When Brighton & Hove Albion beat Brentford Football Club 2-1 at the Amex Stadium on November 22, 2025, it wasn’t just three points—it was a statement. With seconds left on the clock, Bart Verbruggen, the 23-year-old Dutch goalkeeper, flung himself to his left and denied Igor Thiago’s spot-kick, preserving a comeback win that sent the home crowd into delirium. The final whistle blew at 90+8 minutes, sealing a result that now sits among the most dramatic of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
A Comeback Built on Grit and Timing
It was Thiago who opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, converting a penalty after a handball in the box. The Brazilian striker, described by NBC Sports as “one of the league’s hottest strikers,” had netted 14 goals in 11 games before this match—only Erling Haaland had more. But Brighton didn’t flinch. Just before halftime, Danny Welbeck equalized, his seventh goal in seven consecutive Premier League appearances. That’s not a streak. That’s a statement. The 34-year-old veteran, once written off as past his prime, is now the heartbeat of this Brighton side.
The real magic came in the 78th minute. Jack Hinshelwood, returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out for six weeks, received a diagonal pass from Kaoru Mitoma and curled a left-footed shot past Brentford keeper David Raya. The stadium erupted. No celebration was over-the-top. Just a quiet nod from manager Fabian Hürzeler, arms crossed, eyes locked on the pitch. This was the kind of goal that doesn’t just win games—it changes momentum.
The Save That Defined the Night
Then came the 90+7th minute. A handball in the box. A penalty. The same man who scored the opener—Thiago—stepped up again. The crowd held its breath. Verbruggen, calm as ever, read the run, shuffled slightly left, and got a strong hand to the ball. It bounced off his fingertips, then his chest, and out for a goal kick. The roar that followed wasn’t just relief. It was reverence.
“He was right at the heart of it at the end,” said NBC Sports commentator Rebecca Lo in the highlights. “That save? That’s what separates good goalkeepers from legends.” Verbruggen, who joined Brighton from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, has now made five penalty saves in his Premier League career—more than any other keeper since 2022.
Why This Win Matters More Than the Table
Brighton’s record now stands at 5 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses—19 points from 12 matches. They’re tied for fourth with Sunderland and AFC Bournemouth. But numbers don’t tell the full story. This team has won three of its last four league games. They’ve scored 11 goals in that span. And they’ve now gone unbeaten in their last six home matches against Brentford, who’ve never won at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League era.
Meanwhile, Brentford’s away form remains a disaster. Six losses in their last seven road games. Their only away win this season? Against bottom-placed Sheffield United. “The Bees have struggled on their travels,” Lo noted. “They’ve never won here.” And now, with Thiago missing that penalty, the psychological toll could linger.
What’s Next for Both Sides?
Brighton’s next fixture is Matchweek 13, away at Aston Villa on November 30, 2025. A win there could push them into the top four outright. Hürzeler’s side is playing with a blend of youth and experience few teams can match—Hinshelwood, 20, and Welbeck, 34, on the same pitch, both scoring crucial goals.
Brentford, on the other hand, face a tough run: home to Manchester United, then away at Liverpool. Their 16 points leave them just two above the relegation zone. Manager Thomas Frank has called for “more resilience,” but the truth is, they’re missing a killer instinct in tight games. Thiago’s miss wasn’t just a missed chance—it was a missed opportunity to shift the narrative.
The Amex Effect
The Amex Stadium, located at Village Way, Brighton, BN1 9BL, has become a fortress. Since Brighton’s promotion in 2017, they’ve won 22 of their 38 Premier League home games against teams outside the top six. Brentford’s record here? Zero wins in six attempts. The pitch, the crowd, the atmosphere—it all adds up. And on this night, it was the difference between despair and delight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Bart Verbruggen’s penalty save impact Brighton’s league position?
Verbruggen’s save secured Brighton’s third win in four matches, lifting them to 19 points and into a three-way tie for fourth place with Sunderland and AFC Bournemouth. Without that point, they’d have dropped to seventh, and their European qualification hopes would have dimmed significantly. It was a three-point swing in the final seconds.
Why is Danny Welbeck’s goal streak significant?
Welbeck’s seven goals in seven games is the longest active scoring run in the Premier League this season. He’s the oldest player to achieve this since Alan Shearer in 2004. At 34, he’s defying age norms and proving that experience, timing, and clinical finishing still matter at the highest level.
What’s the historical record between Brighton and Brentford at the Amex?
Brentford has never won at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League, losing five and drawing one of their six visits since 2017. Brighton has scored 11 goals in those matches, averaging 1.8 per game. The home advantage here is statistically undeniable—and now, psychologically reinforced.
How has Jack Hinshelwood’s return affected Brighton’s midfield?
Hinshelwood’s return added creativity and width Brighton lacked during his six-week absence. His match-winning goal was his first since August. His ability to drift inside and combine with Mitoma and Mac Allister has given Hürzeler a new tactical option, turning Brighton from a counter-attacking side into a more balanced threat.
Could Igor Thiago’s missed penalty cost Brentford their top-half hopes?
Absolutely. Thiago’s miss leaves Brentford with just 16 points and a goal difference of -4. They’re now five points behind fifth place. With fixtures against United and Liverpool coming up, every point matters. That penalty wasn’t just a chance—it was a lifeline. Missing it could define their season.
Is Fabian Hürzeler now considered one of the Premier League’s top managers?
He’s certainly rising fast. At 34, Hürzeler has turned Brighton into one of the league’s most consistent mid-table sides. His team now scores more goals than Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man City in the last five games. His tactical flexibility and man-management—especially with veterans like Welbeck—are earning him serious respect across Europe.