Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler did not want to be drawn on his side’s increasing injury list as their winless run stretched to four matches following a 0-0 draw with Sunderland.

The home side were under pressure in the first half and struggled to create meaningful chances for the whole match, only going close with efforts from distance, as they dropped to ninth in the table.

Brighton were without Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke and Danny Welbeck, but Hurzeler believed his side contained more than enough quality to win the game and revive their European ambitions for the rest of the season.

When asked about injuries, the Austrian said: “It’s no excuse.

“Of course, these players are important enough, but we still have a strong squad."

While left disappointed about dropping points again, with his side failing to score at home for the first time since April, Hurzeler acknowledged that the result was worth taking in relation to Sunderland’s performance and position in the table.

He said: “We are frustrated, but we have to understand that Sunderland were a good side today, they played well, and it is not a surprise that they are where they are in the table.

"We have to realise that there are big opportunities in the game. The first half was not great to watch, and in the second half, there were enough chances to win the game.”

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris believed his side’s display was worthy of more than just a point.

The Black Cats have now already accumulated more points than any other promoted side over the last two seasons in the Premier League, and they went close to going in front in the first half, as Omar Alderete and Romaine Mundle both had efforts saved by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

He told BBC Sport: "The atmosphere in the dressing room was a bit disappointed [that we didn't win], which was a good sign for the future.”

Sunderland have kept six clean sheets in their 17 Premier League games this season, as many as they did in the whole of their last campaign in the top-flight (2016-17).