Roberto De Zerbi said he had warned of challenges ahead as injuries and fatigue caught up with his side at Fulham.

The Seagulls went down 3-0 after making seven changes to the starting XI.

Head coach De Zerbi alluded to disappointment in the January transfer window and said those who played at Craven Cottage did not have the right energy.

A hugely disappointed De Zerbi said: “We didn’t play well. We deserved to lose the game.

“Fulham played a good game, not an amazing game. They played a good enough game to win 3-0 and they deserved to win.

“I think for us it is a very tough moment but I’m not speaking (only) now about it.

“I am starting to explain the future in September, in October, in November, in January – especially in January.

“Now we can’t change anything. We have to move on to play better, to fight better, to play with different energy.

“To find the right motivation in the last three months of the season. We play a crucial part of the season with a lot of problems.

“We have to be better.

“We played without the energy. In the Premier League you have to play 100% every game.

“You can’t play 60% or 70%.

“For Julio Enciso it was the first game (starting) after six months-and-a-half. JP van Hecke in a midfield position because Moder played 60, 70 minutes in Wovlerhampton.

“Pascal Gross finished the game (at Wolves) with cramp and he couldn’t start the game and play 90 minutes (today).

“Adingra played the African Cup and after that he played 90 minutes three games in a row.

“We can’t lose any more players.”