João Pedro escapes red as Brighton’s winning streak against Brentford continues | Premier League

When Brighton staged a stirring comeback in early November, beating Manchester City here and moving into the top four, Fabian Hürzeler would have been forgiven for thinking that being a Premier League manager would be a fairly straightforward affair. But after another disappointing performance from his side, which resulted in six games without a win and Brentford picking up only their second away point of the season, the 31-year-old is having to come to terms with reality.

Despite numerous chances, Brighton were unable to get past Thomas Frank’s strong side, who lost their goalkeeper Mark Flekken to injury in the first half and handed Hákon Valdimarsson his Premier League debut. For all their positivity and possession under Hürzeler, and in the absence of top goalscorer Danny Welbeck – who was sidelined with an ankle injury during their winless run – Brighton lack a top-class attacking talent that was once again on display.

They have now not won at home since the win over City and were lucky that striker João Pedro escaped punishment after the video assistant referee spotted his attempted elbow on Yehor Yarmoliuk, which failed to touch the Brentford substitute. But although Frank complained that the Brazilian had to see red, it was the traveling fans who finally had something to celebrate.

Brighton this week announced plans to move fans away to boost their fortunes here, with Russ Wood – the club’s head of publicity – admitting their prominent position behind the goal was “not ideal”. However, with that not due to happen until 2027 as part of a £40m development of their home stadium, Hürzeler admitted they need to learn how to win such a game after being booed by some sections of their fans.

“You have a right to your opinion,” he said. “Sometimes football isn’t fair. I think we deserve more.”

Brentford are now just two points behind despite a dismal away performance that has seen them draw only once against Everton in eight previous games. They may have failed to give the owner, Matthew Benham, the right to boast over his Brighton counterpart, Tony Bloom, after their long-running feud, which now dates back more than 20 years to when they worked together, though Frank was happy to get some of the spoils, although João Pedro was not penalized towards the end of the second half. “I think it’s a red card – you can’t swing your arm like that even if you’re not making contact,” the Brentford manager said.

Referee panel PGMOL later released a statement supporting Andy Madley’s decision not to show a red card, with VAR finding his decision was “ambiguous and patently wrong”.

As Flekken defended the goal while his fans paid tribute to Benham in the first half, it looked like he was in for a busy night when he passed straight to Carlos Baleba in the first five minutes, but Julio Enciso’s shot hit the post over after being skillfully set up by João Pedro. The Brentford goalkeeper then parried Baleba and then a close-range header from Enciso after feeding Kaoru Mitoma. The ball was in the net 30 seconds later when Yoane Wissa met a cross from Mads Roerslev in a rare foray forward for Brentford, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.

Brighton’s attack continued as Brajan Gruda was next to test Flekken with a free-kick before Matt O’Riley’s shot tipped around the post. The Dutchman required treatment on the groin after clumsily clearing a cross from Mitoma and was unable to continue. That meant a baptism of fire for his successor Valdimarsson, whose only appearances for Brentford so far came in the Carabao Cup.

But in the face of relentless pressure, the Icelandic goalkeeper held firm until half-time as – much to Hürzeler’s frustration – too many of Brighton’s attacks failed. The lanky Valdimarsson’s deft footwork even helped create Brentford’s best chance of the half when he picked out Roerslev but Bryan Mbeumo wasted it.

Increasingly foggy conditions in the second half made things difficult for both sides and the visitors were clearly a match for their opponents. Brighton continued to push forward, but João Pedro should have done much better with a shot that dribbled harmlessly into Valdimarsson’s arms. But the longer they waited for the breakthrough, the more nervous the home crowd became and Brentford’s confidence grew when an acrobatic volley from Christian Nørgaard was deflected wide.

There was a warm welcome for Solly March, who came on as a substitute, as the winger made his first appearance since October 2023 following two anterior cruciate ligament injuries.