News about Bart Verbruggen

PATEL AT THE GTECH COMMUNITY STADIUM: Brighton cheaply gave the ball away midway through the second half, and Roberto De Zerbi sank to the ground of his dugout in utter annoyance. This was the kind of evening that sums up Brighton's injury-plagued season's inconsistency in a week where his team reported record earnings, where he has been linked to the Bayern Munich job, and provisionally ruled out of contention for the Liverpool vacancy. With owner Tony Bloom in the away game, as well as customary whenever they face Brentford owner Paul Benham, he would have seen a team playing with a distinctive style and certainly not lacking quality in the final third, but certainly not lacking quality. They haven't won consecutive games in the Premier League since September, and the chances are that if they can't stitch a run together between now and May, there will be no European trips next season. You only really appreciate something when it's gone. De Zerbi has made it clear that Brighton's aspirations will match his, so perhaps the same can be said about him.

Expected goals, or xG, have become one of the Premier League's most popular buzzwords, but some goalkeepers are better at preventing them than others. Although Liverpool may be two points clear at the top of the Premier League table with 14 games remaining, Alisson is not at the top of the table for xG saved, according to the reports. And while Everton, Burnley, and Sheffield United have all made it to the relegation ranks, it is a team with the goalkeeper who has made the fewest saves relative to the xG that has faced between the sticks.

Brighton will face Crystal Palace at home today, looking to return to some much-needed form. The Seagulls have won just one of their last seven games, one of which included a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at the hands of relegation champions Luton Town on Tuesday. Despite poor form, Roberto De Zerbi's side is 4/5 favorites to return to the winner's circle, while the visiting Palace is 16/5 strangers. The 11/4 is quoted for those predicting a draw.

Despite Manchester City's attempts to deceive their offer, the 19-year-old has been on their radar for some time, and they have been in a good spot to guarantee his signature since the summer. Brighton's scouting network in the United States has helped them recruit numerous emerging talents over the years.

JOE BERNSTEIN OF THE BET365 STADIUM: After a finishing masterclass dug Brighton out of a difficult situation, Joao Pedro has to be considered for signing of the season. The 22-year-old Brazilian international cost The Seagulls £30 million from Watford, less than half of what Manchester United paid for Rasmus Hojlund. After Championship Stoke had taken the lead and were already threatening an upset at 2-2 with 20 minutes remaining, Matt's match-winning double pushed his goal total to 15 goals on Saturday.

MATT BARLOW IN ATHENS: This one is unlikely to persist for the next 200 years, but the Greeks will be tempted to file it away with the Elgin Marbles in the box of apparent injustices. Brighton will not be concerned, though. They left Athens with three points from a game that has dominated for long stretches by AEK, and this is enough to extend their first Europa League campaign into the knock-out season next year. Joao Pedro, who scored his fifth goal and fourth from the spot, had a penalty coolly taken and won himself by the penalty area early in the second half.