Fabian Hürzeler has made a dream start to his first Premier League season: Brighton & Hove Albion managed a 3-0 away win at Everton FC, aided by mistakes from the home side
Fabian Hürzeler had to make the first difficult decisions before kick-off: Brighton’s squad was missing, for example, the multi-million euro new signing Gruda (came from FSV Mainz 05 for a total package of up to €40 million), although Hürzeler was still effusive in his praise for him.
On English TV, his new coach reassured him: “We have to give Brajan time, he comes from Germany, is very young – and there is a different culture here. We want to integrate him as quickly as possible and prepare him for the Premier League.”
On Saturday, however, that time had not yet come. The Seagulls completed the task at Everton FC, who have been struggling in the Premier League for years, in a relaxed manner, even without the 20-year-old Gruda. Joao Pedro had the lead on his feet after just nine minutes, but his long-range shot hit the post.
Minteh the downer – 4:0 conceded by VAR
After 25 minutes, however, the visitors took the lead as Mitoma set off on a solo run from his own (!) penalty area before picking out Minteh on the right. The latter served perfectly to the right of the penalty area to the second post, where Mitoma, who had run through, only had to stick his foot in – 1:0. Apart from the downer of Minteh being substituted injured, Hürzeler could be satisfied with the first half of his Premier League career
After the changeover, it was a capital misplaced pass by Everton on the halfway line that new signing Wieffer intercepted and fed Welbeck. The latter fired home unchallenged from the edge of the box to make it 2:0 (56′). It got worse for the Toffees when Young lost the ball to Mitoma after a sloppy reception, resulting in an emergency stop from the Englishman (66′).
Brighton played it off cleverly in superior numbers and even increased the lead to 3:0 with Adingra’s precise shot into the bottom left corner from outside the penalty area (86′). A short time later, Hürzeler was celebrating for a fourth time, but Joker Ayari’s goal was disallowed by VAR
Even so, it was a dream start in the Premier League for the promoted FC St. Pauli coach. The home debut against Manchester United (August 24, 1.30 pm) can therefore come.