Meet the opposition | Brighton

21st September
First team
Falmer Stadium

As Swansea City get set to take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup, we take a closer look at the the Seagulls. 

What's their story?

Brighton and Hove Albion were founded in 1901, playing in the Southern League before their inaugural Football League season in 1920. The Seagulls enjoyed a four-year stint in the top flight between 1979 and 1983, with an FA Cup final appearance against Manchester United coming in their final First Division season. 

Following financial troubles after their success in the 80s, the club survived relegation from the Football League in 1997, slowly climbing their way back up the divisions until, in 2017, they finished second in the Championship to earn automatic promotion to the Premier League. 

Brighton have been Premier League mainstays ever since, finishing 16th last season to remain in the top-flight.

How's their form?

Excellent. Brighton have lost just once so far this season, with that sole defeat coming against Everton in the Premier League.

They sit fourth in the top-flight table after their weekend win over Leicester, with 12 points from a possible 15 on the board.

Who's the boss?

Graham Potter. The Jack Army will know Potter from his stint at the helm of Swansea, but the gaffer began his managerial career in Sweden, where he coached Östersund from 2011 to 2018. 

After earning promotion to the top flight in 2013, Potter led his side to a Svenska Cupen victory over Norrköping in 2017, giving Östersund their first-ever Europa League berth. 

Potter left the Swedish side in 2018 to join the Swans, and developed an exciting brand of attacking football that saw the likes of Daniel James and Oli McBurnie shine.

After an impressive FA Cup run that ended in the quarter finals, Potter’s side finished 10th, with the manager joining Brighton at the end of the 2018-19 season. 

Since joining the Seagulls, he has overseen 15th and 16th places finishes, respectively, in two full seasons at the club.

Who is the captain?

Lewis Dunk

Lewis Dunk. Dunk has represented the club since 2003, when he joined their youth academy at just 12 years old. The centre-back, who was named the youth team’s captain at the time, made his professional debut in 2010, and has since made 318 league appearances for the side. He was given the captain’s armband in 2019. 

The 29-year-old had a loan spell with Bristol City in 2013, making just two appearances for the Robins before returning to Brighton. 

The skipper is a goal threat from set-pieces, scoring 21 league goals in his career, including being the club’s top scorer in the 2014-15 season after bagging seven goals.

In 2016-17, Dunk was named in the Championship Team of the Season following the Seagulls' promotion to the Premier League.

Who are the key men?

Adam Lallana

Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana joined Albion in the summer of 2020, calling time on a six-year stint with Liverpool that had seen him win the Champions League, Premier League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Lallana helped the Seagulls to their first victory over Liverpool since 1982, at his old stomping ground of Anfield in February 2021. The former Saints youth product has racked up 36 appearances for the East Sussex side, scoring one goal. 

Neal Maupay arrived at the Amex from Brentford in the summer of 2019 after two impressive seasons at Griffin Park. 

His first Premier League campaign saw him net 10 times for Albion, finishing as Graham Potter's side's top scorer, before scoring eight in the 2020-21 season. The French striker is leading this season's goal tally for the Seagulls with three goals. 

Brighton can also call upon the considerable talents of Yves Bissouma in midfield, while Solly March and Tariq Lamptey provide no shortage of impetus and excitement in their respective roles on the flanks.

The Amex

The Amex

Capacity: 31,000

Also known as: American Express Community Stadium, The Amex, The Falmer Stadium.

The Seagulls moved into the American Express Community Stadium in 2011. Since a memorable 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers in front of 20,219 supporters, Albion’s home has grown to holding over 30,000 fans.

For those travelling to East Sussex on Wednesday night, check out a guide for supporters HERE.