Brighton 3 Brentford 3: Mac Allister scores injury-time penalty in thriller as sides share spoils in hunt for Europe
WORLD CUP winner Alexis Mac Allister rescued a point for Brighton with a last-minute penalty in this thrilling European qualification six-pointer.
Seagulls’ third leveller of the match meant both sides leapfrogged Liverpool, who were mauled at Manchester City in an earlier kick-off, in the quest to secure continental competition for the first time next season.
The first-half alone was breathless as Bees saw goals from Pontus Jansson and Ivan Toney cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck.
And when visiting defender Ethan Pinnock prodded his side back in front, Bees boss Thomas Frank must have thought lightning could not striker for a third time.
But of course it did with Argentine Mac Allister keeping his cool to net his tenth goal of the season on all competitions.
The day started with Seagulls, Bees and Liverpool on 42 points, but it ended with the first two of them dreaming that even a Champions League spot might be within their grasp.
Brighton and Brentford have this season been enjoying their days in the Prem sunshine after spending the bulk of their history in the lower divisions.
They have not just been making up the numbers, nor struggling. And Brighton have even reached the FA Cup semi-finals.
Attention and respect are hard-earned by clubs of their ilk, while the so-called glamour clubs bathe in it.
But it has certainly come the way of the Seagulls and Bees this term.
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The hosts have not missed a step under Roberto De Zerbi, being praised for the quality of their football and recruitment.
The visitors have also drawn plaudits for similar reasons with their direct, pressing, organised style and bargain buys such as England striker Ivan Toney and German winger Kevin Schade, a January signing, who made their senior international debuts over the latest break.
That respect has been reflected in both De Zerbi and Frank being linked with the vacant Spurs job following the departure of Antonio Conte from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Sunday, and Kaoru Mitoma and team-mate Evan Ferguson reckoned to be Manchester United targets, while host of Bees players – including Toney and goalkeeper David Raya – having garnered enough kudos to be the subject of possibly leaving west for North London.
So would we be in for a match which would be a feast for the eyes, prepared by in-demand bosses and players, with the added spice of the reported Cold War between rival owners, Brighton’s Tony Bloom and Brentford’s Matthew Benham since the pair had a betting business fall out in the early Noughties?
Well it was more fast food fare than haute cuisine and greasy spoon.
But no one inside the Amex can claim it was not a diet of thrills and spills. Brighton were bright early doors and the electric pace of Mitoma was evident in the opening minutes when he broke onto a through-ball from Pervis Estupinan but the winger’s low ten-yard drive was blocked.
But Bees’ own quick-breaking style paid off when captain Pontus Jansson put them in front after ten minutes.
Mathias Jensen got clear on the left to curl over a near post cross and Jansson climbed above his Brighton counterpart Lewis Dunk to head home.
But the hosts levelled through the irrepressible Mitoma after 21 minutes.
The Japanese international followed the flight of a punt from goalkeeper Jason Steele and hooked the ball over onrushing Bees stopper David Raya and it bounced into the net.
But seconds later Bees were back in front through Toney.
The forward, who netted both goals in Bees’ 2-0 win in the reverse fixture, drilled a low 12-yard drive into the corner from an astute ball from strike-partner Brian Mbuemo.
It was the new England international’s 18th goal of a productive season.
But the Seagulls levelled for a second time six minutes later. Solly March broke in the right with the Bees’ rearguard back-pedalling and cross for Danny Welbeck to bundle home from close range.
Brighton twice went close to going in front for the first time in the closing stages of the first half.
Alexis Mac Allister curled a shot from the edge of the box which Raya clawed away and centre-back Levi Colwill headed over from close range.
Bees hit the front for a third time through Ethan Pinnock within four minutes.
The centre-back was allowed to drift into the six-yard box unopposed to stick out a leg to divert a Mbeumo free-kick into the net.
Brighton had a couple of half-chances with March, twice, and Welbeck going close but Bees’ game management was superb as they frustrated the hosts.
Yet the Seagulls kept coming forward and a superb run and ball from World Cup winner Mac Allister saw right-back Joel Veltman forcing Raya into action with a rasping drive.
And the Spanish international keeper denied a close-range March head as Bees set back and soaked up the pressure.
But Mac Allister equalised from the spot in the last minute after Bees defender Aaron Hickey was adjudged to have handled a close range effort from substitute Facundo Buonanotte after a VAR check.
You can follow how the action unfolded in our live blog below…