Brighton plunges into crisis with four consecutive losses

In December 2024, Brighton's football team has found itself in a troubling situation after a series of poor performances, having failed to win in four consecutive matches. Their recent loss at the Amex Stadium came after a disappointing 2-2 draw with Leicester City where they let a 2-0 lead slip, conceding goals in the 86th and 91st minutes. Prior to this encounter, they were defeated 3-1 at Fulham and only managed a 1-1 draw against Southampton, who were sitting at the bottom of the league table. As a result of these results, Brighton has dropped from second to ninth place in the league standings within a short period. The string of injuries affecting key players appears to be a critical factor in Brighton's current woes. Danny Welbeck, who serves as a captain and has been a significant presence in the squad, sat out for the second time in three games due to injury. This follows a tough stretch earlier in the season where he missed several matches due to a calf issue. The absence of other important players, such as Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh, has also added to the team's troubles, particularly in the defensive lineup where communication has faltered, evidenced by the goals conceded in recent matches. Brighton's defensive instability has raised questions about the team's ability to maintain its European ambitions this season. Not only has the team's backline struggled, often conceding two or more goals in 10 of their last 14 matches across all competitions, but poor defensive organization and lapses in concentration have allowed opponents to capitalize. For instance, in the recent match against Palace, the first goal came from a poorly defended deep cross, while later in the game, Brighton's players seemed slow to react to loose balls, leading to a decisive second goal for their opponents. Brighton has notably struggled against weaker teams, earning only two points from matches against teams in the bottom six of the league and eighth-placed Fulham. Their previous performance against Palace saw them concede goals due to set-piece failures for the second time in three games, and they are currently among teams with a high number of goals conceded from such scenarios. The manager, Fabian Hurzeler, continues to express concerns regarding the need to be more clinical and to capitalize on momentum during games, which has proven challenging given their recent form. With the halfway point of the season approaching, the pressure is mounting on Brighton to turn things around quickly.