A L B I O N G A Z E T T E - ( xxxii )
21 FEBRUARY 2026
BRENTFORD 0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2
PREMIER LEAGUE
at the GTECH COMMUNITY STADIUM, BRENTFORD.
On a run of just 2 wins in their last 15 competitive games, the Albion made the short trip to West London to meet Brentford in a Premier League fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium, the match being broadcast by BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Previous time out the Seagulls had lost 0-3 at Liverpool in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup on the 14 February and for their visit to the Gtech the Albion made five changes to their starting line-up from the Liverpool game, with Bart Verbruggen, Mats Wieffer, James Milner, Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma coming in for Jason Steele, Joel Veltman, Carlos Baleba, Harry Howell and Charalampos Kostoulas.
It was 40 year-old James Milner's 654th Premier League appearance - a new Premier League record, surpassing the previous record of 653 of Gareth Barry.
The Bees last outing was a 1-0 win at Macclesfield in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup on the 16 February and for Albion's visit Head Coach Keith Andrews made eight changes to his starting line-up from the Macclesfield game, with Caoimhin Kelleher, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp Van Den Berg, Rico Henry, Jordan Henderson, Keane Lewis-Potter, Dango Quattara and Igor Thiago replacing Hakon Valdimarsson, Michael Kayode, Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Romelle Donovan, Reiss Nelson and Kaye Furo.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season at the Amex on the 22 November 2025 the Albion beat Brentford 2-1 with the goals coming from Danny Welbeck (71m) and Jack Hinshelwood (84m), whilst Igor Thiago (29m, penalty) netted for the Bees.
Last season's meetings in the Premier saw the teams 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).
After their poor run of results the Albion were looking to get back to winning ways at the Gtech and the visitors started full of running as Lewis Dunk's shot was saved by Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Jack Hinshelwood's shot from distance was deflected by Kelleher, Kaoru Mitoma then had a go but his effort was saved by Kelleher with his legs and Kelleher then saved another shot from Mitoma.
Albion's dominance was rewarded on the half-hour when Ferdi Kadioglu's right-foot volley from 25 yards out slammed against the Brentford crossbar, the ball fell to Diego Gomez who from close-in sent a low shot past Kelleher for Albion's opener. 1-0.
In first-half time added on substitute Nathan Collins messed up his clearance from Hinshelwood's cross, the ball fell to Danny Welbeck who calmly shot home from close-range. It was Welbeck's tenth goal of the season. 2-0. It was Albion's half by a mile and a welcome return to form.
Half-time 2-0.
The second-half opened with Bees Dango Quattara looping a shot over the bar and on the counter Kadioglu found Pascal Gross whose shot was straight at Kelleher. The Seagulls came close to conceding when substitute Joel Veltman diverted a cross towards his own goal but keeper Bart Verbruggen produced an excellent save, diving full-length in deflecting the ball away.
For the most part Albion were able to protect their two-goal advantage, limiting their hosts to one more chance, with Igor Thiago blazing over from close-in.
Final-score 2-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 11 attempts at goal, with 7 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
Brentford had 13 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9.
VERDICT - A much-needed three points and deserved win for the Seagulls at the Gtech and a double for the Albion in the process. All the players contributed and it was fitting for 40 year-old James Milner to complete his 654th Premier League appearance record in this game.
Next up a visit from relegation threatened Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Albion line-up (4-3-3):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Mats WIEFFER (Joel VELTMAN 65), Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Ferdi KADIOGLU; Jack HINSHELWOOD, James MILNER (Carlos BALEBA 90), Pascal GROSS; Diego GOMEZ (Maxim DE CUYPER 76), Danny WELBECK, Kaoru MITOMA.
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Olivier BOSCAGLI, Harry HOWELL, Yankuba MINTEH, Georginio RUTTER, Charalampos KOSTOULAS.
Brentford line-up (4-2-3-1):- Caoimhin KELLEHER; Aaron HICKEY (Nathan COLLINS 45), Kristoffer AJER (Romelle DONOVAN 81), Sepp VAN DEN BERG, Rico HENRY; Jordan HENDERSON (Mikkel DAMSGAARD 67), Vitaly JANELT (Yehor YARMOLIUK 46); Keane LEWIS-POTTER (Kevin SCHADE 46), Mathias JENSEN (Capt), Dango QUATTARA; Igor THIAGO. ~
Subs not used: Hakon VALDIMARSSON (G/K), Kaye FURO, Ethan PINNOCK, Reiss NELSON.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Queensland, Australia).
Fourth Official: Paul Tierney.
VAR Official:Nicholas Hopton.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Mats Wieffer, Ferdi Kadioglu. Brentford: 1 - Yehor Yarmoliuk.
Possession: Albion - 52%. Brentford - 48%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: James Milner (Albion).
Attendance: 17163 (including 1718 Albion fans).
Brighton v Nottinhgam Forest on Sky on Sunday at 13.00