EDDIE Howe has warned Brighton their toughest test is yet to come in the Seagulls' first top-flight season in 34 years.

Boss Howe led Cherries to the Premier League for the first time in 2015 and guided his team to safety in two subsequent campaigns.

He told the Daily Echo: "It's an incredibly difficult league to come into and establish yourself in. There are a lot of pitfalls which you have to overcome.

"We've been in their position in the first year and know how difficult it can be.

"There are a lot of different challenges which you face and I think they have dealt with them very well so far. Full credit to the manager, his coaching team and the players for how they have done.

"They have the second half of the season to come and that is going to be the biggest challenge for them because it's the bit where you have to finally achieve what you set out to.

"But they are doing very well so far."

Cherries beat Brighton in the Premier League and Carabao Cup in September and Howe added: "As the away team, they played with deep lines and made it difficult.

"This time they will be at home but whether they have a different game plan, we will have to wait and see."