Brighton boss Hurzeler targets 'new peaks' in Premier League

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has urged his side to "climb new peaks" as they seek to move into the Premier League's top six.

The soaring Seagulls have been on an impressive run since being hammered 7-0 at Nottingham Forest on February 1.

Brighton's extra-time FA Cup victory at Newcastle last weekend was a fifth straight win in all competitions for the south coast side.

Hurzeler – at 32 the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history – has enjoyed an impressive first campaign at the club, who host Fulham on Saturday.

Marco Silva's Fulham are ninth in the table, one place below Brighton as the race for European places hots up.

Hurzeler, two years younger than Brighton forward Danny Welbeck, has challenged his team to aim high.

The club's best-ever Premier League finish was sixth, in the 2022/23 season, earning qualification for the Europa League.

"It is very important we focus on our journey and that we really believe in it," Hurzeler said on Friday.

"Yesterday, I received a picture from a mountain. In a mountain you always have new peaks, new peaks you have to climb. That is the goal for us, we have to climb new peaks."

He added: "Fulham will be a big, big challenge. They have played an unbelievable season, they play very compact as a team and have individual quality."

Hurzeler said Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma would be available, having been forced off with cramp at Newcastle.