Bryan Mbeumo scored twice and created another as Brentford recorded their first Premier League home win since December, defeating 10-man Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 in an eventful encounter on Saturday. The result deals a significant blow to Brighton’s hopes of qualifying for European competition next season.
Mbeumo opened the scoring for Brentford in the ninth minute, finishing powerfully after a fine through ball from Keane Lewis-Potter. Brighton equalized just before halftime when Danny Welbeck headed in Mats Wieffer’s cross for his ninth league goal of the season.
The Bees retook the lead early in the second half (48th minute) when Mbeumo’s curling effort took a slight deflection off Lewis Dunk on its way into the net. The Cameroon international then turned provider ten minutes later, setting up Yoane Wissa, whose shot also deflected in, this time off Jan Paul van Hecke, to make it 3-1.
Brighton’s task became harder shortly after the hour mark when striker João Pedro was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after lashing out at Brentford defender Nathan Collins in an off-the-ball incident following a VAR review.
Despite being down to 10 men, the Seagulls pulled a goal back in the 81st minute through substitute Kaoru Mitoma’s deft finish after a through ball from Jack Hinshelwood.
However, Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard secured the victory deep into stoppage time, heading home Mathias Jensen’s free-kick to make it 4-2.
The match was marred by a lengthy delay late in stoppage time following a concerning clash of heads between Brighton’s Van Hecke and Brentford’s Yunus Konak. Both players required treatment, with Van Hecke eventually being carried off on a stretcher.
The defeat leaves Brighton 10th in the table (48 points) and winless in their last five league matches, significantly damaging their European aspirations. Brentford climb to 11th place (46 points), just two points behind the Seagulls.
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