Reaction: Hurzeler praises togetherness as Albion beat Man City

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Head coach delighted to give something back to the travelling fans with 1-0 win.

Bruce Talbot

2026-10-31T17:30+00:00

Fabian Hurzeler gives out instructions pitchside at the Etihad. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Fabian Hurzeler believes his players’ belief that they could beat Premier League leaders Manchester City carried them to a statement win at the Etihad.

Albion won for the first time there 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Yasin Ayari. It was backs to the wall at times but the visitors held firm to pull off a statement win that lifts them to within two points of City at the top.

“ It means a lot for the team and for the club,” said Hurzeler. “I said before the game it's about belief, it's about having the confidence to come here and win this game, and I think my players suffered but they stuck together. It was not the easiest game and, of course, in some moments we also had luck, but in the end we always had this conviction that we could win this game.

“I'm really happy and I'm really proud of the players.

“Of course, in certain moments we had to suffer. We didn't have that many ball possession phases like we wanted to have, but I think it's also credit to City that they pressed quite intensely.

Costinha jumps to clear the danger. 📷Paul Hazlewood

“We always tried to go for the second goal. I think at the beginning of the second half we had opportunities. We had one or two chances. I think the biggest one was with Maxim (De Cuyper) and we tried to go for a second. But City tried to equalise. We had a great goalkeeper and a great mindset to defend together, and I think that brought us the win today.

“There’s an old phrase - defence wins you battles and wins you championships. Of course, we're not speaking about the championship, but especially today we needed to have this defensive mindset. It's always a togetherness when you defend like we did.

“In the end, if the team is successful, then of course individuals shine, but we always try to focus on the togetherness.”

Hurzeler paid tribute to the 3,044 Albion fans who gave the team such brilliant backing throughout.

“Coming to this place, against the best team in the league, you need to have belief. And it was just very important that we can give something back to our fans because they had another long travel for the second time here to Manchester after Wednesday.

“We couldn't give them the win then and they were definitely disappointed, but today they are happy. I think that's always the most important thing - that the supporters are always happy and we keep building the connection towards each other and we can keep pushing.”