Brighton & Hove Albion Head Coach, Fabian Hurzeler has praised his players for their “belief” in a 1-0 victory at Manchester City.
Yasin Ayari netted a 11th minute winner from Matheus Nunes’ poor clearance to gift Brighton their first-ever away win over Man City in a league match.
The victory also meant that Hurzeler’s Seagulls avenged their penalty shootout heartbreak suffered at City last Wednesday (28 October) in the Carabao Cup, after they twice let a lead slip in a 2-2 draw against Enzo Maresca’s Cityzens.
“It means a lot for the team and for the club,” explained Hurzeler post-match to the club website as he spoke of the team’s belief and confidence that they were able to cause a shock, which has left two sat two points behind leaders, City in the Premier League table in third position
“I said before the game it’s about belief, it’s about having the confidence to come here and win this game, and I think my players suffered but they stuck together. It was not the easiest game and, of course, in some moments we also had luck, but in the end we always had this conviction that we could win this game.
“I’m really happy and I’m really proud of the players.”
Hurzeler also addressed the need for his team to have suffered across the game to get that result given City’s ball possession and quality, as he praised their hosts for their intense pressing whilst his team tried to find a second goal once in front as the biggest chance fell to Maxim De Cuyper.
“Of course, in certain moments we had to suffer. We didn’t have that many ball possession phases like we wanted to have, but I think it’s also credit to City that they pressed quite intensely.
“We always tried to go for the second goal. I think at the beginning of the second half we had opportunities. We had one or two chances.
“I think the biggest one was with Maxim and we tried to go for a second. But City tried to equalise. We had a great goalkeeper and a great mindset to defend together, and I think that brought us the win today.”
Hurzeler also acknowledged an old saying about how defences are key to winning battles and titles but swiftly cooled any speculation of a title challenge, as he spoke of the need to have a defensive psychology in certain matches with unity.
“There’s an old phrase – defence wins you battles and wins you championships. Of course, we’re not speaking about the championship, but especially today we needed to have this defensive mindset. It’s always a togetherness when you defend like we did.
“In the end, if the team is successful, then of course individuals shine, but we always try to focus on the togetherness.”
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