03 April 2024 , 20:50
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Brentford and Brighton could not be separated on a night that will only be remembered for a VAR rarity.
A point will not do much to move the dial for either side as Thomas Frank’s Bees, with one win in 11, continue to peer nervously down at the bottom three and Roberto de Zerbi’s Albion, victorious in only one of their past 10 away days, face a battle to the wire to seal another campaign in Europe.
Neither were at their sharpest here and the game’s only talking point arrived on the stroke of half time when referee Andrew Madley was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Michael Oliver to review a tussle between Yoane Wissa and Lewis Dunk in the Brentford penalty area.
But replays showed that Dunk pulled the home forward’s shirt first and instead of pointing to the spot, the ref gave Brighton ’s skipper a firm talking to. It was just the second time all season that a VAR recommendation was rejected by the referee - after Darren England initially awarded Aston Villa a penalty against Crystal Palace.
It took half an hour of sizing each other up for the first clear chances to arrive. But Ivan Toney should have put Brentford in front having turned Jan Paul van Hecke only to strike tamely at Bart Verbruggen when off balance.
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In response Joao Pedro, back after nine games out with injury, and Facundo Buonanotte drew saves from Mark Flekken.
That led to a period of Albion dominance approaching the interval as Igor Julio, Adam Lallana and Simon Adingra all tried their luck from range - before Madley's moment restored some faith in the VAR process.
With Pascal Gross the standout in midfield, Brighton continued to dominate possession and territory when the game resumed - though Buonanotte and Lallana should have offered more with swipes at goal.
Lewis Dunk pulls up Kristoffer Ajer during Brentford and Brighton's scoreless draw.At the opposite end Toney, who held the ball up well when sporadically called into action, cut a frustrated figure as Brentford counterattacks grew increasingly rare and he drilled a promising free kick from 25 yards high and wide.
Yet the introduction of Bryan Mbeumo, who is being eased into action having injured an ankle in early December, with a little less than 20 minutes remaining provided the Bees with a spark.
The Cameroon forward immediately had a shot blocked by Van Hacke, while Kristoffer Ajer produced a fine sliding challenge to deny Brighton substitute Danny Welbeck entering the final stages. But the deadlock would not be broken. That preserved a first home clean sheet for Brentford since mid-October.
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