Brighton and Hove Albion 2 Brentford 0
Two first-half goals from Diego Gomez and Pascal Gross gave Brighton and Hove Albion all three points against Brentford at the Amex this afternoon (Sunday 8 November).
Gomez blasted home a rebound on 15 minutes and Gross scored from the spot as the Seagulls soared to second place in the Premier League table, overtaking Manchester City.
The Bees lost striker Igor Thiago to a red card after 23 minutes for shoving Chema Andres in the face, blunting their threat and making it easier for Brighton to dominate possession.
Another moment of ill-discipline – a foul on Luka Vuskovic by Keane Lewis-Potter – left referee Michael Oliver with no choice but to award a penalty moments before half-time.
Gross stepped up and sent his spot-kick into the top right corner, beyond the reach of Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
In both halves, Albion peppered the Brentford goal with shots but there were only two really decent chances, with Bart Verbruggen left fairly untroubled in the Brighton goal.
Yasin Ayari, Maxim De Cuyper and subs Mats Wieffer and Jack Hinshelwood were among those to have a stab at adding to the scoreline.
The result means that the Seagulls remain unbeaten at the Amex this season, having won six of their seven matches at Falmer.
Albion head coach Fabian Hürzeler reverted to the team that started the club’s maiden league victory at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
His in-form side – fresh from beating Getafe 1-0 in Madrid – began on the front foot before edging in front in spectacular style.
Costinha’s cross from the right was only partially cleared by Bees defender Michael Kayode and it fell to Paraguay international Gomez.
He took a couple of touches before unleashing an unstoppable effort high into the top left corner of the net from more than 25 yards.
Charalampos “Babis” Kostoulas wasted a golden chance to add a quick-fire second by shooting straight at Kelleher.
Brentford’s hopes of a first Premier League win away to the Seagulls then became substantially harder.
The referee initially booked both players after Brazil international Thiago reacted with annoyance to having his shirt pulled and then being pushed by Andres.
But after checking the pitch-side monitor, Oliver showed Thiago a red card for catching the Spanish midfielder in the face “with force”.
Thiago, who had earlier failed to seriously test Verbruggen with a tame lob, left the pitch with a wry smile before Bees boss Keith Andrews endured further frustration.
Match official Oliver pointed straight at the spot when Lewis-Potter impeded Vuskovic after a corner, leaving Gross to seal the victory from the spot.
Disgruntled away fans chanted “2-0 to the referee” and “Michael Oliver, it’s all about you” before watching their depleted team struggle to get out of their own half for large periods of a low-tempo second half containing just a couple of flashpoints.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk was booked for scything down Kevin Schade, prompting a disagreement with Brentford head coach Andrews.
Bees forward Schade received a yellow card of his own after a petulant shove on Vuskovic and was later unable to connect properly with a Callum Wilson cross.
Brentford were given five minutes of added time to make the home fans anxious but failed to register an attempt on target in the game as Albion eased to another three points.
