Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari reflects on the defeat at Fulham, there's the latest on the transfer window and the BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty discusses Albion's DNA.
Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up
Igor returns to Seagullspublished at 19:34 GMT
19:34 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton defender Igor Julio has returned to the Seagulls after a loan spell at West Ham.
The 27-year-old, who joined Brighton in 2023, played just four times for the Hammers having joined on loan in September.
Albion's sporting director Jason Ayto said: "We're very pleased to welcome Igor back to the club. He will now be part of the squad going forward, and his return gives us added competition and cover in defence for the remainder of the season."
Hartlepool re-sign midfielder Holohanpublished at 16:26 GMT
16:26 GMT
Image source, Shutterstock
Image caption,
Gavan Holohan made 35 league appearances for Crawley Town
Hartlepool United have re-signed midfielder Gavan Holohan on a deal until the end of the season.
The 34-year-old ended his contract with League Two strugglers Crawley Town to return to the Teesside outfit.
He could feature in Saturday's National League game at home to Aldershot.
Boss Nicky Featherstone told the club website:, external "He was a real crowd favourite here, and I know the fans will be delighted to welcome him back."
Milner's Brighton appearances not contract-drivenpublished at 15:45 GMT
15:45 GMT
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Speculation around James Milner's involvement at Brighton has gathered pace in recent weeks, particularly after his introduction from the bench against Fulham prompted confusion and frustration among some supporters.
The 40-year-old midfielder is closing in on Gareth Barry's all-time Premier League appearance record of 653, leading to suggestions that Milner's contract may include clauses linked to reaching the landmark.
However, BBC Sport understands there is no such provision in Milner's Brighton deal.
Any implication that the former England international is being selected or used specifically to edge him closer to Barry's record is widely off the mark, according to sources close to the situation.
Milner, who joined Brighton in 2023, has been used sparingly this season by Fabian Hurzeler, with numerous appearances from the bench and his last start coming in December against West Ham - one of just two Premier League starts all season.
The former England international currently sits second on the Premier League's all-time appearance list with 651, two behind former Aston Villa and Manchester City midfielder Barry. While the milestone remains within reach, there is no obligation - written or otherwise - dictating how or when Milner is deployed.
'Milner is being gifted appearances'published at 11:46 GMT
11:46 GMT
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
When did Brighton & Hove Albion turn into a charity for Premier League appearances? That was one of the many questions Seagulls supporters were asking coming away from defeat at Fulham on Saturday.
Not for the first time this season, Fabian Hurzeler made a substitution involving James Milner which made little sense. Adding to the feeling, Milner is being gifted appearances so he can break the Premier League record.
Hurzeler bringing on Milner at Anfield back in December, for example, was clearly done for another tick in the box and a nice reception from the home crowd. The token substitution did not go down well at the time.
Milner made matters worse afterwards with a social media post thanking Liverpool fans, but no mention of the 3,000 Albion supporters making a 540-mile round trip two weeks before Christmas.
As annoying as it was seeing a 39-year-old come on when Brighton had young players on the bench who could have benefited from the experience, at least the Albion were 2-0 down. It had no bearing on the outcome.
Which was not the case against Fulham. Carlos Baleba had run the midfield with his best performance of the season. If Baleba was tiring, Hurzeler had Jack Hinshelwood on the bench to bring similar energy and drive.
Instead, Hurzeler introduced Milner with 81 minutes played. 11 minutes later and Fulham scored their winner from a free kick conceded in the exact area of the pitch Baleba had defended well all afternoon.
So baffling and frustrating has this become that some Brighton fans are now buying into the conspiracy that the contract Milner signed in the summer contained a clause saying the Albion had to help him pass Gareth Barry's 653 top-flight games.
It is a conspiracy and no more.
What is certain is Milner is now within two of that number. He could reach the milestone against Crystal Palace in a fortnight and surpass it at Aston Villa the following Wednesday.
Good for him. And hopefully good for Brighton if it means Hurzeler stops making decisions which appear to be for the benefit of Milner rather than Brighton.
