Sussex

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Adam Lallana has said the desire to spend more time with his family was the main factor in his decision to leave Brighton at the end of the season after four years with the Seagulls.

Lallana, who turned 36 on Friday, joined from Liverpool on a free transfer in 2020 and he was part of the squad that appeared in European competition for the first time in Brighton's history earlier this season.

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "I've been speaking to my family throughout the year and the biggest influence on my decision was that my kids needed me. The age they're at, I think they just need me around a bit more.

"'I've been quite selfish throughout my whole career really, where they've had to react to my decisions, and it's a time of my life and career where I need to put them first.

"Having said that, it works for both [club and player]. I really want to leave on a good note and thank everyone at the football club for my time here - it's been a remarkable journey."

Lallana has made 103 appearances for Brighton, scoring four goals but has only started 12 Premier League games in each of the past two seasons.

"I've been in talks with Roberto [de Zerbi] for the past couple of months and he expressed his wishes for me to stay and keep playing," Lallana added. "But after taking a bit of time to think about where the football club's at, and myself having been away from my family for the past four years while I've been here, I just feel it's the right time.

"I want to really enjoy my last week, get a couple of positive results and finish the season really strongly."

Listen to Lallana speak to BBC Radio Sussex Sport here

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Newcastle and Brighton.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

John: It seems that Newcastle are unable to play well for 90 minutes. It's either a good first half and a bad second half or the other way round. Too many look like they've run out of steam. At least some bodies are starting to reappear but they're short of match fitness.

Joe: I hope Almiron has played his last game for NUFC - why you'd dive in that situation is beyond me. Could cost us Europe.

Richard: One of those games where you know you ought to have won it but the ball just wouldn't go in the back of the net. I'm not sure I'd even say we were slow or off the pace - it was just not going to happen. I can't fault the effort of the team as they tried but Brighton just held firm, alas. You'll get games like this and at least Europe is still possible.

Brighton fans

Rosie: Shame to see our extremely faint European hopes completely disappear, but at least we can take comfort in knowing that we have ended the season with some sort of pride.

Noddy: If we had a fully-fit squad we would have been top four easily. Both teams suffered injuries and both coped well. Was a game there for the taking by either team. Ref even had a good game. Both pen shouts were both dives and rightly yellowed. Enciso could and should have finished the game first half with the chances he had. Improvement all round.

Bob: A good result, played with a bit more nous. Scrappy but still had our chances. Newcastle struggled to break down our defence and a point was a fair result.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Also, listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham United v Luton Town

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi is still being considered by Bayern Munich as a candidate to replace outgoing manager Thomas Tuchel. (Sport Bild), external

Albion, Everton, Inter Milan and Wolfsburg are considering a move for 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar and Japan full-back Yukinari Sugawara. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Barcelona boss Xavi has raised uncertainty about Spain forward Ansu Fati's future at the club, with the 21-year-old set to return following his loan stint at Brighton. (Goal), external

Want more news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

After a superb top-six finish last season, it is a top-half finish that Brighton will aim for in their final two games of the season following their hard-fought draw against Newcastle, when they host two more European hopefuls in Chelsea and Manchester United.

Roberto De Zerbi's side were able to build on their improved performance in ending a six-match winless run against Aston Villa last time out by spoiling Newcastle's final home game of the season.

Despite being second-best for large parts of the opening period, the Seagulls hit the front at a noisy St James' Park and, despite the blow of conceding so late in the first half, ground out a point that keeps them 10th in the standings.

Making only his fourth Premier League start this season for a Brighton side that has been disrupted by injuries throughout the campaign, Julio Enciso was unable to make the most of his decent opportunities in a promising display.

De Zerbi will now hope his side can end the campaign - one which witnessed the club’s first European adventure - on a positive note in front of their supporters.