Brighton 0-0 Brentford (December 27, 2024) Match analysis

Brighton & Hove Albion were held to a 0-0 draw by Brentford in a mid-table Premier League clash at the foggy American Express Stadium on Friday after dominating the game but lacking the finishing touch.

Fabian Hurzeler’s hosts extended their winless streak to six games and are 10th in the table with 26 points after 18 games, two points ahead of 11th-placed Brentford, who are yet to win away from home this season.

Brighton peppered Mark Flekken’s goal with shots all night after Julio Enciso set the tone in the fifth minute when Joao Pedro, with his back to goal, laid the ball off for the Paraguay international, whose shot bounced off the woodwork.

It was a sign of things to come for the 20-year-old Enciso, whose eight first-half shots were the most by a player in the first half of a Premier League game since Luis Suárez’s eight for Liverpool against Aston in March Villa shot, 2013.

Brentford’s Yoane Wissa celebrated what he thought was a magnificent goal despite the run of play in the first half when he caught Mads Roerslev’s through ball on the counterattack and shot into the top corner, only to be ruled out for offside.

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Flekken limped off the pitch late in the first half with a hamstring injury, which could have been costly as Brighton had had 15 shots while the visitors had two. However, substitute Hakon Valdimarsson and a determined defense restricted Brighton to a point.

Brentford fans called for a red card when Joao Pedro threw an elbow near Yehor Yarmoliuk’s head in the second half after the Ukrainian had dragged him back. But a lengthy VAR review concluded there was no violent behavior as Joao Pedro failed to make contact.

Brighton fans chanted Solly March’s name during an emotional standing ovation as the 30-year-old came on as a late substitute in his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury sustained in October 2023.

Deep into stoppage time, March had a great chance, but there would be no fairytale ending as he fired his shot just over the goal.

It was one of 24 shots on the night for the Seagulls and eight for Brentford, who got into the game but were unable to secure the elusive away win as their two points away marked their worst record in the league so far this season.