best keeper and that David Brooks should start? To send Dango Ouattara on before Brooks was wrong. Also let's get some basics confirmed - like stop running offside. After all, it's just like crossing the road, look both ways before moving.

Nick: Draw would have been a fairer result. Brooks should have come on earlier. In the first half we didn't go route one into number nine enough because he was open more often than not.

Spirit of 57: Disappointed. Gutted. Bewildered. We put Arsenal and Manchester City to the sword and can't dispatch a below par Brighton. It surely is a funny old game.

Douglas: A very good game of football. I thought very little in it but we weren't able to convert the chances.

Brighton fans

Bob: This proves we are a different animal this season. Being up there in fifth is the just deserts we have earned. If we had kept the lead against Forest we would be second.

Tim: A big win for the Seagulls against a team we have struggled against in the Premier League. Down to 10 men and showing some determination to get over the line was what we needed to do. We are starting to mix it with the establishment.

Stonegold: Two superbly crafted goals worthy of winning any match. If that was a yellow card for Baleba's second then you may as well make football a non-contact sport. Daft first yellow on the player's part doesn't excuse a ref to make that decision. Onwards and definitely upwards.

Vic: Brighton are grinding out wins where they would have previously drawn or lost. Now they are beginning to get their injured players back it looks like a very promising first season for the new manager.

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Brighton defender Joel Veltman has praised his team-mates' "fight" in a "tough" game against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium, which saw Fabian Hurzeler's team continue their push for European football.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about the victory, Veltman said: "Bournemouth away is always tough. We were in a good place, and I think they were as well. We knew it would be tough with the weather and the rain. You know it's going to be a fight and, after all, we did well.

"Everybody who came on was really into the fight. The effort was unreal and that's what you need with 10 men.

"They were bringing five or six guys into the box at times, so we needed a bit of luck but also a good goalkeeper behind us. We had all of that, so we got the result."

Veltman was also full of praise for 22-year-old goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, adding: "He took loads of goal kicks, he did well on the line, and he helped us a lot coming out and making those saves.

"It keeps you in the game and it helps to build confidence in defence. As a defender it's good to know that when someone passes you, the goalkeeper will also be there to save it or kill the chance.

"Hopefully he is going to stay here for loads of years, but how he is doing right now is amazing."

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds

Chris Wise
Final Score reporter at Vitality Stadium

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Brighton have certainly had performances under Fabian Hurzeler that have sparkled more than their win at Bournemouth.

The German said as much himself after the game on Saturday. But, I think they deserve some credit for how smart they were once Carlos Baleba had been sent off.

There was a maturity about this win. Had this been a Roberto de Zerbi Brighton team, he may well have been reluctant to absorb pressure even with 10 men, and that could have left them open.

But it feels like Hurzeler is more flexible in finding ways to win games. He made the right changes at the right time, and essentially shut down all available avenues for Bournemouth.

They're still a work in progress, but the progress is becoming clear.