Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford played to a frustrating 0-0 draw at the American Express Stadium on Friday night, extending Brighton's winless streak to six games and solidifying Brentford's struggle to secure their first away victory this season.
Despite dominating the match and taking 24 shots, Brighton found themselves unable to convert chances, much to the disappointment of manager Fabian Hurzeler. "It's a disappointing feeling. We have to learn to win these games," Hurzeler lamented after the match. His team remains mid-table, holding 26 points from 18 matches, just two points clear of Brentford, who sit 11th.
The match started with Brighton's Julio Enciso making his mark early by rattling the post just five minutes in, setting the tone for what would be a night of near misses. Enciso's creativity continued, with him taking eight shots throughout the evening, the most by any player in the first half of a Premier League match since Luis Suarez did so for Liverpool against Aston Villa back in March 2013.
Brentford, meanwhile, focused on defense, aimed at securing at least one point after suffering injuries to nine key players before the match. Mark Flekken, Brentford’s starting goalkeeper, had to leave the pitch with a hamstring injury shortly before halftime, leading to 20-year-old Hakon Valdimarsson stepping in for his Premier League debut.
Despite the setback, every effort by Brighton was thwarted by Brentford's fortitude. The Bees had their moments, with Yoane Wissa having a goal disallowed for offside after he found the net on the counterattack, marking another sign of frustration for the visiting side. Manager Thomas Frank expressed dissatisfaction over the disallowed goal, stating, "We never play for one point, but sometimes you have to look at the circumstances of the game."
Brighton converted 15 attempts on goal before halftime but couldn’t find the back of the net. Their continued dominance was evident, especially after the break, as they pressured Brentford’s defense. Though Brentford’s attack appeared lackluster for the most part, they showed signs of recovery as Damsgaard and Wissa came forward, testing Brighton’s backline.
Notably, Joao Pedro's contentious moment of the match cam late when he swung his arm at Brentford's Yegor Yarmolyuk, igniting fury from the visiting supporters who believed it merited a red card. After VAR review, the officials determined no violent conduct had occurred, to the chagrin of Brentford’s manager. "It's frustrating; if you swing your arms to hit someone, it should be considered dangerous," Frank argued.
Brighton's injuries haunted them, with Solly March making his heralded return from knee injury after 434 days on the sidelines. He came on late but could not deliver the match-winning strike, watching his effort sail over the bar from inside the box and sealing frustrations for yet another match.
With the match ending goalless, Brighton's defender Lewis Dunk took to Instagram, reassuring fans, “The wins will come. So good having Solly back too. We all know how hard he’s worked!” This optimistic outlook stands as Brighton prepares to face Aston Villa and Arsenal as they look to turn their season around.
This match presented numerous opportunities for Brighton, who are struggling with rhythm and finishing. The Seagulls will need to find the form shown earlier this season to secure future victories, as their inability to convert chances remains evident. Conversely, Brentford leaves the encounter with their first away clean sheet of the season, adding a degree of comfort amid rising injury worries.