Brighton & Hove Albion produced a controlled 2-0 victory over Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday evening, with goals from João Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma securing all three points at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton dominated large spells of the match, pressing aggressively and moving the ball with purpose. Brentford had moments of threat on the counter-attack but struggled to create clear chances against a well-organised home defence. The result strengthens Brighton’s push for a European place while leaving Brentford with work to do in the mid-table battle.

Match overview

Brighton set the tone early, pressing Brentford’s back line and forcing errors in buildup. The home side’s midfield trio controlled the rhythm of the game, switching play quickly and creating overloads on both flanks. The opener arrived in the 34th minute when João Pedro timed his run perfectly to meet a low cross and finish from close range.

Brentford improved after the break and briefly threatened through set-pieces and quick transitions, but Brighton’s second goal in the 81st minute settled the contest. Mitoma cut inside from the left and found the far corner with a precise finish, capping a performance full of energy and attacking intent.

Key moments

• 34th minute: João Pedro opens the scoring with a close-range finish after a flowing Brighton move.
• 52nd minute: Brentford hit the post through a header from a corner.
• 81st minute: Kaoru Mitoma doubles Brighton’s lead with a curling effort from the left.
• 89th minute: Brighton’s goalkeeper makes a routine save to preserve the clean sheet.

Tactical story

Brighton’s high press forced Brentford into long balls for much of the first half, limiting the visitors’ ability to build through midfield. The home side’s full-backs pushed high and wide, stretching Brentford’s defensive block and creating space for João Pedro to drop into pockets. Brentford’s best moments came from set-pieces, but Brighton defended their box well and limited second-ball opportunities.

Standout players

João Pedro was influential throughout, linking play and scoring the crucial opening goal. Mitoma’s pace and direct running caused problems all evening, and his second-half goal was a deserved reward. Carlos Baleba impressed in midfield with his energy and ball-winning, while Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo was the visitors’ most dangerous outlet despite limited service.

What the result means

The win keeps Brighton in contention for the European places and extends their strong home form. Brentford remain in the middle of the Premier League table, but their away performances will need to improve if they are to push higher. Brighton’s ability to control games with and without the ball has become a hallmark of their season, and this performance was another example of their growing maturity.