Sunderland 0-1 Brighton: Van Hecke leads ratings in rare 1-0 under Hurzeler | OneFootball

Brighton claimed a controlled 1-0 win at Sunderland, with Jan Paul van Hecke outstanding at the back as Fabian Hurzeler’s side collected three points at the Stadium of Light. This was only their second 1-0 under the head coach.

According to WeAreBrighton.com, the previous 1-0 arrived in October 2024 at Newcastle, and this success felt calmer than that backs-to-the-wall effort.

Minteh grabbed the decisive goal and later teed up Jack Hinshelwood, who was denied by Melker Ellborg before wasting another chance. Diego Gomez also blazed over after a neat lay-off from Mats Wieffer, squandering the opportunity to make the game safe.

Lewis Dunk returned and produced a brilliant goal line block, while Bart Verbruggen had little to do until a late sprawling save after a misjudged clearance from Minteh.

James Milner and Pascal Gross tightened the midfield, with Gross also clipping the outside of a post. Brighton have taken nine points from four, the only defeat in that run coming via a deflection against Arsenal.

Ferdi Kadioglu impressed both ways and ranked next to Van Hecke in the ratings. With Minteh booked and then committing another foul, Hurzeler introduced Maxim De Cuyper to see the game out.

Source: WeAreBrighton.com