Media review: Back to winning ways against Brentford

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Nick Szczepanik

2026-02-22T10:15+00:00

Kaoru Mitoma was denied a first-half goal during an excellent performance against Brentford. 📷James Boardman.

James Milner setting a new record for Premier League appearances was the obvious starting point for reports of Albion’s 2-0 victory away to Brentford, but most writers were also impressed with the performance of Fabian Hurzeler’s men – and surprised that their recent record had been so disappointing.

A number of papers carried a report by Press Association man George Sessions, who wrote that “Brighton marked James Milner’s record-breaking 654th Premier League appearance with a much-needed win at Brentford.

“The pressure had mounted on the Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler after a run of one league win in 13 and he turned to veteran midfielder Milner in attempt to arrest a worrying run of results.

“Milner’s inclusion meant he moved past Gareth Barry’s previous record of 653 appearances in the competition, and it proved an occasion to remember all round for Brighton after first-half goals by Diego Gómez and Danny Welbeck.

“Gomez scored in the 30th minute to end the visitors’ three-match run without a goal and Brentford captain Nathan Collins was at fault when Welbeck made it 2-0. Collins’ poor clearance allowed Welbeck to fire home for his 10th goal this season before Milner’s special afternoon concluded in the 90th minute with a round of applause from both sets of supporters at the Gtech Community Stadium.”

On BBC Sport, Matthew Howarth was impressed and somewhat bemused by what he saw. “Only Burnley and Wolves had picked up fewer points than Brighton in their last 13 league games prior to this weekend, with the Seagulls' only league win in that period coming against the Clarets on 3 January.

“However, for a team that has appeared increasingly goal-shy in recent weeks, Hurzeler's side did not appear to be lacking confidence in the final third – far from it.

“With the game still goalless, Hinshelwood had a venomous shot unconvincingly parried wide by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who then did well to deny Mitoma in a one-v-one as Brighton dominated the early stages.

“The visitors' second goal – which came after Collins attempted to clear Hinshelwood's delivery with an elaborate flick – may have been a gift, but the 2-0 half-time scoreline was an accurate reflection of the visitors' superiority.

“Hurzeler's team had less of the ball after the restart but were rarely troubled by an uncharacteristically toothless Brentford, whose only effort on target after half-time came from Mikkel Damsgaard's attempted lob in the 87th minute.

Photo 1/25

Two first-half strikes, one from Diego Gomez and another from Danny Welbeck, secured all three points and moved Albion into twelfth position. Club photographer James Boardman was in West London to capture the action.

“James Milner received a rapturous ovation from the away end as he made his way off the pitch. Despite their recent struggles, Brighton are now only six points behind Brentford in the table and only two off 10th-placed Newcastle United.”

Gethin Hicks of Mail Online was equally puzzled. “If this Brighton side is one in crisis under their German boss, you wouldn't have known it,” he wrote.

“One win in 13 read their record heading into the clash. No goals in three matches. Just how they managed a run so barren is a mystery. The Seagulls were back at their fluid, free flowing best on Saturday and found themselves 2-0 up before the interval. In truth, it could have been more.

“Kaoru Mitoma was a joy to watch on the left wing. Poor old Aaron Hickey, hooked before the interval with injury, simply couldn't cope. The Japanese could, and should, have scored the opener when he burst in behind and had a close-range effort saved by Caoimhin Kelleher early on.

“Eventually it was the man deployed behind him, Ferdi Kadioglu, who orchestrated Brighton's first. His long-range, curled effort crashed into the bar on 30 minutes and rebounded to Diego Gomez, who side-footed home.

“Then, on the stroke of half-time, Danny Welbeck ended a run of no goals in seven when he lashed in a chance he simply couldn't miss after some truly calamitous defending from Nathan Collins.

“The version of James Milner who broke the Premier League appearance record this week is far different to the pacey teenager who burst onto the scene all those years ago, but still just as effective.

“Deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, he hardly put a foot wrong. Dirtied, limping and flanked by Brighton's medical staff, he was replaced to a standing ovation from the visiting supporters. Some in the home end rose to their feet, too.

“Milner does not seem like someone who craves the limelight but, on this occasion, it is all his.”

On the Sky Sports website, Noah Langford reported that “a reinvigorated Seagulls side were on top from the off. Gomez converted the rebound from Ferdi Kadioglu's beautiful curling effort to give the away side the lead after half an hour.

“Brighton continued to control proceedings but were gifted their second when first-half sub Nathan Collins mis-kicked a tame Pascal Gross cross into the direction of Welbeck, who poked home with aplomb from point-blank range.

“Brentford's chances were few and far between in the second period - a late own goal scare from Joel Veltman was the only blip in a fantastic defensive performance from centre-back tandem Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk that guided Brighton to their first away win since November, and just their second in the league in 2026.”

Joshua Hall wrote in The Sun on Sunday that “the Premier League’s youngest manager seemed to get things back on track here.

“The opener sparked ironic chanting from the Brighton fans in the away end, who gleefully sang, “how s*** must you be, we’re winning away” to the Brentford support.

“Things got worse for Brentford when full-back Aaron Hickey was taken off with an injury in the 44th minute and replaced by Nathan Collins. Seconds after Collins took to the field, he had gifted Brighton a second goal.

“The centre-half tried to use his heel to flick away a Jack Hinshelwood cross but got it all wrong. His attempted skill saw the ball land dead inside the six-yard box at the feet of Welbeck, who tucked away one of the easiest goals he has ever scored in his career.”