Three defeats in their last three matches have seen Brighton and Hove Albion slip ever closer to the Premier League relegation zone. What is going wrong?

Over-reliant on Murray

Glenn Murray’s scoring during the first half of the season helped propel Brighton towards mid-table, but the goals have dried up for the 35-year-old – particularly at the Amex Stadium, where he has not scored in nine games – and no one has filled the gap. Brighton have had fewer attempts on goal than any other Premier League team and have managed just five efforts on target in their past four games.

While last season’s new recruits – particularly Pascal Gross, midfielder Davy Propper and keeper Maty Ryan – made a big impact on the team, this season’s arrivals have been less effective with Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Yves Bissouma, Florin Andone and Bernardo all still finding their feet.

“I think that’s fair to say,” said manager Chris Hughton. “Probably what Pascal had in his favour, and Maty and Davy, was in any period where they might not have been playing as well they were still in the team. I think probably where we are at the moment we have more options.”