Brighton Return to the Etihad: Hürzeler Seeks Revenge

Fabian Hürzeler is targeting swift revenge when Brighton travel to Manchester City for Saturday's Premier League clash.

Brighton were knocked out of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, losing 4-3 on penalties to City after a 2-2 draw in normal time, as City advanced to the last eight. Hürzeler's side twice took the lead through goals from Malick Yalcouyé and Georginio Rutter, and Rutter spurned another big chance with Brighton 2-1 up. After Vitor Reis levelled for City, Mats Wieffer struck the post late on, before Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk missed in the shootout.

Even so, Brighton have a quick opportunity to turn things around when they return to the Etihad Stadium, this time for a league fixture, and their young head coach Hürzeler cannot wait for the game.

"I think the game was in our favour. The goals we conceded were also quite unlucky moments. Overall, there are a lot of positives to take from this performance. My players showed real togetherness. Despite conceding goals at completely unexpected moments, we never stopped fighting. We had plenty of chances to score, and sometimes you need a bit of luck to go through to the next round. Right now there is a bad feeling, but the positive is that we go back there in three days. We can get our revenge there, and hopefully this time we leave the pitch with a better feeling," Hürzeler said after the match.

Manchester City, who were drawn against Bradford City in the quarter-finals, rested the likes of Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, Rúben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Gianluigi Donnarumma for the cup tie with the weekend's league game in mind. Second-half substitutes Enzo Fernández and Jérémy Doku both converted their spot-kicks in the shootout.

Discussing Doku, who completed more dribbles (seven) than any other player on the pitch despite only coming on in the 61st minute, head coach Maresca said: "I'm not sure he changed the game on his own, but he certainly made a big impact. That is exactly why our players are in the squad: to give their best when they start in the starting XI, and to make a direct impact when they come off the bench."

Key players

Manchester City – Erling Haaland Haaland has scored seven goals in seven Premier League appearances against Brighton, but he has failed to win any of the last four games in which he has scored (2 draws, 2 defeats). The Norwegian star became only the third player in Premier League history, after Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Charlie Austin, to score in four consecutive matches against one opponent without winning any of them. Neither of those two players extended that run to five games.

Brighton – Pascal Groß Groß has emerged as one of Brighton's most consistent performers this season and looks set to play a key role in the Seagulls' chances of victory on Saturday. The experienced player, who has created more chances (23) than any other player in the Premier League this season, also remains at the top of the league's assist charts.