Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has dismissed criticism of Adam Webster after last week’s defeat at Chelsea.

Ahead of today’s match with Tottenham, Hurzeler says the defender has been unfairly targeted.

The manager said: ‘First of all, all the people who criticize him or text him critical things on social media, I think we should invite them here and they should have an experience day with Adam Webster – how professional this man is, how helpful this man is, how supportive, what a great leader he is.

“I think we have to look at the whole situation. He hasn’t played many games so far, especially in the Premier League. Of course he played in the Carabao Cup, but not in the Premier League. Then he gets his chance, he came in and I think mistakes happen and there will always be mistakes, otherwise there will be no goals.

“He made an easy mistake, he knows that, but I think we should not judge the player and the person after he made one easy mistake because I see the whole context. I see the person behind this player and he is an incredible player for us. He’s an incredible leader for us. He is so helpful to teammates.

“He is so helpful to his teammates and he has already made great plays for this club. I will always protect him and I will give him the faith he needs and the trust he needs.

“I don’t have to talk to him about the easy mistakes, because in the end he knows. He is mentally strong enough to move on from these mistakes and these things.

“Ultimately, it is also important for development to experience bad things, because if you only experience positive things, you cannot develop yourself and it is part of life, making mistakes.

“It’s important to learn from it and it’s also important to look into the future, not live in the past and stay positive and still believe in it.

“He has the belief of me, of all my coaching work and of his teammates and I am very happy to have him here on the team.”