Brighton and Brentford played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in a European qualification six-pointer, with Alexis Mac Allister rescuing a point for the Seagulls with a last-minute penalty. The match saw both sides leapfrog Liverpool in the race to secure continental competition for the first time next season. The first-half alone was breathless as Brentford saw goals from Pontus Jansson and Ivan Toney cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck. When visiting defender Ethan Pinnock prodded his side back in front, Bees boss Thomas Frank must have thought lightning could not strike for a third time. But of course it did with Argentine Mac Allister keeping his cool to net his tenth goal of the season on all competitions.
Brighton and Brentford have been enjoying their days in the Premier League sunshine after spending the bulk of their history in the lower divisions. They have not just been making up the numbers, nor struggling. Brighton have even reached the FA Cup semi-finals. Attention and respect are hard-earned by clubs of their ilk, while the so-called glamour clubs bathe in it. But it has certainly come the way of the Seagulls and Bees this term.
The hosts have not missed a step under Roberto De Zerbi, being praised for the quality of their football and recruitment. The visitors have also drawn plaudits for similar reasons with their direct, pressing, organised style and bargain buys such as England striker Ivan Toney and German winger Kevin Schade, a January signing, who made their senior international debuts over the latest break.
That respect has been reflected in both De Zerbi and Frank being linked with the vacant Spurs job following the departure of Antonio Conte from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Sunday, and Kaoru Mitoma and team-mate Evan Ferguson reckoned to be Manchester United targets, while host of Bees players – including Toney and goalkeeper David Raya – having garnered enough kudos to be the subject of possibly leaving west for North London.
The match started with Brighton, Brentford and Liverpool on 42 points, but it ended with the first two of them dreaming that even a Champions League spot might be within their grasp. Brighton twice went close to going in front for the first time in the closing stages of the first half. Alexis Mac Allister curled a shot from the edge of the box which Raya clawed away and centre-back Levi Colwill headed over from close range.
Bees hit the front for a third time through Ethan Pinnock within four minutes. The centre-back was allowed to drift into the six-yard box unopposed to stick out a leg to divert a Mbeumo free-kick into the net. Brighton had a couple of half-chances with March, twice, and Welbeck going close but Bees’ game management was superb as they frustrated the hosts. Yet the Seagulls kept coming forward and a superb run and ball from World Cup winner Mac Allister saw right-back Joel Veltman forcing Raya into action with a rasping drive.
And the Spanish international keeper denied a close-range March head as Bees set back and soaked up the pressure. But Mac Allister equalised from the spot in the last minute after Bees defender Aaron Hickey was adjudged to have handled a close-range effort from substitute Facundo Buonanotte after a VAR check.