Brighton 0-0 Brentford: Hosts frustrated as Bees pick up rare away point

Brentford signed off for 2024 by battling to a scrappy goalless draw against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Friday.

The Bees went closest to a winner as Yoane Wissa saw a 14th-minute strike disallowed for offside, following a VAR review, amid a flurry of first-half chances at both ends.

However, neither team’s attackers were at their best in a low-key second half, which saw Brentford dig deep to repel long spells of Brighton pressure, and get themselves over the line for a vital point draw from home.

While Thomas Frank’s side earned just their second away point of the season, and their first since November, Brighton are now winless in six Premier League games.

The draw keeps Brighton 10th in the table, while Brentford climb above Tottenham to go 11th, just two points behind the Seagulls.

FT: We have to settle for another point.

[0-0] #BHABRE // #BHAFCpic.twitter.com/k027xD3X6S

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 27, 2024

Data Debrief: Misfiring Joao Pedro adds to Brighton woes

Frank will be delighted to head back to the capital with a rare point away from home, but Fabian Hurzeler will be left looking for answers, due to his underperforming attack.

With Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson missing through injury, there was even more focus on Joao Pedro, with the Brazilian leading the hosts’ attack, supported by Kaoru Mitoma, Julio Enciso and Brajan Gruda.

Enciso struck the post early on, and he attempted eight shots in the game, the joint-highest total for a player in the Premier League this season. Gruda created five chances in open play, with the German one of only two players aged under 21 to do so in a Premier League game this season.

However, the main focus was on the central attacking role, as Joao Pedro only managed one shot on target, and an individual xG of just 0.12.

A bright start to the campaign included four Premier League goals in his first six appearances, but he has now failed to score in his last six starts.

Brentford were forced to replace regular goalkeeper Mark Flekken with Hakon Valdimarsson due to injury just before the break, and aside from one late save to deny Simon Adingra, the Premier League debutant was relatively untroubled.