Brighton's two target hero Yankuba Minte says that the seagulls will dream of European football next season after a comfortable 3-0 win over Chelsea on Friday.
Minteh succeeded the sensational opener of Kaoru Mitoma with two strikes on both sides of the rest to move them to the Eighth in the Premier League table.
Indeed, after dumping Chelsea from the FA Cup last week, it was the first time that Brighton had defeated the same opponent in the room of seven days since November 2007.
Brighton also enjoyed their first home victory in six games in the Premier League (D3 L2), while it was their joint biggest victory in the competition on one side that started the day in the top four, along with a 3-0 win against Arsenal In May 2023 under Roberto de Zerbi.
Their triumph was led by the impressive MINTEH, who ended the game with an expected goals (XG) total of 0.39, where only Joel Veltman (0.64) created more. He also created more opportunities (three) and won more duels (12) than anyone on the field.
Minteh took his very first brace in English football, while he was directly involved in four goals in his last four Premier League matches (three goals, one assist), one more than in his first 16 outings in the competition combined (three) .
“I think the compactness of the team was good, and the team always communicated with me and pushed me,” Minth told Sky Sports.
“I think everyone helped me a lot. I went to Feyenoord and played a year, and now I am back in the Premier League, everything is going well.”
Asked about the prospect of a second season in Europe, said Minth: “Yes. We dream.”
Although Brighton had returned to winning ways in their FA Cup victory in Chelsea, they still licked their wounds from their 7-0 way to Nottingham Forest.
And Fabian Hurzeler was satisfied with how his side reacted to that heavy defeat, and quoted his team's character as crucial for stopping their two-game run in the top.
“I thought the 7-0 was crazy. We don't want things like this to happen, but we analyzed it, and it was important to stay calm and do the basics well,” Hurzeler said afterwards.
“We have tried to work hard and bounce back on the field because talking does not help at such moments.
“The most important thing is that we make the supporters of the Seagulls proud and they give what they deserve.
“I always say that I trust the process and I did not change my approach. I knew why it happened and we analyzed it and I did not respond exaggerated.
“The players showed a great character and the right response.”
Hurzeler also praised Mitoma for his beautiful finish to lead his team in the 27th minute.
Mitoma brought brilliantly the tip of Bart Verbruggen before he curled the ball into the net and scored his third goal in his last five Premier League performances, as much as in the 33 before (three).
“I think we should also mention Bart Verbruggen, who made a mistake in the last game, for showing this personality and making this assist,” said Hurzeler.
“It was a great touch and selection of Mitoma, but you always need someone to help you.”
Georgi is all ours now! pic.twitter.com/CVNXQZTBHV
– Brighton & Hove Albion (@officialbhafc) February 14, 2025
Verbruggen is indeed only the second goalkeeper of Brighton who registered an assist in the Premier League, after Jason Steele against Brentford on April 1, 2023.
There have been six assists this season by keepers in the Premier League (Ederson (two), Mark Flekken, Jordan Pickford, Bernd Leno and Verbruggen), the most in one campaign since 2007-08 (eight).
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