Brighton celebrated James Milner’s record-breaking day with three points against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Goals from Danny Welbeck and Diego Gomez secured the victory, which eased pressure that had been mounting on the division’s youngest manager, Fabian Hurzeler.
Daily Mail Sport’s GETHIN HICKS was in position to analyse the action.
Crisis, what crisis?
If this Brighton side is one in crisis under their German boss, you wouldn’t have known it on Saturday afternoon in west London.
One win in 13 read their record heading into the clash. No goals in three matches. Just how they managed a run so barren is a mystery.
The Seagulls were back at their fluid, free-flowing best on Saturday and found themselves 2-0 up before the interval. In truth, it could have been more.
Kaoru Mitoma was a joy to watch on the left-wing. Poor old Aaron Hickey, hooked before the interval with injury, simply couldn’t cope.
Brighton celebrated James Milner’s record-breaking day with three points against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium
Diego Gomez scored the Seagulls opener with a side-footed effort after a rebound off the crossbar
Danny Welbeck later ended a run of no goals in seven when he lashed in a chance he simply couldn’t miss after some truly calamitous defending from Nathan Collins
The Japanese could, and should, have scored the opener when he burst in behind and had a close-range effort saved by Caoimhin Kelleher early on.
Eventually it was the man deployed behind him, Ferdi Kadioglu, who orchestrated Brighton’s first. His long-range, curled effort crashed into the bar on 30 minutes and rebounded to fan-favourite Diego Gomez, who side-footed home.
Then, on the stroke of half-time, Danny Welbeck ended a run of no goals in seven when he lashed in a chance he simply couldn’t miss after some truly calamitous defending from Nathan Collins.
This was a result Hurzeler desperately needed. A deserved and defiant victory amid mounting pressure from supporters. One which, he will hope, buys him time on the south coast.
A blip for Brentford
For Keith Andrews and the Brentford faithful, this result can go down as more of a blip than a cause for concern.
The Bees headed into the clash without a loss in four games on a run which saw them overcome Newcastle United and Aston Villa. They ran table-toppers Arsenal close too.
However the red-and-whites were off the pace on Saturday and, against a clinical Brighton frontline, were punished.
Igor Thiago was as bustling and determined as ever and, amid a wave of Brentford crosses, went close more than once. Had he found the back of the net with a cleanly struck half-volley before the break, Brentford’s fortunes could have been different, but that effort sailed into the stands.
For Keith Andrews and the Brentford faithful, this result can go down as a more of a blip than a cause for concern
They were off the pace on Saturday and, against a Brighton side back to their best, were punished
Dirtied, limping and flanked by Brighton’s medical staff, Milner was replaced to a standing ovation from the visiting supporters on 87 minutes. Some in the home end rose to their feet, too
In the past two seasons, the Bees have scored 10 goals from Michael Kayode’s monster long throw-in. No other Premier League side has scored more than four. The full-back was absent on Saturday with injury, and his side missed him.
Despite the defeat, Brentford remain in a European spot. This was an off day, but better are to come for Keith Andrews and his players.
Milner’s landmark occasion
It was 24 years ago that James Milner made his Premier League debut as a sprightly 16-year-old midfielder for Leeds United in November 2002.
To put that into context for those of you into television, season two of Ricky Gervais’ The Office had just finished. Meanwhile Jack Hinshelwood, Milner’s midfield partner at the Gtech, would not be born for another three years.
The version of Milner who broke the Premier League appearance record – surpassing Gareth Barry – this week is far different to the pacey teenager who burst onto the scene all those years ago, but still just as effective.
Deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, the Englishman hardly put a foot wrong.
Dirtied, limping and flanked by Brighton’s medical staff, he was replaced to a standing ovation from the visiting supporters on 87 minutes. Some in the home end rose to their feet, too.
Milner does not seem like someone who craves the limelight but on this occasion, it is all his.
‘I think he’s a great leader on the pitch, a great communicator, he understands the game quite well, and on top of that he’s still super fit,’ the Brighton manager said post-match.
‘I don’t know what he’s doing, to get this fitness. Every week, in every training session he runs the most, he sprints the most, and therefore it’s not a surprise for me that he’s capable of these performances.’
