Stefanos Tzimas: Brighton’s Rising Star Strikes First Premier League Goal in Away Breakthrough
Quick Read
- Stefanos Tzimas, Brighton’s 19-year-old Greek striker, scored his first Premier League goal in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
- Tzimas’s late goal secured only Brighton’s second away victory of the season, lifting them to fifth in the Premier League table.
- Brighton’s tactical shift under Fabian Hurzeler focused on defensive stability, game plan discipline, and overcoming adversity.
- Maxim De Cuyper opened the scoring before Tzimas sealed the win, marking a turning point in Brighton’s away form.
Brighton’s Away Form: A Story of Persistence and Turning Points
For much of the 2025 Premier League season, Brighton & Hove Albion struggled to translate their home dominance into away victories. Head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who steered the club to the fifth-best away record in 2024-25, found his team grappling with inconsistency on the road—averaging just 0.83 points per game in the first six away matches. But on a chilly December afternoon at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, the clouds finally parted. The match ended 2-0 in Brighton’s favor, and at the heart of the celebration was a fresh-faced Greek striker: Stefanos Tzimas.
Who Is Stefanos Tzimas? The 19-Year-Old Who Changed the Game
Tzimas, just 19 years old, came off the bench in the 65th minute, replacing veteran Danny Welbeck. The game was tense. Brighton led by a single goal, courtesy of Maxim De Cuyper, but Forest pressed hard for an equalizer. Then, with two minutes left on the clock, a poor defensive header from Morato fell kindly for Tzimas. Showing composure beyond his years, the teenager pounced—slotting home his first ever Premier League goal and sealing the result. For Brighton, it was more than just a goal; it was a sign that their next generation could deliver under pressure.
Brighton’s management has invested heavily in young talent, but even among their promising roster, Tzimas’s rise feels sudden and significant. Before this match, he had not scored in England’s top flight, and his appearances were mostly limited to late substitutions. Yet, on this day, Tzimas proved he could impact high-stakes encounters. His movement off the ball and instinctive finish were noted by both BBC Sport and The Athletic, highlighting a player who might now feature more prominently in Hurzeler’s plans.
From Frustration to Flourishing: Brighton’s Tactical Evolution
The away fixture at Nottingham Forest was more than a test of Brighton’s resilience—it was a blueprint for the club’s future matches outside the Amex Stadium. Hurzeler’s tactical approach centered on three pillars: defensive stability, adherence to the game plan, and the ability to face adversity. Against Forest, Brighton executed this strategy with precision. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made a crucial save to preserve the clean sheet, while the midfield—reshuffled to omit the error-prone Carlos Baleba—maintained composure and discipline.
Maxim De Cuyper, Brighton’s summer signing from Club Brugge, was instrumental in both defense and attack. His goal in first-half stoppage time reflected the team’s growing confidence and tactical flexibility. Yet, it was the introduction of Tzimas that gave the Seagulls their edge when Forest threatened to equalize. With Brighton registering nine shots in the first 18 minutes—an unprecedented stat for an away side in Premier League history—their intent was clear. But it was Tzimas who delivered the finishing blow.
A Night to Remember: The Impact and Implications
Brighton’s victory propelled them to fifth place in the Premier League, level on points with Sunderland but ahead on goal difference. The win also marked only their second away victory this season, a statistic that underscores the importance of Tzimas’s late strike. For Forest, the defeat snapped a five-game unbeaten run under Sean Dyche, leaving them just one point clear of the relegation zone.
For Tzimas, this match could mark the beginning of a new chapter. Greek football has produced few Premier League stars, and his debut goal is sure to attract attention both domestically and abroad. The timing—coming at a moment when Brighton needed a reliable finisher to complement their tactical overhaul—could not have been better.
In his post-match comments, Hurzeler was quick to praise not just Tzimas but the team’s collective ability to stick to the game plan and endure the inevitable pressure that comes with playing away. “We have to create more of these good moments, we have to be more consistent in possession without losing our defensive stability. That’s the key in these games,” Hurzeler told The Athletic before the Forest match. The manager’s confidence now seems justified, with Brighton unbeaten at home for ten consecutive matches and finally finding their rhythm on the road.
Looking Ahead: Can Tzimas Become Brighton’s Next Big Star?
As Brighton gear up for tough away fixtures against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, the emergence of Stefanos Tzimas could provide the attacking depth and unpredictability needed to challenge for European football. Hurzeler’s willingness to trust young talent—seen in his deployment of Tzimas and other emerging players—may be the club’s greatest asset as the season progresses.
While De Cuyper’s goal set the tone, and Verbruggen’s saves kept Forest at bay, it was Tzimas who delivered the emotional payoff for Brighton’s traveling fans. The Greek striker’s first Premier League goal wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a symbol of the club’s resilience and ambition. As the Seagulls fly higher in the table, the football world will be watching to see if Tzimas can turn a breakthrough moment into a consistent run of form.
Stefanos Tzimas’s debut goal for Brighton is more than a stat—it’s a statement. For a club seeking new heroes and for a manager crafting a bold, youth-driven blueprint, Tzimas represents both the promise and the payoff. If he can build on this performance, Brighton’s ambitions for European football may rest, in part, on his young shoulders.
