Media review: Gross impresses in win over Sunderland

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How the newspapers and websites saw Saturday's 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-10-11T10:00+01:00

Babis Kostoulas goes shoulder to shoulder with Sunderland's Nordi Mukiele.

Albion prepared for a busy week in the best possible way with a 2-0 victory away to Sunderland, and most reporters at the Stadium of Light enjoyed it – and not only because a few of them are lifelong Newcastle United fans.

One or two picked up on remarks from Albion chairman Tony Bloom before the game. Martin Hardy of The Sunday Times, for instance.

“The Brighton owner, Tony Bloom, is all about numbers so here are some that he may like: only two teams are above his side and their latest success came with only ten men,” he wrote.

“It was probably why, on the morning of win No 4 from six Premier League games, he spoke of the possibility of finishing in the top five.

“Then followed 90 minutes plus nine of stoppage time to show why that sounds like the argument of a man who seems to understand the changing face of modern football as well as any.

“Brighton’s first goal came from Maxim De Cuyper, signed in the summer of 2025 from Club Bruges for £17m. Their second came from another little-known player in Jaouen Hadjam, who moved from Young Boys for only £9.5m this summer. His entrance from the substitutes’ bench was in the 88th minute. Three minutes into added time he cracked in the game-deciding goal.

“Brighton had to show defensive resilience after the 57th-minute dismissal of Pascal Struijk. Belief grew that Sunderland could equalise but for all their possession, Bart Verbruggen’s only real save was from the free kick some 30 yards out by Xhaka that followed the dismissal.”

Gary Stonehouse of The Sun On Sunday had also read the quotes. “A red card for Pascal Struijk failed to stop Brighton’s Champions League charge as they claimed a 2-0 win at Sunderland.

“Fresh from Hammering title-holders Arsenal, owner Tony Bloom has claimed that a top-five finish feels a real possibility this term.

“And with golden oldie Pascal Gross in this form, you will not find many betting against Fabian Hurzeler's men.

“The German midfielder, 35, was the man at the heart of it again. September’s Player of the Month added another assist to his tally before starting the move to clinch the points.

“It was Hurzeler’s men who drew first blood and it was that man Gross at the heart of it. Meeting a flick on from a throw, he played a defence-splitting pass agonisingly in front of the outstretched Hume straight into the path of De Cuyper. And the in-form Belgium international winger kept his cool to slot past Roefs for his fourth of the campaign.

“Sunderland were almost instantly handed a lifeline. Xhaka attempted to set Isidor clear but he was barged over by Struijk 25 yards out. VAR were soon in referee Bramall’s ear, and after several checks of the monitor he gave the Brighton defender his marching orders.

“But despite plenty of huffing and puffing, Brobbey-less Sunderland were unable to find a way through the resolute defence before Hadjam delivered a hammer blow in stoppage time. Roefs’ free-kick was met by Gross’ header and within seconds Georginio Rutter had teed up the Algerian full-back to seal it.”

Louise Taylor of The Guardian, a long-time observer of football in the North East, also appreciated Gross’s work.

“As the Stadium of Light emptied amid a smattering of boos, and frown lines creased the forehead of the Sunderland manager, Regis Le Bris, the Brighton players and their manager, Fabian Hürzeler, prepared to celebrate.

“Undaunted by Pascal Struijk’s second-half red card, Hurzeler’s team had not merely cemented their hold on third place but boosted an already healthy points tally to 13.

“This was not quite as fluent as Brighton’s 3-0 deconstruction of Arsenal before the international break, but no one will underestimate them after this.

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Albion made it four wins from their opening six Premier League games as they beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light. 📸 by James Boardman.

“At the interval, Sunderland were probably relieved that the scoreboard read 0-0. Deep in stoppage time at the end of the first period, Struijk had directed a header against an upright with Roefs beaten.

“A home defence missing the hamstrung Dan Ballard paid the price for a failure to clear when a clever through ball from Pascal Gross – who else? – cued up Maxim De Cuyper to sweep the crispest of low, first-time shots between Roefs and a post.

“The 35-year-old Gross’ seventh direct goal involvement in his last five Premier League appearances had given Hurzeler’s team a deserved lead, but they were soon reduced to 10 men.

“When a poorly positioned Struijk shoved Isidor over as he accelerated towards the penalty area, the £20m summer signing from Leeds denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. Yet despite their numerical disadvantage, Brighton seemed rather too comfortable for the liking of Sunderland supporters.”

The stats pile up for Albion’s German playmaker. On the BBC Sport website, Emma Smith pointed out that “Brighton came into this match as the league's top scorers and the form side in the division before the international break.

“And after scoring ten goals without reply, they have earned three successive league victories for the first time in eight years.

“Only Joao Pedro has been involved in more top-flight goals than Gross this season - and while Sunderland successfully nullified the veteran German creator for 45 minutes, he would not be denied after the break.

“He now has seven goal involvements in six league matches and became the oldest player to provide an assist in three successive Premier League games since Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, aged 38 years and 68 days, in February 2012.

“The fitness of the 35-year-old will be crucial in a busy period for Brighton, with this the first of seven matches in 21 days.”