Brighton tightened their grip on second place in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Brentford on Sunday afternoon.
The Seagulls opened the scoring after just 15 minutes with another Diego Gomez wonderstrike. This time, the Paraguayan unleashed a half-volley from the edge of the box that beat Caoimhin Kelleher all ends up.
Brentford landed further in trouble just eight minutes later as Igor Thiago was shown a straight red card after a VAR review showed an apparent push in the face of Chema Andres. And just before half-time, the match was effectively settled as Pascal Gross expertly converted a penalty — drawing level with Mesut Ozil for the most Premier League goal involvements by a German player (87) in the process.
More Brighton magic
Brighton have been the stars of the show this season in the Premier League, with their 26 goals scored at least five more than any other side — coupled with the division’s second-best defensive record.
There is so much discipline and structure to how the Seagulls play, but perhaps what is most entertaining is their willingness to try things from distance and conjure something from nothing.
That was what happened again here as Gomez controlled the ball and rifled it home into the top corner from outside the area. Of course, we all remember what happened in Brighton’s previous home game, when the 23-year-old scored a remarkable goal from the halfway line.
Brighton have now scored six goals from outside the box in the Premier League this season, which is more than any other side and 23.08% of their total goal haul.
Even sitting in a deep defensive shape, you’re never safe against Fabian Hurzeler’s spectacular side, and that is a huge reason why neutrals have taken to them so well this campaign.
Brentford beat themselves
Referee Michael Oliver was the subject of the majority of songs from the travelling Brentford support on Sunday, with the Bees’ faithful unhappy at Igor Thiago’s red card, the penalty against Keane Lewis-Potter, and the effect those incidents had on the match.
To be fair to the away supporters, the red card was incredibly soft, and Chema knew exactly what he was doing once Thiago made contact, even if the letter of the law does require a straight red.
Even the penalty wasn’t what you’d call nailed-on. Lewis-Potter got hold of Luka Vuskovic‘s shirt, but the giant defender made sure he threw himself to the ground and drew maximum attention from the referee.
But when all is said and done, it is the Brentford players who gave the referee and VAR decisions to make. Thiago didn’t need to raise his arms, and Lewis-Potter should have kept his hands off Vuskovic.
Brighton were still well in control of the match before Thiago was sent off. However, Brentford did enjoy pockets of pressure, especially either side of the opening goal. They were competitive and looked capable of catching the hosts off guard.
A hill became a mountain when Thiago was given his marching orders. And that mountain became an atmospheric escape attempt once Gross converted the penalty just before half-time.
Brentford have made an excellent start to the season, but their own mistakes cost them here. And given the Bees now have a league-high three red cards to their name in 2026/27, perhaps there is a weakness that Keith Andrews needs to look at.
Brighton’s title challenge builds
The cliché would be to dismiss Brighton’s title hopes at this stage. Only 10 games have been played, and the Seagulls still have plenty of European demands to navigate as we head into winter.
However, the table doesn’t lie and they are now the closest challengers to leaders and defending champions Arsenal, who sit just five points clear at the summit.
What really makes this feel like a head-turning result for Brighton is the increased pressure put on them by the fact that Manchester City lost again on Saturday. Players and supporters alike knew that an opportunity had presented itself and second place was there for the taking with another victory. To take that opportunity just a week after actually beating Man City felt like a statement.
As mentioned, Brighton have scored more goals than any other team in the Premier League this season, while only Arsenal have conceded fewer. Their +19 goal difference is at least nine better than anybody else’s.
Brighton are the most entertaining side in the league. They’ve beaten Arsenal and Man City without conceding a goal. And they’ve taken control of second place without incident when many other unfancied sides may have slipped up.
Title contenders? It’s becoming increasingly difficult to deny it.