Defeat at Brighton continues Brentford’s poor run

Brighton 3 Brentford 0

Brentford’s play-off hopes suffered another setback as they slumped to a fourth defeat in six league matches.

First-half goals from Anthony Knockaert and Tomer Hemed put Brighton in command and, with the visitors pushing forward, Jamie Murphy was put through on goal to score in injury time.

The Bees had plenty of possession in the second half but struggled to create clear-cut chances, although substitute Sergi Canos had a couple of decent attempts on goal.

The damage was done before the interval, leaving Dean Smith’s side facing an uphill task.

Knockaert started and finished the move that led to Brighton’s 27th-minute opener.

He found Murphy on the left and when the Scot cut inside and returned the ball to the Frenchman, Knockaert fired past keeper David Button and into the bottom corner.

Knockaert had been involved in much of the early action, seeing two efforts flash wide before Brighton keeper David Stockdale produced a fine save to deny Alan Judge.

Hemed shot into the side netting shortly after Brighton went ahead, but he made no mistake with a header two minutes before half-time after Beram Kayal went past Josh McEachran with ease and crossed from the right.

After replacing Sam Saunders on the hour mark, on-loan Liverpool youngster Canos saw one shot gathered by Stockdale and another flash narrowly wide.

That was as good as it got for the visitors, who almost conceded again when the lively Knockaert volleyed over and when he was just unable to connect with a low cross from Murphy, who eventually made it three.

On a brighter note for Brentford, Lewis Macleod finally made his debut when he came on as a late substitute – 14 months after the midfielder’s move from Glasgow Rangers.