Subs gave us energy, says Hurzeler

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Head coach with his verdict on Sunday's 2-1 win against Manchester City.

Bruce Talbot

2025-08-31T17:00+01:00

Fabian Hurzeler makes his point. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Fabian Hurzeler said Albion’s four substitutes ‘spread energy into their teammates and the crowd’ after watching his side come from behind to beat Manchester City and claim their first Premier League win of the season.

Trailing to Erling Haaland’s first-half goal, Hurzeler brought on James Milner, Yasin Ayari, Brajan Gruda and Georginio Rutter on the hour and within seven minutes Milner equalised from the penalty spot – his first Premier League goal since 2019. Gruda then won it in the last minute of normal time.

Hurzeler said, “Sometimes football is not so much about tactics but about energy, intensity and togetherness on the pitch and when the substitutes came on they made the difference. As well as what they do they also spread energy to their teammates and the whole crowd got energised too - and that is very important in football.

“When we equalised we had the belief. The players weren’t happy or satisfied with 1-1, we want to go for the second and I think we deserved the win.”

Brajan Gruda strokes home the winner. 📷 James Boardman.

Hurzeler had special praise for 39-year-old Milner who became the second-oldest goalscorer in Premier League history with his spot-kick success.

“He proved already in training, that’s why he was chosen to take the penalty,” added the head coach. “I am very happy for him, not only for the goal but because he is still a very important personality and player on and off the pitch for us. He brought energy and organised us, so I am happy for him.”

Albion came from behind to beat Pep Guardiola’s side at the Amex for the second successive season.

“Pep is the best coach in the world and it is always a big challenge to face and compete against him. He always had new ideas and you have to adapt. But it's not a one man show, it is a team performance. I am very happy that my players delivered that for us on the pitch. They committed to each other, suffered together and at the end got a very important result for us.”