Brighton 0-0 Brentford: Julio Enciso misfires in stalemate at the Amex

Report and free match highlights as Brighton and Brentford play out a goalless draw at the Amex; the visitors lost Mark Flekken to injury before half-time; Julio Enciso had eight shots at goal in the first half; Brighton stay in 10th, while Brentford move up one place to 11th

Richard Morgan

Football journalist @Richiereds1976

Saturday 28 December 2024 09:50, UK

A combination of Mark Flekken's excellence and a misfiring Julio Enciso ensured Brighton's winless Premier League run extended to six games after being held to a goalless draw by injury-hit Brentford at the Amex.

Enciso, making his first league start under Fabian Hurzeler, struck a post early on, one of eight shots the Paraguay striker had in a first half dominated by the home side, while Yoane Wissa did see his effort ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee for a close offside.

Brentford No 1 Flekken - who has made more saves than any other 'keeper in the top flight this season - was in inspired form between the posts though to keep the scoreline goalless, even after the Dutchman was forced off with a groin problem nine minutes before half-time.

Thomas Frank, meanwhile, was unhappy Brighton forward Joao Pedro was not sent off with a quarter of an hour to go after lashing out, but not making contact with a swinging elbow with Yehor Yarmoliuk.

Should Joao Pedro have seen red?

"If we look at the laws of the game as it's written, it has to be to strike an opponent or attempt to strike an opponent," ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, said on Amazon Prime.

"Because there was no contact he can't be sent off the field of play for the contact. Therefore, it's whether he attempted to strike the opponent. The more I look at it, because it's an unusual action, especially from behind he is looking towards Andy Madley when he swings his arm. He keeps his arm quite close to his body and I think it's more of a gesture to the referee.

"Andy Madley is in a very good position. He couldn't have been sent off for the contact but he could have been sent off for the attempted contact. I believe it's a gesture more than an attempted strike.

"I think Joao Pedro makes a gesture to the referee but if he wanted to swing and use brutality he would have swung his arm out and created contact."

"I think it was a red card," said the Brentford manager. "You can't swing your arm like that. Hit or no hit, it is a red card."

And things got worse for the Bees when a limping Ben Mee then also had to be replaced with 12 minutes to go as their number of walking wounded increased to 11 players, with centre back the absolute last position Frank could afford an injury to.

But the visitors held firm to end a run of three straight league defeats, picking up just their second league point on the road this campaign, while Brighton's wait for a top-flight victory stretches back to November 23, when they were fifth, five places below where they are now.

Bees show they have mentality to cope with ever-growing injury list

Analysis by Sky Sports' Rich Morgan:

"Brentford boss Thomas Frank was both exasperated and proud after his side's goalless draw at a foggy Amex on Friday night.

"Exasperated as he lost two more key members of his back line to take their total number of injured players to 11.

"'To lose your goalkeeper and now Ben Mee. We now have 11 out so that is perfect,' he said after the game.

"But proud as the visitors secured a hard-fought draw for just their second top-flight point on the road this season: 'Top mentality. Players are ready to come in and contribute.'

"And now all Frank has to do is work out how to get 11 fit players on the field when of all teams, second-placed Arsenal visit the Gtech on New Year's Day."

Enciso shows flashes of former self on long-awaited league start

Analysis by Sky Sports' Rich Morgan:

"Incredibly, Julio Enciso's last Premier League strike for Brighton was his stunning long-range effort against Man City in May 2023 that won goal of the season that campaign.

"The Paraguay forward missed most of last season with a knee injury that restricted him to just 12 top-flight appearances, meaning his start against Brentford at the Amex on Friday was his first in the league under Fabian Hurzeler.

"And the 20-year-old almost made the dream comeback when hitting the post early on, one of eight efforts he had at goal before the break, although that was the closest he came to scoring all night as his attempts became more desperate.

"Not surprisingly, Enciso was replaced with 12 minutes to go after fading in the second half, but if Hurzeler and his coaching team can now get him back up to speed, he could be a key attacking ingredient in Brighton's push for Europe in the second half of the season."

What the managers said...

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler speaking to Amazon Prime:

"Very disappointed feeling and not a great atmosphere. It is our fault and we need to learn how to win these games.

"It's about sticking together and finding the right solutions. It is important to stay positive. We created a lot of chances, and they wanted to score. Good phases but not a good 90 minutes. This is a business where you need to get results.

"The last six games, all of them were quite similar. We deserved much more."

On the possible red card for Joao Pedro: "For me it was not a red card. Have you played football? You try and get free."

Brentford boss Thomas Frank speaking to Amazon Prime:

"We never play for one point in any game. Sometimes you need to look into the circumstances. They are a very good team and it was a game of two halves.

"We were really on top but just missed the clear path to create one or two more chances."