How Fabian Hürzeler’s tactical principles, defensive structure and clever adjustments helped 10-man Brighton beat Sunderland

“One regular day of Barclays, that’s all I ask” is a popular saying that has floated around the internet. Ultimately, though, most football games are routine. That is, unless you’re following Brighton and Hove Albion, who just beat Europa League participants Sunderland 2-0 despite playing with 10 men, with both goals scored by left-backs.

That said, the game could have played out very differently, especially after Pascal Struijk was sent off in the 57th minute for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Including stoppage time, the Albion played around 40 minutes of football with one fewer player, yet still conceded only half as much xG as they did in the first half.