Despite the result on Tuesday night, the two biggest stories of the night once again came from Albion’s spending spree.
Off the pitch the signing of Ferdi Kadioglu will delight fans who had been clamouring for Brighton to announce the £25 million deal for weeks.
But on the pitch the injury to Matt O’Riley will prove deflating as the club waits with bated breath for an update on his ankle.
Fabian Huerzeler was not happy with the physicality which marked Crawley’s game and warranted at least the red card to Jack Roles deep in injury time.
He said the tackle on Albion’s new roaming midfielder was “much too late” and a “clear red card”.
But he also said that his team needed to find a way to deal with that aggression.
He said: “We have to accept how they [Crawley] play and it’s not nice if players are injured but that is their way of playing and we have to find a way to deal with it.”
Read More: Huerzeler gives injury update on O'Riley after 'clear red' challenge cut short debut
Crawley boss Scott Lindsey apologised after the game for some of the aggression that his team showed.
Speaking after the game he said: “We didn’t mean to be aggressive. I would like to apologise if we kicked any of their players.
“I know the one from Jay Williams where [O’Riley] came off we didn’t want that and maybe the referee missed that.
“On second watch I think maybe something should have been done about that.
“I wouldn’t want any of their players to be hurt. As a leader of my group of men I apologise for that.”
Despite the performance, Albion fans will be looking forward to seeing new man Ferdi Kadioglu after he stepped onto the Amex pitch pre-match.
Read More: Albion through against Crawley but new signing O'Riley injured
Leading up to the game social media reaction had been awash with two words – “announce Ferdi” – and supporters got their wish.
Huerzeler was incredibly complimentary of the full back’s flexibility and hinted he could be in the squad as soon as Saturday at the Emirates.
He said: “He is a player who fits perfectly in our profile. He is a great character and an open mind, he always tries to improve.
“He came in the building and gives us a lot of positivity and a lot of smiles.
“On the pitch he has a lot of flexibility and does a lot of running. We saw in the Euros that he never gives up; he is a fighter.
“Now we try to integrate him as quickly as possible and hopefully he can be part of the squad, maybe already at the weekend.”
Heads will now turn back to the Premier League and Arsenal. But there is still much to unpack before then.
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