A classy Adingra brace buries Brentford as they struggle to score without Ivan Toney

The game started with Brentford pressing extremely high and preventing Brighton from playing their passing game like they usually do. This press nearly worked to perfection from the Bees, but they struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities after they won the ball back. The first big chance of the game fell to Joao Pedro who made a brilliant run through the Brentford defence and was picked out by a beautifully weighted pass from Gilmour, but his shot was placed inches wide. While Brentford continued to press, Brighton began to find their feet creating more and more chances. A clumsy foul from Ajer saw Gross’ wide free-kick drift just wide of the far post (what a goal that would’ve been) before a quarter-back style pass from Steele found Adingra, one touch past Ajer and a second to curl the ball beyond Flekken into the empty net. 1-0 Brighton after 19 minutes. The seagulls continued to push forward for a second goal with driving runs from Joao Pedro, but this left them vulnerable at times and could’ve easily gone behind if it wasn’t for poor finishing and Veltman’s superb goal line clearance to deny Lewis-Potter from sweeping home Wissa’s unselfish pass. An exciting and end to end first half came to end with Brighton going in 1-0 up.

The standout players from the first half were Brighton’s Adingra, Gilmour and Joao Pedro who all combined fantastically to produce some slick football.

The second half resumed with both side making substitutions, Evan Ferguson coming on for Julio Enciso (Brighton) and Baptiste and Jensen replacing Dasilva and Janelt. The pattern of the game seemed to continue throughout the second half with Brentford still pressing and creating chances which they just couldn’t finish. Their best chance came from a block by Veltman which fell kindly to one of the Bee’s midfielders, but his smashed shot was well saved by Steele. Around 60 minutes had been played, both sides had created a few half chances, so the score remind the same. However, intricate play from Ferguson, Gilmour and Joao Pedro found its way to Alzate who calmly fired a pass out to Adingra on the left, one touch to cut inside, another to push the ball towards the 6-yard box and a final one to cooly slot the ball into the bottom corner. 2-0 Brighton and a brace for Simon Adingra. More substitutions continued to be made by both teams with players such as Mitoma Estupinan, Dahoud, Damsgaard, Mee and Caicedo entering the pitch for some valuable pre-season minutes. Brentford hadn’t given up and they tried to find a way back into the game with Mbuemo’s quick feet inside the box but after a relatively clear foul from Webster was waved away, that looked to be it for Brentford with little time remaining. The Sussex side looked for a third goal and after chances from Undav and Ferguson were placed wide, they probably should’ve put themselves further ahead. A few more good saves from Steele and that was full time.

A very exciting game ended 2-0 Brighton with Adingra bagging a brace and while Brighton continues to impressive, Brentford look like they could struggle this season without their main man Ivan Toney.