The Media Review: Brentford beaten as home run rumbles on

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The media reflects on another win at the Amex.

Nick Szczepanik

2025-11-23T11:10+00:00

Our penalty saving hero. 📷 by James Boardman.

For some reason, a number of Sunday papers had failed to anticipate the drama involved in Albion’s 2-1 victory over Brentford, and so decided not to send their own reporters to the Amex on Saturday.

Instead they all used the same agency report supplied by George Sessions of the Press Association, who wrote that “Bart Verbruggen was the hero for Brighton after his stoppage-time penalty save from Igor Thiago earned a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Brentford.

“The Seagulls had been set to taste defeat in Fabian Hurzeler’s 50th match in charge after Thiago’s ice-cool first-half spot-kick had the visitors in front.

“Danny Welbeck’s 71st-minute leveller – after he missed out on an England recall this month – sparked a grandstand finish for Brighton with substitute Jack Hinshelwood able to complete the turnaround with six minutes left.

Big 3 points at the Amex 🔵⚪️#BHAFC pic.twitter.com/Kiu0ECli6h
— Danny Welbeck (@DannyWelbeck) November 22, 2025

“Further drama was to follow in stoppage-time as Maxim De Cuyper was penalised for holding onto Kevin Schade by referee Chris Kavanagh, but Thiago was unable to earn Brentford a share of the spoils.

“The casual penalty technique of Thiago came back to bite the Brazil forward as Verbruggen declined to dive until the last moment and saved the spot-kick to spark wild celebrations at Amex Stadium.”

The Sun on Sunday reported that “the Albion head coach had to watch from the stands after collecting three yellow cards this season but was seen celebrating wildly as the Dutch goalkeeper saved his first spot kick as a Seagull.

“The Brazilian had actually converted a first-half penalty to give the Bees a half-time lead, his seventh goal in as many games. But an equally in-form striker, Danny Welbeck, equalised to make it seven in seven for him as well.

“And 20-year-old Brighton sub Jack Hinshelwood hit what proved to be the winner on his first game back after an ankle injury back in September. Sussex boy Hinshelwood scored his first senior goal against the same opponents in December 2023.

“It was not the triumphant return to the Amex hoped for by Bees boss Keith Andrews, who made 33 appearances for the Seagulls as they reached the Championship play-offs in 2013-14.

“Holland centre back Jan Paul van Hecke was equal to most of the aerial stuff. But Brentford’s pace on the break had always looked likely cause trouble for the home defence, and when Dango Outtara raced onto Thiago’s clever flick, reported Manchester United target Carlos Baleba launched himself into a sliding last-ditch tackle that never got anywhere near the ball and felled the man instead.

“Ref Chris Kavanagh had an easy decision to make and Thiago hit his ninth of the season past Verbruggen from the spot.

Photo 1/28

Danny Welbeck and Jack Hinshelwood scored second-half goals to cancel out Brentford's first-half lead, and Bart Verbruggen saved a penalty late in the game to seal victory at a wet and windy Amex Stadium.

“Brighton looked to get back on terms before the interval. But canny Brentford were breaking the game up as their players went to ground at the slightest knock.

“Hurzeler sent Lewis Dunk on at the interval to inspire his men, and it needed Dunk to do some muscular defending as Thiago looked to double Brentford’s lead just past the hour.”

Joe Harston took up the tale in The Sunday Times, writing that “Welbeck brought his side back into the contest, but he had Yankuba Minteh to thank.

“The Gambia winger’s battle against the 6’ 5” Kristoffer Ayer always looked like a mismatch and he eventually got the better of him for the equaliser, dribbling away from goal and launching an inswinging cross to the feet of Welbeck, who had ghosted past his marker to finish first time.

Brighton take on Brentford in an excellent showing at the Amex. Highlights in partnership with @mpbcom. Buy, sell and trade used camera gear. https://bit.ly/MPB457

“Minteh played his part for the winner too. His shot was blocked, but only as far as Hinshelwood, whose volley was not clean, but angled past Kelleher, who saw it late.

“It looked to have ensured that Brighton would take their unbeaten home record to an impressive ten games, but in stoppage time a nudge by Maxim De Kuyper on Kevin Schade was given as a penalty. The home crowd’s fears quickly gave way to elation though, as Verbruggen saved.”

Sam Blitz of Sky Sports noted that “the afternoon started with a Thiago penalty and ended with a Thiago penalty - as the Brentford striker gave the Bees the lead from the spot in the first half - his ninth goal of the season to continue a run of seven goals in seven games.

“Brighton fared better after the break and Danny Welbeck found the leveller with 20 minutes to go.

Bart Verbruggen was the hero as he dived the right way to save Igor Thiago's stoppage time spot-kick. 📷 by James Boardman.

“Yankuba Minteh's glorious cross from the right was turned in by the striker who is set to turn 35 on Wednesday. His chances of an England call-up, after being name-checked by Thomas Tuchel as an option during the international break, have gone up.

“And Brighton completed the turnaround with six minutes to go when substitute Jack Hinshelwood, who had missed the last nine games with a ligament injury, turned home from the edge of the box after the electric Minteh saw a run and shot blocked.

“There would be even more drama to come as Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot when Kevin Schade went down under Maxim De Cuyper's challenge from Keane Lewis-Potter's cross.

“But as Brighton fumed over the decision, Verbruggen sent the Amex into delirium in guessing right by going right.”

Good morning, Seagulls! 🤗 pic.twitter.com/Es6liT5cuC
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 23, 2025

On the BBC Sport website, Alex Brotherton BBC spotted that “Fabian Hurzeler - watching from the stands after picking up his third booking of the season - made history, becoming the youngest manager to reach 50 Premier League games (32 years and 269 days).

“His side certainly did not produce a first-half performance to match that feat - a couple of comfortable saves for Kelleher were the closest they came.

“It has been a mixed season so far for Brighton, but the fight and spirit they showed extended their unbeaten home Premier League run to 10 games.

“They have come back to win each of their past three league home games when trailing at half-time, the others being against Liverpool and Manchester City."