Brighton’s winless run stretched to six matches as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home by Brentford. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Brighton were unable to break down a resolute Brentford defense, which had to cope with the loss of goalkeeper Mark Flekken to injury in the first half. Flekken was replaced by Hákon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut, and despite the change, Brentford held firm to earn only their second away point of the season.
Brighton’s attacking struggles were evident once again, as they lacked the cutting edge in the absence of top scorer Danny Welbeck, who has been sidelined due to an ankle injury. The home side’s offensive play lacked the sharpness needed to finish off their many chances. João Pedro, who has been a key player for Brighton, was involved in a controversial incident late in the match when he attempted to elbow Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk. The video assistant referee reviewed the incident but decided against a red card, much to the frustration of Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who felt Pedro should have been sent off.
Brighton’s frustration was palpable as they failed to convert any of their attacking opportunities. The match saw several near-misses, including a shot from Julio Enciso that hit the post and a header that was saved by Flekken before his injury. The home side also tested the Brentford goalkeeper with a series of shots, but Flekken kept them at bay until he was forced off. Valdimarsson, despite his inexperience, stepped in admirably and kept Brighton from scoring, even as the pressure mounted in the second half.
Brentford, for their part, had limited attacking opportunities but were able to frustrate Brighton with disciplined defending. The visitors’ best chance of the first half came when Valdimarsson’s quick footwork helped set up Bryan Mbeumo, but the forward squandered the opportunity. Despite being under constant pressure, Brentford remained solid, and Brighton’s inability to break through continued to haunt them.
The second half saw conditions worsen, with misty weather making it difficult for both teams to play fluid football. Brighton continued to press forward, but their attacks lacked the necessary precision. Joao Pedro, in particular, had a golden opportunity to score but saw his shot easily saved by Valdimarsson. As the match wore on, Brighton’s anxiety grew, and Brentford began to feel more comfortable, with Christian Nørgaard coming close to scoring with an acrobatic volley that was deflected wide.
There was a glimmer of hope for Brighton when Solly March made his first appearance since October 2023, following two anterior cruciate ligament injuries. However, his shot in injury time, which went wide, summed up Brighton’s night in front of goal. The home crowd, growing increasingly frustrated, voiced their displeasure as Brighton failed to find the breakthrough they so desperately needed.
Brighton’s poor run of form has left them in a difficult position, with manager Fabian Hurzeler acknowledging the need for improvement. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, they have struggled to convert them into goals, a problem that has plagued them throughout their winless streak. With their home supporters increasingly restless, Hurzeler and his team must find a way to turn their fortunes around before their position in the league is further jeopardized.
