Brighton climbed to second in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 victory over 10-man Brentford at the Amex Stadium.
Goals from Diego Gomez and Pascal Gross secured a sixth win in seven league matches, allowing the Seagulls to move above Manchester City following their slip-up at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Returning home after five consecutive away fixtures across all competitions, Brighton needed just 15 minutes to take the lead.
Gomez collected a loose ball around 25 yards from goal and unleashed a superb left-footed strike into the top-left corner, leaving Caoimhin Kelleher helpless.
It was another memorable finish from the Paraguay midfielder, whose previous goal this season came from the halfway line against Crystal Palace last month.
Brentford’s task became considerably harder eight minutes later when Igor Thiago was dismissed following a clash with Chema Andres.
Referee Michael Oliver initially booked the Brazilian forward, but upgraded the punishment to a red card for violent conduct after reviewing footage showing Thiago’s arm catching Andres in the face.
Brighton strengthened their grip three minutes before the interval.
Keane Lewis-Potter fouled Luka Vuskovic inside the penalty area, allowing Gross to double the advantage from the spot.
The visitors offered little prospect of a comeback and finished without a shot on target.
Their hopes of a first Premier League victory at Brighton were comfortably extinguished as a second league defeat of the season dropped them to eighth.
Brighton’s brilliant start fuels growing ambition
Brighton’s seventh league victory of the campaign leaves them five points behind leaders Arsenal after 10 matches, giving supporters plenty of reason to dream.
Fabian Hurzeler’s team lead the division for goals scored and possess its second-best defensive record, combining attacking quality with solidity at the back.
Thiago’s early dismissal undoubtedly eased their path against Brentford, but Brighton had already established control and were causing problems before the visitors were reduced to 10 men.
Hurzeler may remain cautious about talk of a title challenge, yet his side’s results are making that conversation increasingly difficult to ignore.
With confidence rising and victories arriving regularly, Brighton head into the international break firmly among the Premier League’s leading contenders.
