Brighton & Hove Albion settled matters before half-time as goals from Diego Gómez in the 15th minute and Pascal Gross from the penalty spot in the 42nd secured a 2–0 Premier League victory over Brentford on Sunday, November 8.
Brentford’s task at the American Express Stadium became significantly harder when Igor Thiago was sent off in the 23rd minute. Brighton made their numerical advantage count, finishing with 75.3% possession and 20 attempts while denying the visitors a single shot on target.
Gómez strikes before Brentford lose Thiago
In front of 31,629 spectators, Brentford received an early disciplinary warning when Kristoffer Ajer was booked after five minutes. Brighton then found the breakthrough through Gómez in the 15th minute, putting the hosts ahead before the contest’s pivotal disciplinary moment.
Chema Andrés received a yellow card in the 22nd minute, and a minute later Brentford were reduced to 10 men when Thiago was shown a red card. Already trailing, the Bees now faced more than an hour a player short.
Olivier Boscagli was also booked in the 27th minute as the cards continued to accumulate. The next decisive contribution, however, came on the goals tally: Gross converted a penalty in the 42nd minute to give Brighton a 2–0 half-time lead.
Brighton keep the Bees at arm’s length
There were no further goals after the interval, but the overall numbers underlined Brighton’s command of the fixture. The Seagulls registered six shots on target from their 20 attempts and won seven corners to Brentford’s three.
Brentford managed only five attempts, none on target, leaving them unable to turn their efforts into a route back into the match. Brighton’s two-goal cushion remained intact through six minutes of second-half stoppage time.
The hosts did collect further bookings, with Mats Wieffer cautioned in the 51st minute and Lewis Dunk in the 61st. Kevin Schade received Brentford’s second yellow card in the 69th minute, alongside Thiago’s earlier dismissal.
Three points and a clean sheet
For Brighton, this was a victory built on decisive first-half finishing and sustained control against 10 men. Gómez’s 15th-minute opener established the advantage, while Gross’s 42nd-minute penalty gave the hosts breathing room they never surrendered.
Brighton next face Hull City on Sunday, November 22, at 6:00 AM PST. Brentford return to action against Everton on Monday, November 23, at 12:00 PM PST.
