If both Brentford and Brighton currently appear part of the Premier League furniture, being established in the top tier is a contract written in disappearing ink. Their owners, Matthew Benham and Tony Bloom, estranged former associates, have cracked the alchemy of the transfer market, and are much admired for doing so. Taking the next step forward is a yet more difficult discipline, proving much harder for both.
In the battle between teams kicking off in 10th and 11th, Brentford were more progressive, dangerous and calm, only to weather a late storm from an opponent down to 10 men to win 4-2. Christian Nørgaard’s injury-time header from Mathias Jensen’s cross completed victory in a chaotic game, closed out with over 20 minutes of added time after a late collision between Yunus Konak and Jan Paul van Hecke. Brighton’s Dutch defender was carried off while being treated with oxygen and in a neck brace.
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