A L B I O N G A Z E T T E - ( xv )
22 NOVEMBER 2025
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 C - BRENTFORD 1
PREMIER LEAGUE -
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Looking to continue their unbeaten home run in the Premier, the Albion welcomed West London outfit Brentford to the Amex, the match being broadcast by BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Last time out in the Premier the Seagulls had drawn 0-0 at Crystal Palace on the 9 November and for the visit of the Bees the Albion had to make one enforced change to their starting line-up from the Palace game, with Olivier Boscagli replacing the injured Lewis Dunk, although Dunk was able to take a seat on the substitutes bench. It was Boscagli's Albion Premier debut.
Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler, celebrating his 50th game in charge of the Albion had to make do with a seat in the West Stand for this one, as he served a one-match suspension, with Assistant Coach Andrew Crofts taking charge of team affairs on the touchline.
In their previous outing in the Premier Brentford had enjoyed an excellent 3-1 win at home to Newcastle United on the 9 November and for their visit to the Amex the Bees made one change to their starting line-up from the Newcastle game, with Kristoffer Ajer coming in for Aaron Hickey.
Brentford Head Coach Keith Andrews was appointed to his position in the summer of 2025, following Thomas Frank's departure to Tottenham Hotspur. Andrews had previously had a spell as an Albion player.
Last season's meetings in the Premier between the teams saw them draw 0-0 at the Amex on the 27 December 2024. In the return fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium on the 19 April 2025 it finished 4-2 to Brentford, with their goals coming from Bryan Mbeumo 2 (9m & 48m), Yoane Wissa (58m) and Christian Norgaard (90+5m), whilst Albion's goals were scored by Danny Welbeck (45+3m) and Kaoru Mitoma (81m).
With heavy rain falling at the Amex, it was the Albion who created the first opportunity when Yankuba Minteh's back-heel fell to Mats Wieffer whose well-struck right-foot shot was turned away for a corner by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Minteh swung the resulting corner into the box, from whence Georginio Rutter's glancing header landed on the roof of the net.
Subsequently, further chances were squandered by the Seagulls as Danny Welbeck and then Diego Gomez blazed shots over the bar. On 29 minutes Igor Thiago's shrewd through pass sent Dango Quattara racing away on the counter but as he entered the penalty area the winger was brought down by the lunging challenge of Carlos Baleba, and Referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to spot. Up stepped Thiago and the Brazilian calmly converted the penalty-kick. 0-1.
Prior to the break Yehor Yarmoliuk volleyed a shot just wide for the visitors and at the other end keeper Kelleher was equal to Rutter's angled shot.
Halt-time 0-1.
Albion made a double substitution at the break, with Lewis Dunk coming on for Olivier Boscagli, who was on a yellow card and Maxim De Cuyper replaced Carlos Baleba. Ten minutes into the half Albion missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise when the ball fell to Welbeck in the box but the in-form striker's shot cleared the crossbar.
It was end-to-end stuff now as Bees substitute Keane Lewis-Potter saw his shot from distance held by Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen and Minteh's fine run ended with his shot being tipped over the bar by Kelleher. Eventually the Albion levelled on 71 minutes when Minteh's cross from the right was turned in by the alert Welbeck as he escaped his markers. 1-1.
Ferdi Kadioglu then shot wide after a superb run from his own half and Brentford's Michael Kayode saw his shot from 20 yards out saved by Verbruggen. The Seagulls took the lead on 84 minutes after Minteh's shot had been blocked the rebound fell to Albion substitute Jack Hinshelwood whose low shot from the edge of the area ended up in the Brentford net. 2-1.
There was more drama to follow in time added on as De Cuyper was adjudged to have fouled Kevin Schade in the box and the Bees were awarded their second penalty of the game. This time Verbruggen became Albion's hero as he saved Thiago's spot-kick, which ensured Albion took all three points.
Final-score 2-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 14 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
Brentford had 10 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9.
VERDICT - Bart Verbruggen, the Albion goalkeeper with that penalty save in time added on was the hero but he was closely followed by goalscorers Danny Welbeck with his seventh goal in seven games and Jack Hinshelwood on his scoring return to the team following his September injury.
Although he only played one half, debutant Olivier Boscagli did well on his first Premier appearance.
This Sunday Albion have a tough trip to Nottingham Forest in front of the Sky Sport cameras.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Mats WIEFFER, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Olivier BOSCAGLI (Lewis DUNK 46), Ferdi KADIOGLU; Carlos BALEBA (Maxim DE CUYPER 46), Yasin AYARI; Yankuba MINTEH (Brajan GRUDA 89), Georginio RUTTER (Joel VELTMAN 89), Diego GOMEZ (Jack HINSHELWOOD 70); Danny WELBECK (Capt).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Diego COPPOLA, Charalampos KOSTOULAS, Stefanos TZIMAS.
Brentford line-up (4-2-3-1):- Caoimhin KELLEHER; Michael KAYODE, Nathan COLLINS (Capt), Sepp VAN DEN BERG, Kristoffer AJER (Aaron HICKEY 80); Jordan HENDERSON, Yehor YARMOLIUK (Mathias JENSEN 80); Dango QUATTARA (Keane LEWIS-POTTER 65), Mikkel DAMSGAARD (Vitaly JANELT 80), Kevin SCHADE; Igor THIAGO. \\\\\\\\
Subs not used: Hakon VALDIMARSSON (G/K), Rico HENRY, Reiss NELSON, Frank ONYEKA, Ethan PINNOCK.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Leicestershire).
Fourth Official: Thomas Kirk.
VAR Official: Tony Harrington.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 4 - Bart Verbruggen, Olivier Boscagli, Brajan Gruda, Diego Gomez.
Brentford: 2 - Dango Quattara, Vitaly Janelt.
Possession: Albion - 64%. Brentford - 36%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Bart Verbruggen (Albion).
Attendance: TBA,
NEXT GAME:
30 NOVEMBER 2025 - NOTTINGHAM FOREST - AWAY - PREMIER LEAGUE = KICK-OFF 14.05. "LIVE" ON SKY SPORTS.