Brighton & Hove Albion secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Brentford on Saturday, November 22, 2025, thanks to a last-gasp penalty save from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. The match, played at the Amex Stadium, saw Brighton overturn a first-half deficit to leapfrog several teams and move into fifth place in the Premier League table.
Brentford took the lead in the 29th minute when Dango Ouattara was brought down in the box by Carlos Baleba. Igor Thiago confidently converted the resulting penalty, sending Verbruggen the wrong way for his ninth league goal of the season. Thiago's goal was his fourth from the penalty spot this season. Brighton had a chance early in the game when Yankuba Minteh beat Kristoffer Ajer, but Mats Wieffer's shot was saved by Brentford's goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher. Yasin Ajari's miskick drew amusement from the away fans, summing up Brighton's early struggles in the final third.
In the second half, Brighton increased the pressure. Danny Welbeck, who had missed out on an England recall, equalized in the 71st minute with a well-timed finish from a Minteh cross. It was Welbeck's first shot on target of the match. Substitute Jack Hinshelwood completed the comeback in the 84th minute, volleying home after his initial shot was blocked. This was Hinshelwood's first Premier League goal of the season.
The drama wasn't over, as Brentford were awarded another penalty in stoppage time when Maxim De Cuyper was adjudged to have pulled back Kevin Schade. Thiago stepped up again, but this time Verbruggen guessed correctly, diving to his right to save the penalty with his legs and secure the win for Brighton. Verbruggen's save sparked wild celebrations at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton's manager, Fabian Hurzeler, served a touchline ban for the game after picking up his third yellow card of the season in the previous match. He had to watch the game from the stands. Despite being without their manager on the touchline, Brighton showed resilience to come back from behind and secure the victory.
The win extends Brighton's unbeaten run at the Amex Stadium and lifts them to fifth in the Premier League. Brentford, meanwhile, remain in twelfth place after their fifth defeat in six away games this season. Brighton have now won each of their last three Premier League home games where they have trailed at the break. Brentford have lost 11 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.
