Brentford and Brighton rolled zeroes at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday as two unpredictable teams produced perhaps the most unpredictable score line for a game between them.
Two very attack-minded teams produced under two expected goals, and Brentford kept a rare clean sheet while being out-attempted 24-5 including six shots on target.
WATCH BRENTFORD v BRIGHTON FULL MATCH REPLAY
Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken made six saves in a clean sheet draw, and the Bees moved six points outside the bottom three with seven games to play.
Brighton’s point is its 43rd and the Seagulls sit ninth, five points behind sixth-place Manchester United and three ahead of 12th-place Chelsea.
Tale of two halves leads to no goals
Brentford were ready for the first half, countering the possession-happy Seagulls and coming close to finding their way onto the score sheet. The second half, however, was a different story. Brentford could not do much when they managed to get the ball off of Brighton, and Mark Flekken’s half-dozen saves kept the point coming to the hosts. Brighton took 15 of its 24 shots in the second half, when Flekken made half of his saves. This was a good day for the Brentford keeper, who at times had struggled to fill the boots of David Raya this season.
Brentford 0-0 Brighton player ratings (fotmob.com)
Brentford 0-0 Brighton player ratings (fotmob.com)
Brentford 0-0 Brighton player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Brentford head to Aston Villa at 10am ET Saturday before Brighton host Arsenal at 12:30pm ET.
How to watch Brentford vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:30pm ET, Wednesday (April 3)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Brentford 0-0 Brighton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Brentford vs Brighton final score: 0-0
Goalscorers: None.
Halftime — Brentford 0-0 Brighton
Lewis Dunk wanted a penalty before halftime, but VAR review shows that Dunk committed the first of two fouls on Yoane Wissa before the latter returned the favor.
Shots are 10-2 for Brighton but Brentford’s supplied danger with its rare forays toward the Seagulls’ goal.
Ivan Toney comes close
Brentford’s top striker dribbles toward goal and looks to have been chopped but keeps his feet.
His stumble allows only a minor hit that Verbruggen stoops to save.
At the other end, Joao Pedro has an equally tepid effort to Mark Flekken.
Mostly Brighton but Bees show some buzz
The Seagulls have had a lot of the ball here, though Brentford have not been shy when coming into small bits of possession.
Mathias Jensen fizzes in a cross that Bart Verbruggen claims in the Bees’ best bit of danger yet.
Brentford lineup
Flekken, Roerslev, Ajer, Zanka, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Wissa, Toney.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen, Julio, Van Hecke, Dunk, Veltman, Baleba, Gross, Lallana, Adingra, Julio, Pedro
Brentford focus, team news
Brentford have been missing some big players throughout this season and that is the reason why they’re struggling for points and are hovering just about the relegation zone. A lack of depth has hit them hard but they’re still causing chaos in every single game they play and it feels like as soon as they grab one big win a few more will follow quickly.
OUT: Ben Mee (ankle - out for season), Rico Henry (torn ACL - out for season), Kevin Schade (adductor), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Josh Dasilva (torn ACL - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Christian Norgaard (back), Ethan Pinnock (ankle)
Brighton focus, team news
De Zerbi has had to deal with persistent injury issues but Brighton have some big players back and they have to finish the season strongly if they want to qualify for Europe. That was their aim at the start of the season and after being knocked out of the Europa League in the last 16 stage, their target is to at least the Conference League. They have missed Mitoma badly in recently weeks but Joao Pedro is nearing a return from injury and that will be a big boost and help ease the burden on Danny Welbeck.
OUT: Kaoru Mitoma (lower back), Solly March (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (ankle), James Milner (thigh)
