Roberto De Zerbi says he has found a new “family” with Albion after being forced to leave Ukraine.
The head coach saw his side humble Chelsea 4-1 at the Amex.
He succeeded Graham Potter in charge after the invasion of Ukraine – led by Russian president Vladimir Putin – forced him to leave his previous job as Shakhtar Donetsk coach.
Albion fans celebrated his first win in charge of the club.
De Zerbi said: “Today I am very happy for myself, for my staff because we have been through eight really tough months.
“I had already a team, a great team that Putin decided to take away from me.
“In this moment I have found another team. I have to be thankful with the players of Brighton, with the club, how they have welcomed me and how I have felt straight away since the first moment that they trust me.
“To find again a family, an atmosphere that is letting you feel like part of the environment, it’s something very nice and I have to be very thankful to Brighton.”
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