Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler does not want to stop his fans dreaming of Champions League qualification following their impressive start to the season.
They have accrued 22 points in their opening 12 matches of the season and currently occupy fifth place in the Premier League, one point behind second-placed Manchester City and level with the respective third- and fourth-placed sides Chelsea and Arsenal.
Their run of form led to a section of fans singing about potentially qualifying for Europe's top tournament during their 2-1 victory over Bournemouth last weekend.
While Hurzeler would not be drawn on the chant, he did not exactly dampen fans' enthusiasm, saying: “I don’t listen so they can sing what they want.
“I didn’t hear it. I was focused on the game, but I think it is always important to make the supporters proud because in the end, they pay a lot of money, they spend a lot of time to support us, and it’s our responsibility to give them something back.”
There has been surprise from some quarters at the position the club currently occupy, having finished in 11th last term while juggling the Europa League. But not from the manager, who talked up his players following their most recent victory.
"There is no surprise [at the progress] or expectations. It is belief in the process and the guys," he said.
"If you see them work everyday, you see an unbelievable work ethic. When you are a man down, you have to stick together and support each other. We can improve on a lot of points but I believe in the process."
Southampton manager Russell Martin, meanwhile, is trying to keep positive ahead of his side's trip to the Amex Stadium and following their 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool.
"I think there's so much more to come. The fight is there, they're running," he said.
"It's about work, analyse the problems. We have to keep learning and helping the players through it as much as we can. Playing out is what got us to the Premier League and I'm really proud of the players.
Southampton were relegated bottom of the league in 2022-23, which was their most recent season in the Premier League.
Despite currently occupying the same spot, Martin believes that this season is different and that the players are doing their best for him and the club.
"I think the feeling is very different from the last time this club was in the Premier League. There's no lack of fight, they're really trying," he said.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brighton – Joao Pedro
Pedro has been directly involved in six goals in his last five Premier League appearances, scoring four and supplying two assists.
The Brazilian forward scored the opening goal in Brighton's 2-1 victory against Bournemouth last weekend and the equaliser against the Citizens in the previous match.
Southampton – Adam Armstrong
Armstrong has scored three goals in his last three home appearances for Southampton, being the last player to net four in the top flight at St. Mary's since Charlie Austin in 2016.
The 27-year-old scored the only goal of the game in Southampton's only victory this season against Everton, which came earlier in November.
MATCH PREDICTION: BRIGHTON WIN
Brighton have won their last two Premier League games, last winning three in a row in September 2023. The Seagulls are also unbeaten in all six of their home league games this term (W3 D3), their longest such run from the start of a campaign since 2015-16 (10 in the Championship).
They are also the only team to be unbeaten when conceding the first goal in Premier League games this season (W2 D2). Meanwhile, Southampton have gone on to lose all eight games in which they’ve conceded first, with only Nottingham Forest also having a 100% loss rate (2/2).
And having been winless in their first seven Premier League meetings with Southampton (D4 L3), Brighton have now won three of their last five against them (D2).
However, Southampton have lost just one of their last seven Premier League games played on a Friday (W4 D2), going down 1-0 at Aston Villa in September 2022. This follows a run of four straight defeats on Friday games, a run which culminated in a 9-0 home loss to Leicester City in October 2019.
The Saints have also scored in all 12 of their top-flight games against Brighton – it’s the most they’ve faced an opponent while scoring every time in the competition, while Brighton have only faced Man City (15) more without keeping a clean sheet.
But Southampton have struggled away from home. They have lost each of their last nine Premier League away games – only once have they lost 10 in a row on the road in the top-flight, doing so between December 1973 and April 1974. The last side to lose 10 in a row in the Premier League were Aston Villa (February 2016 to September 2019).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brighton – 63.7%
Draw – 19.2%
Southampton – 17.1%
Reggae boy Kaheim Dixon scores four in Charlton U21s’ 9-2 rout of Wingate & Finchley
Jamaican international Kaheim Dixon delivered a stunning performance on Tuesday evening, scoring four goals to lead Charlton Athletic’s U21 side to a dominant 9-2 victory over Wingate & Finchley in the third round of the London Senior Cup. The match, held at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, showcased Dixon’s clinical finishing and skill as the young Addicks advanced to the fourth round of the competition.
Charlton took control early, with Kai Enslin opening the scoring in the fifth minute, chesting down a lofted ball before firing in a precise finish. The Addicks doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Nathan Asiimwe, stepping down from the first team, headed home a pinpoint cross from Toby Bower.
Wingate & Finchley briefly pulled one back after halftime through Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, whose low strike beat goalkeeper Lennon MacLorg. However, Charlton quickly reestablished their dominance as Enslin netted his second with fancy footwork and a composed finish.
Drakes-Thomas added another for the hosts, but from then on, it was the Kaheim Dixon Show. The 20-year-old forward opened his account in the 67th minute with a long-range effort that left the keeper helpless. Moments later, Ibrahim Fullah added Charlton’s fifth before Dixon delivered a spectacular bicycle kick in the 75th minute, converting a cross from Enslin with flair.
Dixon completed his hat-trick just two minutes later, rounding the keeper after being played through on goal. He added his fourth deep into stoppage time, driving into the box and slotting a calm finish into the far corner to cap off a memorable night.
The match also saw contributions from Jacob Safa, who scored Charlton’s eighth after coming off the bench, and Enslin, who finished with a brace.
Charlton U21s manager Chris Lock praised Dixon’s impact and the team’s performance, saying, “Kaheim was outstanding tonight. His composure, skill, and hunger for goals were top-class. It was a strong team effort, and these kinds of performances are crucial for the development of our players.”
Dixon’s standout display is the latest milestone in his promising career, as the Jamaican continues to impress at club level and build his reputation as a rising star for the Reggae Boyz.
Charlton will now look forward to the fourth round of the London Senior Cup, with confidence running high after their emphatic display.
Walter dismissed as Hull coach after nine-game winless run
Tim Walter has been sacked as Hull City's head coach after just six months in charge at the MKM Stadium.
The German was appointed in May as successor to Liam Rosenior, who guided the Tigers to a seventh-place finish in the Championship last season.
However, Walter has been unable to build on that momentum, winning just three of his 17 league matches in charge.
Tuesday's home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday extended a nine-game winless streak for Hull, who occupy 22nd place in the table, and ultimately spelt the end for the 49-year-old.
"Hull City can confirm we have parted company with head coach Tim Walter with immediate effect," a statement on the club's website read. "Assistant head coaches Julian Hubner and Filip Tapalovic have also left the club.
"First-team coach Andy Dawson will take interim charge while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a permanent successor.
"We would like to thank Tim, Julian and Filip for their efforts during their time at the MKM Stadium and wish them well for the future."
Suarez signs new one-year contract extension with Inter Miami
Luis Suarez has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract extension with Inter Miami, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025 season.
Suarez joined the Herons in December 2023, reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The Uruguayan registered 37 goal involvements (25 goals, 12 assists) in 37 games in all competitions last season, helping Miami to their first Supporters' Shield title.
In the MLS, only D.C. United's Christian Benteke (23) scored more goals than Suarez (21, level with Messi and Denis Bouanga).
The Herons set a MLS regular-season points record of 74 but were defeated by Atlanta United in the first round of the play-offs.
"I'm very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to enjoy being here with this fanbase, which for us is like family," Suarez said.
"We feel very, very connected with them, and hopefully, next year, we can bring them even more joy."
News of Suarez's new deal comes the day after Miami appointed his former Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano as head coach following the resignation of Gerardo Martino.
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