Brighton Head Coach, Fabian Hürzeler praised his players for changing “momentum” in a comeback 2-1 win over Manchester City.
Erling Haaland struck in the 23rd minute to put Man City into a half-time lead but Joao Pedro produced a 78th minute equaliser, before he then set up Matt O’Riley’s first goal for the club to complete a comeback win to go fourth in Premier League table.
Head Coach, Fabian Hürzeler post-match praised his team to change momentum following a sloppy first-half, in which he thought that they “were too passive.”
“We didn’t have momentum in the first half because we were too passive. We were able to change momentum today and used it well. The team gets for their performance the result they deserved, and I am happy for them.”
Hürzeler proceeded to explain that a mixture of patience and ruthlessness proved key to their comeback.
“We needed to be more patient in possession. We played too many vertical balls and gave it away too easily.
“But when you are patient gaps opened more and we played with more intensity in the second half, had better pressing patterns and were more ruthless in personal duels.”
Having suffered an ankle injury in late August on his debut in a Carabao Cup win over Crawley, O’Riley marked his Premier League debut with his first goal for the club as a substitute.
“It’s important to have a big squad and subs who will have an impact,” said Hürzeler on O’Riley and Pedro’s game-changing goals off the bench.
“I am happy that Joao and Matt have come back after a long time out and did what they did. They worked hard in their rehab and today they got what their hard work deserved.”
Hürzeler ultimately praised the Danish midfielder for his work ethic and desire to recover from his injury.
“In life you get what you work for. I have never seen a player who had such a positive mindset during an injury as Matt. He came back to the training ground and showed his personality.
“He wanted to come back faster and stronger than expected. That’s why you work hard – for moments like this.”
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