Brighton & Hove Albion have risen to third in the Premier League table after nine matches, trailing only Arsenal and Manchester City — both of whom they have already beaten this season. Under 33-year-old manager Fabian Hurzeler, the team has scored 24 goals while conceding just seven, with only Arsenal having a tighter defensive record.
Hurzeler's side employs a high, man-to-man pressing system from opposition goal-kicks, distinguished by its intensity and a unique curved run by one attacker to cut off the return pass to the goalkeeper. Against Arsenal, forward Charalampos Kostoulas pressed Gabriel Magalhães before curving his run to pressure David Raya, forcing an early clearance.
When pushed deeper, Brighton maintain man-to-man principles but add a structural "plus-one" in defence: if opponents commit four forwards, Brighton defend with five. This extra player, often a centre-back like Luka Vuskovic, provides central cover while the rest of the team tracks individual opponents. Against Arsenal, midfielder Chema Andrés shifted between zonal protection and man-to-man engagement as Martin Ørgaard moved into dangerous areas.
The system also adapts to unconventional attacking full-backs. Against Manchester City, left winger Maxim De Cuyper — a natural left-back — tracked right-back Matheus Nunes all the way into a central striking position, effectively forming a back five. Brighton's constant shifting and sudden presses on the unmarked opposition centre-back create a vertical domino effect that disrupts build-up play.
While opponents like Abdukodir Khusanov have found moments of success with powerful ball-carrying, Brighton's combination of central compactness, disciplined man-to-man assignments, and calculated risk-taking makes them a uniquely difficult tactical puzzle in the Premier League.
