Brentford signed for 2024 after struggling to a goalless draw against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Friday.
Amid a flurry of first-half chances at both ends, the Bees came closest to a winner after a VAR review saw Yoane Wissa’s 14th-minute strike disallowed for offside.
However, neither team’s attackers were at their best in a low-key second half, which saw Brentford dig deep to fend off long spells of Brighton pressure and put themselves over the line for a vital point draw away from home.
Although Thomas Frank’s side picked up their second away point of the season and their first since November, Brighton are now winless in six Premier League games.
The draw leaves Brighton 10th in the table, while Brentford move above Tottenham to 11th, just two points behind the Seagulls.
FT: We have to settle for another point.
[0-0] #Bhabare // #BHAFCpic.twitter.com/k027xD3X6S
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 27, 2024
Data Debrief: Joao Pedro’s misfire compounded Brighton’s woes
Frank will be delighted to return to the capital with a rare point away from home, but Fabian Hürzeler will be looking for answers due to his underperforming attack.
With Danny Welbeck and Ivan Ferguson missing through injury, the focus was more on Joao Pedro, with the Brazilian leading the hosts’ attack, supported by Kaoru Mitoma, Julio Nciso and Brajan Gruda.
Nciso hit the post early on, and he attempted eight shots in the game, the joint-highest tally by a player in the Premier League this season. Gruda created five chances in open play, one of only two German players under the age of 21 in a Premier League game this season.
However, the main focus was on the central attacking role, as Joao Pedro managed just one shot on target and an individual xG of just 0.12.
A bright start to the campaign included four Premier League goals in his first six games, but he has now failed to score in his last six starts.
Brentford were forced to replace regular goalkeeper Mark Flecken with Haakon Valdimarsson due to injury just before the break, and apart from a late save to deny Simon Adingra, the Premier League debutant was relatively unscathed.
