Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Brentford: Teenager Jack Hinshelwood earns comeback win for Seagulls
- Published
- comments
Jack Hinshelwood put Brighton ahead with a header shortly after clearing Yoane Wissa's shot off his own line
Teenager Jack Hinshelwood's first senior goal helped Brighton come from behind to claim victory over Brentford, who lost top scorer Bryan Mbeumo to injury.
The Bees took the lead against the run of play when Mbeumo coolly slotted home a 27th-minute penalty after Jan Paul van Hecke fouled Vitaly Janelt.
But Brighton only trailed for four minutes as Pascal Gross struck a fierce drive past Mark Flekken, before Mbeumo departed with a leg injury shortly afterwards.
Hinshelwood, 18, came to the fore early in the second half as he cleared off the line from Yoane Wissa before heading home Gross' lofted cross to give the hosts only their second Premier League win in nine matches.
The result meant Brighton are the first team to score and concede in each of their opening 15 games of a top-flight season since Wolves did so in 16 back in the 1934/35 campaign.
Kaoru Mitoma, one of three changes to the team which lost 3-2 at Chelsea on Sunday, looked characteristically lively in the opening stages with a couple of surging runs into Brentford territory on his return.
The hosts were on top early with Thomas Frank's side happy to sit deep, and Seagulls skipper Gross had a shot deflected wide from a Hinshelwood cross in the first opening.
Brentford had barely left their own half when Janelt dribbled into the Brighton penalty area under little pressure before going down under contact from van Hecke.
The Dutch defender was booked and watched as Mbeumo sent Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele the wrong way from the penalty spot for his seventh goal of the season.
Bryan Mbeumo put Brentford in front with a penalty before injury ended his game in the first half
But Roberto de Zerbi's side responded well and it was Mitoma again who stretched Brentford down the left before passing infield to Gross who took a touch on the edge of the box before shooting powerfully past Flekken.
It got worse for the visitors soon after as Mbeumo was forced off with a leg injury picked up in innocuous fashion as he chased back to make a challenge on Gross.
Wissa replaced the Cameroon international who has been highly influential in the absence of striker Ivan Toney this season and involved in 15 goals in his last 18 Premier League games, scoring 10 and assisting five.
Brighton were almost caught on the counter at the start of the second half as Neal Maupay's shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Wissa, who beat Steele only to see his shot cleared from danger by Hinshelwood.
The teenager then leapt highest at the other end to head Gross' cross back across Flekken to put Brighton in front in the 52nd minute.
Brentford remained an intermittent threat on the counter and from set-pieces, with Ethan Pinnock flashing a header over, but the Seagulls held on for the points.
Hinshelwood shows he is ready for big stage
Sussex-born Hinshelwood, whose father Adam played 100 league games for Brighton between 2002 and 2009, was making only his fifth top-flight appearance and first on home soil.
He showed his strengths at both ends of the pitch within a matter of moments to first prevent Brentford going back in front, and then heading the winner.
"I saw it coming over and it was a great chance to go and attack it," said Hinshelwood. "I probably had my eyes shut but the ball went in the back of the net and that's all that matters. It's an unbelievable feeling.
"It's my first game at the Amex in front of all the fans. I'm delighted to get the goal and three points, it's a brilliant feeling. The fans, the manager and players all show great belief in me and I try to repay that."
Bees face nervous wait on Mbeumo injury
The early loss of Mbeumo was a blow for Brentford and boss Frank is waiting for an update on the extent of his injury.
"He rolled his ankle, we will assess him tomorrow and then we will see the status of it," the Dane added.
Mbeumo's fellow forward Maupay said it was important for other players to step up.
"Bryan is one of our best players so to see him getting off wasn't nice," he added. "It's a tough day for us lose the game and lose Bryan.
"We obviously missed him but it's not an excuse. No matter who is on the pitch we should be able to create chances. Hopefully it's not too bad and he'll be back soon."