Premier League: Classic match at the Amex Stadium
Brighton and Hove Albion 3 - 3 Brentford
Brighton and Brentford played out one of the games of the season as both clubs chase European qualification.
Brighton settled into an early rhythm, keeping the ball well, and looking to get Solly March and Mitoma involved from wide areas.
The returning Jansson was stepping out of defence to shadow Argentina’s World Cup winner, Mac Allister, wherever he went.
That left space in the right centre-back position which Brighton tried to exploit.
A brilliant Pinnock challenge was the only thing that stopped Mitoma from opening the scoring on six minutes - the Japanese winger racing down that channel and in on goal from Moises Caicedo’s through ball.
From the resulting corner, Mathias Jensen got his body in the way of March’s close-range effort.Joel Veltman had Brighton’s next opening, again from a corner, before Brentford took the lead with their first real foray forward.
After sending everyone up for a long throw, Jensen went short before receiving the ball back to curl in a cross which begged to be attacked. Jansson did just that, getting the run on Dunk and planting past Steele from eight yards.
The goal didn’t deter Brighton; Pinnock made another block to turn Veltman’s low drive behind before the hosts levelled with as much of a route one goal as you will see. Jason Steele collected a cross, spotted Mitoma free downfield, and instantly sent the ball his way. Raya retreated into his goal, allowing the Brighton winger to collect the bouncing ball unchallenged, and he lifted home from 20 yards.
However, Brentford reacted brilliantly and were ahead less than 90 seconds later. The front two combined, with Bryan Mbeumo feeding Toney inside the box. The England striker took a touch before burying a low shot past Steele and into the bottom corner.
That wasn’t the end of the scoring in a crazy seven-minute period as Brighton levelled for a second time on the afternoon. Brentford failed to clear their lines and March teased in a pinpoint cross to the back post that Welbeck guided home.
Both sides sensed that attack was the best form of defence and the chances continued to come.
Mbeumo sent an overhead kick skipping wide of the post before Welbeck inadvertently blocked a goal-bound effort inside the six-yard box following Mitoma’s driving run down the left.
What is in store for us this half?
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 1, 2023
🔵 2-2 🐝#BHABRE | #BrentfordFC
Raya made saves from Dunk and Mac Allister, the second at full stretch, either side of a Welbeck shot blocked by Ben Mee, before Levi Colwill planted over the bar from seven yards.
Toney won a free-kick midway inside the Brighton half, Mbeumo floated it to the back post and Pinnock was given the freedom of the south coast to steer home.
Brentford had something to hold onto and they were made to hold onto it through wave upon wave of Brighton pressure.
March had a low shot saved by Raya before the Bees stopper tipped over Moises Caicedo’s powerful drive.
Toney caused many problems for Brighton
Goal - TONEY
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) April 1, 2023
Assist - MBEUMO
Brighton 1-2 Brentford (22 mins)#FPL #BHABRE
Toney could have opened up a two-goal cushion when he was gifted the ball inside the Brighton area but his shot lacked the power to beat Steele from 12 yards.
The game was becoming increasingly end to end. Veltman, Mac Allister and Pascal Gross then tested Brentford's Spanish keeper with straightforward efforts.
Raya was troubled more seriously by a looping, deflected effort which he had to turn behind at his near post. From the resulting corner, Pervis Estupinian delivered in a sublime cross which Lewis Dunk sent flying over the bar from eight yards.
After an afternoon of high drama, there would be another twist
Aaron Hickey threw himself in the way of substitute Denis Undav’s shot inside the six-yard box, deflecting the ball over the bar. Initially, Michael Oliver pointed for a corner with Brighton players pleading for a penalty for handball. Eventually, Oliver was called over to the VAR monitor and awarded the penalty which Mac Allister converted coolly.
The penalty was scored as the game went into six added minutes. There was still time for Caicedo to have a shot blocked by Pinnock and for another handball shout against Hickey in the box, this time waved away, before the referee brought the curtain down on a pulsating clash at the Amex Community Stadiu
An absolute classic ends all square
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 1, 2023
🔵 3-3 🐝#BHABRE | #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/UjXPtiTRkx
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Let's explore some of the best reaction
Gavin, a Brentford fan, really enjoyed the match. He told us: "Regardless of the score, I love how this is a European spot battle. You love to see it and the scoreline is even better."
Dino added: "Brighton has a really interesting team at the moment. Hopefully, they can keep the star players next year."
Peter, a Brighton fan, added: "That was an incredible game of football. A win would have been massive for us, but that was such an enjoyable game."
