Brighton news: Opinion – Seagulls ‘now have a squad capable of coping with injuries’

Manchester City are one of the richest football clubs in the world and should be able to afford a deep squad with game-changing options on the bench.

Yet, at the Amex on Saturday, it was Brighton who had their substitutes to thank for securing them three points against the serial Premier League champions.

Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley both scored from the bench. Carlos Baleba played an equally important role after coming on at half-time, helping the Albion get on top by winning the midfield battle.

Brighton will have a fight on their hands keeping hold of Baleba beyond next summer if he carries on performing as he has so far this season.

The wealth of options available to Fabian Hurzeler comes from the near-£200m spending spree Tony Bloom went on in the summer. The Albion now have a squad capable of coping with injuries to four, five or six first-choice players.

But solid recruitment is only one part of the story. Hurzeler deserves an equal amount of credit for the way he is managing his players – and, in particular, his use of the bench.

The City win was not the first time Hurzeler’s substitutions have helped deliver three points, either. Home victories over Manchester United and Tottenham also came thanks to major contributions from the bench.

Not many managers outwit Pep Guardiola and surely nobody else has done it aged 31. The Seagulls are soaring and the sky looks the limit for Hurzeler.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external