Gómez and Gross lift Brighton to second with win over 10-man Brentford

Brighton moved into second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 home victory over Brentford on Sunday, with Diego Gómez and Pascal Gross scoring before half-time. The Guardian's match report said the visitors played with 10 men after Igor Thiago's dismissal, leaving Keith Andrews' side trying to contain an increasingly dominant Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

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The result completed a successful return home for Fabian Hürzeler's team after five consecutive away fixtures. Their previous two outings had produced victories at Manchester City and Getafe. Brentford, meanwhile, were unable to end their wait for a first Premier League win at Brighton's ground, despite keeping the hosts from adding to their two first-half goals.

Gómez opened the scoring with a shot past Caoimhín Kelleher after working the ball between his feet. Brighton's task became easier when Thiago was sent off following a confrontation with Chema Andrés in midfield. Referee Michael Oliver initially showed the Brentford forward a yellow card for a shove, but the decision was upgraded after video assistant referee Stuart Attwell intervened over violent conduct.

Gross then converted a penalty after Keane Lewis-Potter pulled Luka Vuskovic's shirt inside the area. Andrews subsequently criticised his team's defending at the set piece, while also expressing frustration with the review that led to Thiago's dismissal. According to the Guardian, the Brentford manager acknowledged that his players needed to examine their own actions in the incidents that had left them short-handed in defeats.

Andrews introduced Yehor Yarmolyuk and Nathan Collins at half-time, but Brighton continued to control the ball. Their possession share rose above 75% during the match, while Brentford struggled to create sustained pressure. The visitors did win corners, although those opportunities did not produce a route back into the contest.

Brentford avoided another dismissal when Kevin Schade pushed Vuskovic to the ground near the touchline. Oliver and Attwell deemed a yellow card sufficient on that occasion. Brighton finished without increasing their advantage, but the two early goals were enough to secure all three points and their move up the table.

Afterwards, Gross urged restraint over talk of a title challenge, pointing to the narrow margins across the Premier League. Hürzeler welcomed supporters' excitement while emphasising the importance of putting the team first. Brighton's latest win followed their recent away successes, with the hosts maintaining control after Brentford's red card.